Australia (AU)

Australia is the world's sixth-largest country by area and one of the most urbanised nations on Earth, with over 85% of its 27 million people living in coastal cities.

Capital: Canberra

Region: Oceania

Language: English

Currency: AUD ($)

Cost of living: Expensive (index 74)

Emergency: 000

Social Security in Australia

Benefits, contributions, and how the system works for expats.

Australia's social security system is administered by Services Australia (formerly the Department of Human Services) through Centrelink, the national welfare delivery agency. The system is funded through general taxation rather than specific payroll contributions — there are no separate social security contribution deductions from your salary (though Medicare Levy of 2% applies to most residents). Benefits are means-tested and subject to income and asset tests. Most welfare payments require a Centrelink Customer Reference Number (CRN) and a myGov account linked to Centrelink. IMPORTANT: A 4-year Newly Arrived Resident's Waiting Period (NARWP) applies to most working-age payments for permanent residents granted their visa on or after 1 January 2019. Humanitarian entrants are generally exempt from the NARWP.

Centrelink Customer Reference Number

CRN (Customer Reference Number)

You must create a myGov account at my.gov.au and link it to Centrelink. To create a Centrelink record (and get a CRN), you must either: (1) visit a Services Australia service centre in person with proof of identity (passport, Australian visa grant notice, and one secondary ID document); or (2) complete the online identity verification process through myGov if you have a Medicare card or Australian driver's licence. Once your identity is confirmed, your CRN is assigned immediately. You will need your CRN to apply for any Centrelink payment, concession cards, or family assistance. Non-residents without a Medicare card must attend in person.

Used for

All Centrelink payment applications (JobSeeker, Youth Allowance, Age Pension, etc.)
Family Tax Benefit and Child Care Subsidy
Concession cards (Health Care Card, Pensioner Concession Card, Commonwealth Seniors Health Card)
MyGov identity linking
Medicare enrolment linkage
Tax file number (TFN) linkage with the ATO

Benefits & Support Payments

Age Pension

$1,149.00 per fortnight (single, full pension including pension supplement and energy supplement — March 2026 rate). $1,732.20 per fortnight (couple combined). Part pension available for those with assets/income above the full pension threshold.

The main retirement income support payment for older Australians who meet age and residence requirements. Provides fortnightly payments indexed twice yearly (March and September).

Eligibility

Must be age 67 (for anyone born on or after 1 January 1957). Must be an Australian resident for at least 10 years (with at least 5 years continuous). Subject to income and assets tests. The full pension reduces by 50 cents for every dollar of income above $204/fortnight (single). The asset test taper rate is $3 per fortnight for every $1,000 above the threshold.

How to Apply

Apply online via myGov > Centrelink > Claims, or at a Services Australia service centre. Apply up to 13 weeks before your qualifying age. Required documents: identity documents, bank account details, all asset valuations, superannuation statements, property details, and income records. Processing: 4–8 weeks.

NARWP does NOT apply to the Age Pension (it has its own 10-year residence requirement). International social security agreements with 31 countries (including the UK, New Zealand, USA, Italy, Germany, and others) may allow overseas periods of residence or contributions to count toward Australian Age Pension qualification. Check dss.gov.au for the full list of agreement countries.

JobSeeker Payment

$793.60 per fortnight (single, no children, no rent assistance — March 2026 indexation; source: Services Australia). Additional Rent Assistance of up to $211.20/fortnight (single) if renting privately. Subject to income and assets tests.

Australia's main unemployment and income support payment for working-age people who are actively seeking employment or have a temporary illness or incapacity.

Eligibility

Must be aged 22 to Age Pension age. Must be an Australian resident. Must be unemployed and actively looking for work (or temporarily incapacitated). Must meet income and assets tests. Must be willing to accept suitable work offers. Subject to the 4-year NARWP (newly arrived permanent residents must wait 4 years before receiving most working-age payments).

How to Apply

Apply online via myGov > Centrelink > Make a claim > JobSeeker Payment. Must have a TFN and CRN. The date you submit your claim (not the date of approval) determines your payment start date. You must also sign a Job Plan and register with an employment services provider (Workforce Australia or Disability Employment Services). Processing: 7–21 days.

Payment reduces progressively as you earn income — a "work bonus" and income-free areas apply. Income above $300/fortnight reduces payment by 50 cents per dollar; above $1,253/fortnight the payment reduces more sharply. You must report your income (actual, not estimated) fortnightly via the Centrelink App or myGov. Failing to report income is considered fraud.

