As announced in the 2021/22 budget, migrants granted a relevant permanent or temporary visa may need to wait up to four years to be eligible for Australian welfare payments.
Proposed changes
If the legislation is passed, the following payments will be affected:
– Carer Payment
– Carer Allowance
– Family Tax Benefit A
– Family Tax Benefit B
– Parental Leave Pay
– Dad and Partner Pay
Currently, the Carer Allowance and Family Tax Benefit have a waiting period of one year. The Carer Payment, Dad and Partner Pay and Parent Leave Pay have a waiting period of two years.
This measure will also ensure that the existing four-year waiting period for concession cards is applied consistently to relevant temporary visa holders, in line with permanent visa holders.
If passed these changes will apply to visa applicants granted the relevant visa on or after 1 January 2022. Anyone granted a visa prior to 1 January 2022 will not be affected.
Migrants arriving in Australia on humanitarian visas will not be affected. Any existing exemptions from the waiting period will remain in place for vulnerable migrants, including those who have experienced changes in their circumstances or are in financial hardship.
If you have any questions about the changes to the newly arrived resident’s waiting period or any other aspect of migration, contact Visa Solutions on 1800 828 008 or send us an email
