Short-term access to Newstart Allowance, Youth Allowance or Sickness Allowance for SCV holders from New Zealand

From 26 February 2011, New Zealand citizens who are the holders of a Special Category Visa (SCV) who arrived in Australia after 26 February 2001 may be exempt from the residence requirements and able to qualify for a one-off period of payment for up to 6 months of either Newstart Allowance, Youth Allowance or Sickness Allowance (subject to other qualification requirements).

To access these provisions, New Zealand citizens must have resided in Australia continuously for at least 10 years, which commenced on or after 26 February 2001. A temporary absence such as a holiday can be included in the 10 years but any break during which the person ceased to reside in Australia will start the 10 year clock again.

If eligible, payment of Newstart Allowance, Youth Allowance or Sickness Allowance can be made for a maximum continuous period of up to 6 months.  In most cases, if a person stops receiving the payment for any reason within the 6 month period, the payment cannot be restarted while holding a SCV.  Transfer from one payment type to another within the 6 month period is not permitted.

If a New Zealand citizen is granted another visa they will not be entitled to payment under these conditions and would need to meet the existing eligibility rules for these payments.  A two-year waiting period would also apply under these circumstances.

New Zealand citizens on short term income support in Australia will also have access to employment services under Job Services Australia, providing they meet the same eligibility requirements as other job seekers.  Employment services available to job seekers under Job Services Australia may include training, work experience and other interventions to help job seekers, particularly those with higher barriers to employment, gain suitable employment. Eligibility for assistance under Job Services Australia will cease when the job seeker loses eligibility for Newstart, Youth or Sickness Allowance.

More detailed information about these changes is available on Centrelink’s website or by calling Centrelink on 13 2490 (or 13 1202 for multilingual services, Monday to Friday 8.00am to 5.00pm).