Hi IMs
I'm a 21yo single mum to a 1yo and I'm moving from NZ to Queensland in about a months time. I'm just wondering if I'm eligible for any financial assistance over there? I'll be going with a small amount of savings to live on for a while, and I plan on going straight into work but it would be nice knowing whether that option is there for help if I needed it. TIA
6 Replies
I don't think so as you won't be an Australian citizen. Honestly I wouldn't move unless you already have a job. The job market in Australia is not great at the moment.
Plus if you are planning to work how will you afford child care etc without the government rebates?
But the best place to confirm this is to look at the Centrelink website.
I don't think so because I've seen lots of posts from mums from nz who are now stuck in a situation here because they can't go home with their kids and they can't leave him and stay here until they can get full time work and they don't really want to be all alone and working full time so they just stay and try to get his permission to take the kids home to new Zealand.
My step sister is one of those, very frustrating situation for all involved. Had her baby very young, 18, to a man 16 years her senior. Two years down the track he has cheated numerous times etc etc she left him and struggled along for a long time trying to work without a license etc etc. Nearly 3 years down the track the child is at school and she has had her license a year or so now and has made it this far, not easy though by any means!
I'm a kiwi living in Aus and yes you do get CCR and CCB, also FTB part A and B (if you are part of a couple, I'm not sure how FTB works if you are single) you cannot get disability or single parent pension. So as far as childcare goes you will qualify for the benefits and rebates. As far as any other assistance goes as a single kiwi there's not much. However if you plan on working theres no need to worry about that. Good luck!
If you're 21 and likely to settle with an Australian partner and possibly have more kids and even if not, settling yourself and child here, it is a big consideration to not have any safety net or be getting yourself into a situation out of your control.
You will have to look on the centrelink website, if you come over after a certain date you aren't entitled to anything and Im sure there are restrictions if you are coming over here and going straight on centrelink benefits.