Forum Category: Government Assistance

Specialist care

I'm seeing a Rheumatologist for arthritis here in NZ and I'm on govt subsidised meds (Biologic called Enbrel) and Methotrexate. Is it very expensive to see specialists and does medicare help cover any of the costs? TIA

My husband is a nz citizen we have been married 24yrs, he wants to move to Aus he's 66 and I'm 65, he can claim the age pension there but I'm a permanent resident here in NZ I have a British passport, been here 50yrs, am I able to stay in Aus with him.

Do I need to apply differently or can I just apply with him as his partner, will I need any other visa's I'm so confused, everybody tells us different things. He wants to move soon but it will take months to get my NZ citizenship. His children and grandchildren all ...

Planning move to Australia Next year. Needs some general question answered.

Hi, I am planning to move to Australia sometime next year on work VISA and I and my family(wife and one kid) have NZ permanent resident VISA. Can someone please answer following questions, so that I can decide whether it is the right move or not: 1) Will I get ...

Assistance or support for NZer living in Australia facing hard times.

Hi, hopefully someone can give me some advice. My brother lives in Brisbane. He moved there from NZ in the late 1980's. He met someone and had a son in 1995. His partner died of cancer around 2004 and he has raised his son on his own. He has struggled ...

My daughter in law has a chronic illness, will medicare take care of her?

My son and daughter in law, along with their 15 month old daughter, are moving to Australia (Gold Coast) early next month. She has Chroinc Kidney disease and is needing a transplant. Will Medicare take care of her or will she be declinded?

Am I entitled to any government assistance if I move back to OZ?

I was born in Australia mum is kiwi, dad was born in NZ but had lived 20 plus years in OZ. My mum moved me back to NZ when I was a baby I have an Australian Birth certificate & traveled to NZ on an Australian Passport but now have ...

Can a grandma move a grandchild to Australia from NZ after being involved with working for families?

Can a grandma move a grandchild to Australia from NZ after being involved with working for families (SIFs)?

single nz guy live australia since 1984, went back to nz 2012 for two years

hi l was living in Australia from 1984 to 2012 as a Australian resident, and l went back to NZ in 2012, l want to go back to Australia now 2014 can l apply for new start or unemployment benefit when l get there. l might point out too that ...

Applying for family tax benefits in Melbourne

What documents do I need for my 4 kids and I? And would I first need to apply for a tax number before I can access any family tax benefits? Do you have to be working to qualify, as I will be looking for work in the meantime? Can my ...

I left Australia owing money to Centrelink. What will happen if I return?

I lived in Australia about 12 years ago and received Centrelink payments, I rang and cancelled them before I left but Centrelink still paid me for a couple of weeks. I was young and stupidly spent the money. I'm guessing it would be around the $2000-$3000 mark (for me and ...

Is there any assistance for my 19yr old who is NZ citizen?

I've been living in Australia for 18 months and my 19 yr old is moving over to be with us. Is there any assistance she could apply for or can I add her to my family tax benefit.

Can my autistic son be enrolled at a mainstream or special school on arrival?

I doubt Australian govt welcomes foriegner (esp. children) with disability in its territory because it is gonna cost them heaps to care for them. So I guess it is free for non-disabled kiwi kids to enrol at Australian school whereas it is not free for the disabled. I ALSO heard ...

Can New Zealanders get the age pension in Australia?

My husband and I are well into our 50s and are planning to move to Brisbane. From what we've seen on this site we probably wouldn't get PR status in Australia. So what happens when we reach retirement age - can we get the pension in Australia that we would ...

Can I claim ACC in Australia?

Hi, if I'm on permanent ACC, can I claim it in Australia? And do they have a reciprocal arrangement with the NZ government? Thanks

Are NZ citizens receiving a pension in Australia subsidised for aged care facilities?

Child with Cochlear Implant

We have a daughter with a Cochlear Implant and am trying to find out if we are eligible for paid ongoing care and habilitation for her when we move to Australia. I have emailed the Hear & Say Centre in Australia but have not yet had a reply so trying ...

Is your income covered in an accident in Australia , or do you need insurance e.g, car crash, slipping in the shower etc.

