Social Security

As in most rich and developed countries, the government offers a security net for its citizens and permanent residents encompassing a range of services and payments like family assistance payment, child care payments, unemployment assistance, retirement income, maternity payments and a host of other services.

New migrants with dependent children may be eligible to receive family assistance payments to help the cost of raising children. Generally this is available only for permanent resident visa holders. These payments are intended only as an income supplement and do not provide enough to live on.

Most newly arrived migrants have to live in Australia as permanent residents for at least 2 years to avail of other social security payments like unemployment assistance, Newstart allowance, sickness allowance, education assistance etc.

Centrelink is the government agency that provides all above assistances to permanent residents and citizens of Australia.

Newly arrived migrants should register with Centrelink as soon as possible to get more information about eligible payments, job search support services and other benefits.