Youth Allowance

Youth Allowance (job seekers, students, apprentices)

Approximately $587.05 per fortnight (single, no children, living away from home — 2026 rate). Higher if living away from parental home. Subject to parental means test if under 22 and living at home.

Income support for young people who are studying, training, or looking for work.

Eligibility

Must be aged 16–24 (job seekers) or 16–24 (students/apprentices; can extend to 24). Must be studying full-time, undertaking a full-time apprenticeship, or actively seeking work. Subject to income and assets tests and (for students under 22) parental income test (unless "independent" under ATO criteria). Subject to 4-year NARWP.

How to Apply

Apply via myGov > Centrelink. Evidence of enrolment and study load required for student claims.

Independence criteria are strictly defined: 18+ and worked full-time for 2 years since leaving school; or earned above an ATO-specified amount; or married/de facto; or parent of a dependent child. Most young people under 18 still living with parents will be subject to the parental income test.

Family Tax Benefit Part A

Family Tax Benefit Part A (FTB A)

$222.04 per fortnight per child aged 0–12; $288.82 per fortnight per child aged 13–19 (full rate, 2025–26 year). Rate reduces progressively above family income of $58,108/year; cuts out at approximately $112,578/year (adjusted for child count).

A fortnightly payment to help with the costs of raising dependent children.

Eligibility

Must care for a dependent child under 20 (under 22 if in full-time secondary study). Must be an Australian resident. Subject to income test. Subject to immunisation requirements (children must be up to date on the Australian Immunisation Register — AIR). Subject to 1-year NARWP (shorter than the standard 4-year NARWP for this payment).

How to Apply

Apply via myGov > Centrelink > Claims > Family assistance. You must also lodge a tax return each financial year or confirm your income estimate — Centrelink reconciles FTB payments annually after tax time.

FTB Part A payments can be paid fortnightly or as a lump sum after the financial year end. Taking fortnightly payments requires you to keep your income estimate accurate — underpayment/overpayment is reconciled after tax return. FTB Part A Supplement ($916.15 per child, 2025–26) is paid as an annual lump sum after your tax return is lodged.

Family Tax Benefit Part B

Family Tax Benefit Part B (FTB B)

$199.32 per fortnight (youngest child under 5); $139.02 per fortnight (youngest child 5–13) — 2025–26 rates. Single parents automatically receive maximum FTB B.

Additional support for single-income families or families where the primary earner is working and the secondary earner earns little or nothing.

Eligibility

Must care for a child under 13 (or under 18 if the child has a disability). Primary earner must earn below the FTB B primary income test (generally cuts out at $100,900/year — varies by family type). Secondary earner income above $5,767/year reduces the payment. Subject to 1-year NARWP.

How to Apply

Apply via myGov > Centrelink alongside FTB Part A.

FTB B is not available to two-income families where the lower earner earns more than $28,204/year for families with children under 5 (income test applies at two levels). Annual FTB Part B Supplement: $448.95 per family.

Child Care Subsidy

Child Care Subsidy (CCS)

Up to 90% of childcare fees for families earning under $80,000/year. The percentage reduces as family income increases. A family earning $200,000 receives approximately 36% subsidy. Families earning above approximately $530,000 receive no subsidy. Cap: up to 100 hours per fortnight for families meeting the activity test with 48+ activity hours.

Reduces the out-of-pocket cost of approved childcare for families with children under 13.

Eligibility

Child must be under 13 and not attending secondary school. Child must meet immunisation requirements (AIR). Parents must meet an activity test (work, study, volunteering — minimum 8 hours/fortnight for any subsidy; 100 hours/fortnight for full subsidy without hourly cap). Subject to 1-year NARWP.

How to Apply

Apply via myGov > Centrelink > Claims > Child Care Subsidy. Childcare centre must be approved. CCS is paid directly to the childcare centre, reducing your fee.

Book childcare as early as possible — wait lists in major cities are typically 12–24 months for popular centres. You still pay the gap between the subsidised rate and the actual fee. If you stop working or your activity hours drop, your entitlement reduces.

Disability Support Pension

Disability Support Pension (DSP)

$1,149.00 per fortnight (single, maximum rate — same as Age Pension rate, March 2026). Subject to income and assets tests.