I have heard that it's not, but I can't find anything online to confirm.

Medicare Proof Doccuments

Hello, I have moved to Australia and am looking to apply for a Medicare card. It implies on the their website that they require documents from another country and that they have to be "certified" documents. I am found that most documents are being emailed these days in NZ and ...

I'm on the DPB in New Zealand with 3 dependents and want to move to sunny Australia. What if any help am I able to receive from the Australian government?

I am a solo mother.

Help after serious illness

My son is dealing with a life threatening illness, he has lived in Australia for 17 months and will need financial assistance once he leaves hospital until he gets back to work. Anyone know what is available.

Moving to Australia pregnant

hi, My Australian husband and I are looking to move to Australia at the end of the year, from Switzerland. We would like to start trying for a baby but are worried that it's not a good idea financially. I have a spouse visa and I'm currently working full time ...

NZ Citizen on dialysis looking to move to Australia. Is a medicare number needed for dialysis treatment at public hospital?

Can't get medicare number till he arrives but yet hospital asking for medicare number. Can't wait till gets medicare as needs dialysis treatment 3 days a week and can't risk having him sit there in limbo waiting for medicare number.

Is a NZ citizen living in Aust entitled to a NZ student loan if studying as an international student

Can my temporary resident (sub class 461) husband be able to a medicare card and car loans?

I am an NZ citizen but my husband isn't. He has a temporary resident visa that allows him to work, live and study for 5 years in Australia. We want to move to Brisbane in the next 3 months. The site has a lot of very helpful information. If anyone ...

On moving to Australia do nz citizens qualify for family assistance?

My partner and i are currently discussing moving to Auzi... We are both young (19) and have two sons (1 and 2). I am a full time Massey student and from my understanding can continue my studies in Auzi. As i study full time i do not work only my ...

Disability Australia

I am a NZ Citizen on a disability pension. When I move to Australia will I still get my disability pension?

Is there any help in Australia for New Zealand-born kids with disabilities??

Husband is NZ citizen w/permanent NZ residency and wife is an Indian. We are now pregnant.

Hi, We are living in Australia from the last 7 months and my wife is on subclass 461 visa ( NZ dependent visa). Since she is on subclass 461, she is not eligible for Medicare facilities also since we took medical insurance last Sept only, so medical insurance team is ...

Can I get family assistance/working for families in Australia?

I am a Kiwi solo mum about to move to Australia with my 7-year-old daughter and wondered if there is any working for families assistance that I might qualify for whilst working in Australia? Thank you

Have any New Zealand invalid beneficiaries moved to Australia?

I am currently on the NZ Invalids Benefit. I understand under the reciprical agreement between NZ & Australia that I am able to continue getting this in Australia when I move (I have family in Australia). I would love some advice from anyone who has gone through this transition from ...

Can I study in Australia with the subclass 461 visa?

I have been granted the 461 visa in Australia. It says in my visa I can live, work and study in Australia. Am I eligible to study with similar benefits as New Zealand citizen? I want to take short courses in Australia. Do my fees get subsidised by the Australian ...

I'm a New Zealand citizen that has lived in Australia for 28 years. Can I move back to New Zealand and claim benefits?

I'm Australian, am i entitled to government assistant if I've been living in NZ?

I am an australian citizen but have been living in new zealand for the past 20 + years, i am wanting to move over and study in Australia as soon as possible. Am i entitled to any government assistant such as student loans or allowance?

Can a New Zealand citizen apply for rent assistance in Australia?

Do I still get ACC in Australia?

I receive weekly payments from ACC in New Zealand. If I move to Australia do I keep getting these payments?

Do Kiwis living in Australia qualify for any ECE (Early Childhood Education) subsidy?

Soon to be 50 wanting to go live in Aussie permanently should I make a claim for taxes?

I want to leave New Zealand to live maybe permanently in Brisbane Australia. I looked up on a site that said when claiming leaving taxes you will be unable to return to NZ to work for 3 yrs. Can anyone tell me why this is, or is it because they ...

As a Kiwi, am I eligible for student loan and student allowance in Australia?

