Welfare

Social welfare assistance in Australia is generally in line with those in most Western Countries. Provision is made for pensions on retirement, child care allowances, unemployment benefits, and a variety of other benefits. It needs to be stated that the funds made available are not sufficient to live on and maintain a reasonable lifestyle.

The Department of Human Services controls social welfare in Australia and incorporates six agencies, which are briefly outlined below.

1. Centrelink is a government agency delivering a range of Commonwealth services to the Australian community. Centrelink is set up so people can get more of the assistance they need in one place. Particular subsidies for other departments such as Agriculture may be administrated under Centrelink.

     Departments integrated into Centrelink include:

• Department of Families, Community Services & Indigenous Affairs,
• Department of Employment and Workplace Relations,
• Department of Transport and Regional Services,
• Department of Veterans' Affairs,
• Department of Health and Ageing,
• Department of Education, Science and Training,
• Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry,
• Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade,
• Department of Communication, Information Technology & the Arts,
• Department of Immigration, Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs.

Centrelink has assistance packages available for individuals that are studying or training. These are only available to Permanent Visa holders. If newly arrived residents have a two year waiting period for any Centrelink payments.
There are two allowances for individuals that may apply. ‘Youth Allowance’ when aged between 16 and 24 and ‘Austudy Payment’ when aged over 25.

2. Medicare Australia information is covered on our Health Care page.

3. The Child Support Agency is set up to ensure the children of separated parents receive financial support from both parents

4. The Commonwealth Rehabilitation Service Australia (CRS) assists people with an injury or a disability to find or return to work.

5. Australian Hearing improves the quality of life for people with a hearing impairment by providing hearing aid technology.

6. Health Services Australia delivers expertise and experience in medical advisory, assessment and health screening services.
‘Centrelink’ and the Family Assistance Office provides a Guide to Payments booklet which details eligibility, requirements, rates of payment and income limits for Family Tax Benefits and Child Care Benefits.

Family Tax Benefit

There are two types of Family Tax Benefit available, these are ‘Family Tax Benefit A’ and
‘Family Tax Benefit B’.

Eligibility requirements are:

• To be an Australian citizen or
• To have a permanent residential visa or
• To have a particular temporary visa - known as "spouse provisional" or "interdependency" or "temporary protection" visas.

Family Tax Benefit A assists families with the costs associated with raising children. This benefit may be calculated to include Large Family Supplement, Multiple Birth Allowance, Parenting Payment, Carer Allowance and other.
The amount of benefit depends on:

• Your family’s income.
• Number and age of your children.
• If you pay private rent.
• If you or your partner are receiving child support.

Family Tax Benefit B assists families living on a single income or sole parents with the costs associated with raising children. It also provides additional assistance to parents with children below the age of five years. Single income families receive the maximum rate of payment. Two parent families may receive payment in addition to the ‘Family Tax Benefit A’.

Child Care benefits

Child Care Benefits are available to assist with the cost of long day care, family day care, and occasional care, outside school hour’s care, vacation care and registered care.
Eligibility requirements are:

• To be an Australian citizen or
• To have a permanent residential visa or
• To have a particular temporary visa - known as "spouse provisional" or "interdependency" or "temporary protection" visas.
• To be an overseas student sponsored by the Australian Government.
• To be a non-resident experiencing hardship or special circumstances.