on this page
Who can get payments
To get most Centrelink payments or concession cards in Australia, you must meet all of the following criteria:
- be an Australian resident
- meet the eligibility rules for the payment
- serve any waiting periods.
What payments you can get
Which payments you can claim depends on the visa you have.
You must also meet criteria for the payment or card you claim.
When you hold a permanent residence visa
A permanent residence visa lets you live in Australia and will allow you to claim any Centrelink payment or concession card.
When you hold a Special Category visa (SCV)
Protected SCV holders
If you live in Australia and you are a protected SCV holder, you can claim any Centrelink payment or concession card.
Non-protected SCV holders
If you live in Australia and you are a non-protected SCV holder, you may be able to claim the following:
- Family Tax Benefit
- Newborn Upfront Payment and Newborn Supplement
- Single Income Family Supplement
- Child Care Subsidy
- Double Orphan Pension
- Health Care Card.
If you have served, or have an exemption from the newly arrived resident’s waiting period, you may also be able to claim:
- Low Income Health Care Card
- Foster Child Health Care Card
- Commonwealth Seniors Health Card
- Parental Leave Pay
- Dad and Partner Pay
- Assistance for Isolated Children.
If you’ve lived in Australia continuously for at least 10 years, you may be able to get a one off period of payment. This is a single period of up to 6 months for one of the following payments:
You may also be able to get the Tertiary Access Payment.
The continuous 10-year period of living in Australia needs to be immediately before claiming.
You may be eligible to apply directly for Australian citizenship if you:
- are a non-protected SCV holder
- have lived in Australia for more than 4 years
- arrived in Australia after 26 February 2001.
Find out more about New Zealand citizens becoming Australian citizens on the Department of Home Affairs website.
Other services
Use the Workforce Australia employment services to help you look for work. At Workforce Australia you can use computers, newspapers, and other facilities.
Read more about Workforce Australia on their website.
When you claim under an international agreement
We have an agreement with New Zealand that may help you meet eligibility rules. It allows New Zealand citizens living in Australia to claim the following payments:
- Age Pension
- Disability Support Pension if you have a severe disability
- Carer Payment if you’re the partner of a disability support pensioner.