Australian father, Kiwi mother with two NZ born babies

My partner is an Australian citizen and I'm a New Zealander. We had our two children in NZ but now after 5 years we are ready to move back to Australia. Could anyone clarify our entitlements and assistance we would get when we arrive?? Our children are 3 years and ...

Am I entitled to a benefit in Australia like I am in New Zealand with a newborn baby?

I'm currently living in Christchurh New Zealand & need to move away. But I need to know if I'm entitled to a benefit like I am here in NZ?

Government assistance for Kiwis in Australia

Can I get child support in Australia?

How costly is support care for my disabled partner?

At the moment I get home support carers for 4 hours for my disabled partner. He can walk, they help to get him to gym and assist him in cooking, and get him to his doctors appointments or other activities.

Moving from NZ to Melbourne: If I don't find a Job can I apply for DPB until I get a job?

Currently working in nz have recieved DPB here for 6 mths while between jobs, Can you get this in melbourne or long do you have live in Oz before you can get this.

Moving to Australia with my two young children - can I get any government assistance?

I have two children 5yrs and 1yr old. I'm a single mother who is looking at moving to Aussie to settle down and find work over there. The father of my children was born in Australia but is living in NZ (not sure if that has any relevance) but would ...

please help with child care benefit

hi can a mum on subclass 461 gets a child care of australian born baby with nz citizen as my hasband is nz citizen with subclass 444 and iam non nz citizen with subclass 461 thanks

I'm a solo mum with an 11-year-old boy and I want to study beauty therapy on the Gold Coast.

Do I have to actually pay for the course myself or can the government help in any way? And is there any kind of benefit I can get while studying?

Can I get a student loan if I have permanent residence in Australia?

Does the Australian government give NZ citizens a house rent free to live in while you wait for them to get you a job?

Is it like NZ where the government helps with housing and finding a job for you?

Can i have australia baby bonus if my husband and i and my 8 months old baby move to australia from new zealand? And we are new zealander.

I've heard that if my husband and i move to autralia with my 8 months old baby we still can receive baby bonus in australia, is it true?

Are my parents eligible for the pension, medicare, and concession card?

My parents are NZ citizens living there for the last 10 years , my mum was about 55, and dad was 65, when they migrated to nz. now they want to come to Australia as they have 4 children living here. Are they eligible to get the pension in Australia? ...

New Zealand senior citizens moving to Australia with a South African pension.

My parents are New Zealand citizens on a South African pension and will not be working in Australia if we move there. Can anyone offer any info/advice on whether they will face any surprise costs or taxes? General advice about settling in is also welcome. I don't want this move ...

I'm moving to Australia, but I will have child support in NZ to pay.

What are the procedures I should take, forms I should fill out. What do the IRD need to know. Any other advice for an honest bloke who only works to pay his child support and can barely survive off the wage he is earning to support himself?

A friend has Parkinsons and is considering moving to OZ to be near family how would she get on?

She is able to pay for her own carer's if needed, just wondering if she would be allowed to come to OZ with this condition, thanks in advance

we are only 57yrs old! will we be able to get the penison in Aussie when we retire! thanks

NZ Retirees wishing to move to Australia

Anyone have info on this topic?

Need information on NZ Superannuants moving to Australia.

Can we transfer our NZ Govt Super to Australia? How long do we have to be away from NZ or in Australia? We are 67 and 72 respectively.

Can we move to Australia with the sale proceeds from the house and still be entitled to Family Assistance etc?

Do I need to return to New Zealand annually to claim my age pension?

I have lived in NZ all my life but am moving to Australia for my health. Do I have to return to New Zealand on an annual basis to be able to claim my pension?

Moving to Melbourne with special needs child?

We are moving to melbourne next year. Our 8 yo Daughter has down syndrome and attends a main stream school with the support of a funded teacher aide. Will she be entitled to something similar under this recipricol agreement between the countries?

I'm under the impression from the Studylink website that I can get a student allowance while full-time distance learning from Open Polytech in OZ. Has anyone done this???

