Living in Australia

Household
In 1999, a migrant who had lived in Australia for less than 2 years spent an average of Australian Dollars AUD$930 per week on household expenses for 3 people.

Rental
As a guide, a 4 bedroom house in an good suburb in Perth, Western Australia, can cost around AUD$300 per week.

Employment in Australia
Between 1999 to 2000, overseas migrants had an estimated unemployment rate of around 16% in the first 4 to 6 months. The unemployment rate fell thereafter.

Social Security
Newly arrived migrants have to live in Australia as permanent residents for 2 years before being eligible for most social security payments. These include unemployment & sickness benefits, student allowances & a number of other payments. A payment called Special Benefit may be available during the waiting period if you are in hardship because of substantial changes of circumstances beyond your control (e.g. you become widowed, disabled).

Pension
In general, only people who have been Australian residents for 10 years are eligible for age or disability pensions. However, this does not apply if you become disabled after becoming an Australian resident.

Assistance for families with children
New migrants with dependent children may qualify for Family Tax Benefit and/or Child Care Benefit. These payments help with the cost of raising children. There is no waiting period for these family assistance payments but you must hold a permanent visa to qualify.

Health
The Australian Government provides help with medical expenses and hospital care through a scheme called Medicare. Medicare contributes towards the cost of most medical services. It also provides free accommodation & treatment in public hospitals if you enter a public hospital as a Medicare patient.

Newly arrived migrants have to live in Australia as permanent residents for 2 years before being eligible for most social security payments. These include unemployment & sickness benefits, student allowances & a number of other payments. A payment called Special Benefit may be available during the waiting period if you are in hardship because of substantial changes of circumstances beyond your control (e.g. you become widowed, disabled).

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