We are planning to move to Oz while I am still finishing papers off on my degree from Open Polytechnic (via distance learning). I'm pretty sure I am eligable for a stundent allowance after reading this page on their website: http://www.studylink.govt.nz/financing-study/student-allowance/index.html To get the Student Allowance for study overseas your ...

I am from New Zealand, I am 24 years old and want to study Beauty Therapy in Australia, NSW. Am I entitled to any student allowance or loan?

How much do childcare centres charge per week approximately in Queensland?

Townsville to be exact. If I'm working, can I get subsidised for these costs or do I need to wait 2 years?

If I move to Australia from New Zealand with my 3-year-old daughter, do I get any childcare costs subsidised by the Australian Government?

Moving to Perth - can we receive family assistance?

Hi, we are planing to move to Perth in the 1st quarter of 2010. My husband is currently looking for work. We are a family consisting of 2 adults and 4 children aged 5 1/2, 2 1/2, 1 1/2. Just wondering if there is family assistance like we receive in ...

I was born in Australia but moved to NZ when I was 7. I have been living in NZ for 22 years and want to move back with my husband and 2 young boys. Would we be entitled to any family assistance?

As a Kiwi citizen moving to Australia, can one get cancer treatment whilst living there and an invalids benefit?

I have advanced breast cancer and have to have treatments every 3 weeks for the rest of my life. I have met a lovely person who lives in Aussie and we would like to pursue a relationship. In order to do this, I am the one that has to move. ...

How to claim my aged pension from New Zealand?

Now married for 3 years to my Australian wife and I will be 65 in April 2011 and need to apply for my aged pension from New Zealand, as I am not entitled to a benefit in Australia. My wife is on a disability pension. I have no employment here ...

Can a Dutch-born New Zealand resident apply for any kind of pension if their visas are accepted in Australia?

My Parents are Dutch and are New Zealand residents. My br and I live here, my sister also wants to move with her family but not with my parents. i think they are allowed to move here on that basis from what I understand from the immigration website, otherwise if ...

Are family support payments available for new arrivals that haven't yet found work, coming from New Zealand? Also are rents competitive in Adelaide? Will we find a rental relatively easily and cheaply? Thank you.

Can I claim youth allowance as soon as I arrive?

I was born in Australia but when I was 6 months old I went to South America to live with my grandmother who brought me up. I am now 20 - can I go to Australia to study and claim the allowance as soon as I arrive?

Do my children (New Zealanders) qualify for free health care?

What is the best way for me to get to Australia asap? I have NZ residency, my husband is Australian living in NZ for all his life. Can we apply for family assistance straight away?

I'm receiving the disability pension. Can I move to Australia on a holiday visa and keep my pension?

Me and my boyfriend want to move to Australia for a year but I'm receiving the disability pension. He wants to go and work but won't go without me. I was wondering if I could go on a holiday visa and keep my disability pension??

Hi - I just moved over from Christchurch. I'm wanting to get my truck licenses mr/hr. Just wondering if I'm able to get any help with costs as I'm not working yet?

Are there any benefits for a Kiwi moving to Australia? If so, what?

Wondering about benefits such as payments for unemployment, solo parent, sickness etc.

NZ citizen in Australia made redundant. Is there any help from Work and Income?

Hi there, we moved to Australia 4 years ago and never applied for permanent residence. My husband was made redundant 8 months ago and that's when we were made aware that there is no help for NZ citizens from Centerlink. I was wondering, is there any way to get help ...

My husband and I are NZ citizens. Very soon we will move to Adelaide. Can we receive any support like job seeker allowances and support for accommodation?

We will register with Centrelink, but while looking for a job, can we receive financial support for living costs and rent?

Can I receive family assistance as a solo mum?

Are we entitled to family support service payments when we move to Australia from New Zealand?

Having my baby in Australia - am I entitled to any kind of benefit?

I'm pregnant at the moment and want to have my baby in Australia. Am I entitled to any kind of benefit?

I am a Kiwi and also an Australian Citizen by descent. I'm a single parent of one child planning to move to Australia. I have never lived there before. Will I qualify for Australian benefits straight away or will I still have the two-year stand-down period?

I intend to work full time, but would like know the benefits or assistance available (if any) whether I'm working full-time, part-time or not at all as a single parent.

In simple terms, what is the eligibility process for Living Away from Home Allowances?

Can you still get the baby bonus if you are due to give birth within 2 months of moving to Australia?

Do I need to apply for permanent residency to get the subsidy on a TAFE course?

I am 17 years old and have just enrolled into TAFE. I was told that even though I am a NZ citizen and have lived here in Australia for 5 years I have to show proof of permanent residency for the course fee subsidy. Do I need to apply for ...

Benefits to help with the cost of moving to Australia?

I'm a permanent New Zealand resident looking to move to Australia for Work/Study. What kind of benefits are available to assist me with the financial blow involved in relocating?

Does a Kiwi who entered Australia after 2002 qualify for the first time home buyers grant?

If my partner has child support arrears, how do we go about paying them from Australia?

I'm planning on moving to Australia from the US. Can I get social security and rent help?

How would that work out if I move to Australia? I also have a 13-year-old daughter.

Will Australia top up our NZ old age pension?

We have been told Australia will top up our NZ old age pension to Australian level. But since I don't qualify for the old age pension yet, what happens? Do I get the married couple benefit that I would in NZ? Or does my husband who will soon qualify for ...

How long do you need to live in Australia before you are eligible for the Australian Pension or to be an Australian citizen?

Looking at moving to WA to live and work. Can I get help with childcare subsidies as I do in New Zealand?

If I have fines in New Zealand, can Centrelink help me pay them? I am a Kiwi who just moved to Australia 2 days ago.

My husband and I are in our 50s and are planning to move to Brisbane. What happens when we reach retirement age - can we get the pension in Australia that we would get as of right in NZ at age 65? We are NZ citizens.

How much are the child support payments in Australia?

How much is the child support payment New Zealand citizens get in Australia? One child is 14 years old, one is 6 years old and one is 8 years old.

Is there a childcare subsidy in Australia similar to the OSCAR subsidy through WINZ in NZ?

I am looking at moving to Melbourne but I want to know if there is a subsidy for school aftercare like in NZ. If so, do you have be in Australia for 2 years before you are eligible?

How can Kiwis studying in Australia get student benefits?

If my Kiwi kids want to go to university in Australia there are no student benefits and fees have to be paid up front. Does anyone know where they can get university fees from? We have lived in Australia almost 5 years but have to apply for residency after the ...

Is there such a thing as a living away from home allowance for New Zealanders?

I have a house and business in NZ but will be heading to Australia indefinitely. I've heard I may be able to get a subsidy on my accommodation while living there: LAFHA or something like that. But I can't find it anywhere?

Do they have a student loan scheme in Brisbane? If so, are Kiwi students able to take a loan for tertiary study?

I am New Zealand Citizen and a university student. I want to move to Australia - can I get a student loan there like I get in NZ?

What benefits will be available to me in Australia as a soon-to-be single parent?

I'm looking into migrating to Australia from New Zealand to be with my parents in Perth. I am pregnant and will be a single parent, so I wish to know what benefits are available for someone in my situation? What will I qualify for?

Child disability allowance in Australia

We have 2 kids, one with a disability. Do you know if you get more disability entitlements in Australia than in New Zealand?

Are there any accommodation supplements in Australia for low income earners?

Can Kiwis claim child support payments from Centrelink?

We're planning on moving over to Australia early next year and I have a friend who has been there with her family almost 2 years. She has told me we will be entitled to Centrelink payments for our daughter, given my partner doesn't earn over $90,000. Does anyone know if ...

My husband is on medication for MS, one of which is expensive. Would we be able to get these drugs in Australia?

Can Kiwis studying in Australia get any financial assistance? Or am I on my own?

I am an Australian Citizen wishing to bring my incapacitated father (a New Zealand citizen) to Australia. What benefits will he be able to get and will Medicare help out?

My father has had a stroke and has aphasia and is unable to communicate, as well as being paralysed. My mother is the full time carer. He is 60 and has been in NZ over 20 years. Will Medicare help out with subsidised medications, and will I be able to ...