Income support for people of working age who have a permanent physical, intellectual, or psychiatric condition that prevents them from working 15 hours or more per week.

Eligibility

Must be aged 16 to Age Pension age. Must be an Australian resident for at least 10 years (or hold a Protected Special Category Visa). Must have an assessed disability that fully prevents work for 15+ hours/week at minimum wage for at least 2 years. Must have tested all available treatment and work assistance. DSP is NOT subject to the 4-year NARWP — it has its own 10-year residence requirement (similar to Age Pension).

How to Apply

Apply via myGov > Centrelink. Requires comprehensive medical and work capacity evidence. A Job Capacity Assessment (JCA) by an independent assessor is required. Processing: 3–6 months. Most first applications are rejected — the assessment is strict and a legally-assisted review/appeal process is available.

Recipients below age pension age may be required to participate in activities to maintain or improve work capacity unless fully exempt due to medical conditions. Reviewing your DSP eligibility every few years is standard Centrelink practice.

Parental Leave Pay

Parental Leave Pay (PLP) / Government Paid Parental Leave

Before 1 July 2026: 22 weeks at $24.10/hour (July 2025 NMW, 38-hour week = ~$1,829/fortnight). From 1 July 2026: 24 weeks at $26.44/hour (NMW per Fair Work Commission 2026 Annual Wage Review = ~$2,009/fortnight). Paid directly to the parent (not via the employer).

Government-funded income replacement for parents taking time off work after the birth or adoption of a child.

Eligibility

Must be the primary carer for a newborn or adopted child under 2 years. Must be an Australian resident. Must meet the work test: worked at least 1 day per week (on average) in 10 of the 13 months before birth and earned at least $175,788 (adjusted income limit) in the previous financial year for full payment. Subject to income test. NOT subject to the 4-year NARWP.

How to Apply

Apply via myGov > Centrelink. Apply before birth (you can lodge a claim in advance). Must provide birth certificate within 28 days of birth. Claim can be lodged by the secondary carer for the partner-use component.

Some employers offer additional company-funded parental leave on top of the government PLP — check your employment contract or Enterprise Agreement. The government PLP is available regardless of whether your employer provides additional leave. Both birth parents can take PLP — 22 weeks total per family in 2025, with an additional 2-week "partner use" component.

Carer Payment

Same rate as Age Pension: approximately $1,149.00/fortnight (single — March 2026 rate). Subject to income and assets tests.

Income support for people who provide constant care in the home for a person with a severe disability, medical condition, or frailty due to age.

Eligibility

Must provide constant care to an eligible care receiver (immediate family member or other person in the carer's home). Subject to income and assets tests. Subject to Carer Allowance (a separate $158.60/fortnight payment available for less intensive caring arrangements). Subject to 4-year NARWP.

How to Apply

Apply via myGov > Centrelink > Claims > Carer Payment. Medical evidence from the care receiver's treating doctor is required.

Carer Payment recipients can work/study up to 25 hours per week without losing the payment — this "25-hour rule" applies to paid and unpaid work combined.

Contribution Overview

Australia's social security is funded through general taxation, not a separate payroll contribution. There is no dedicated social security number for contribution tracking. However, two levies are deducted from income: (1) Medicare Levy: 2% of taxable income for most taxpayers — funds Australia's public health insurance (Medicare). Exemptions apply for low-income earners. (2) Medicare Levy Surcharge: an additional 1–1.5% applied to higher-income earners (above $93,000 single / $186,000 family in 2025–26) who do not have private hospital cover. Superannuation (retirement savings) is a mandatory employer contribution of 11.5% of ordinary time earnings (2025–26), increasing to 12% from 1 July 2026. Super is separate from the social security system and goes into your personal super fund.

International Social Security Agreements

Australia has international social security agreements with 31 countries that allow periods of residence or social security contributions in partner countries to count toward Australian Age Pension and other entitlements. Partner countries include: Austria, Belgium, Canada, Chile, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, New Zealand (Social Security Agreement), North Macedonia, Poland, Portugal, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, and the United States. Under these agreements: (1) Australian periods of residence can count toward a partner country's pension qualification; (2) Partner country contribution periods can count toward the 10-year Australian Age Pension residence requirement; (3) You generally will not be required to contribute to both countries' systems simultaneously. Check dss.gov.au/international-social-security-agreements for the full list and benefit details for your specific country of origin.

The 4-year Newly Arrived Resident's Waiting Period (NARWP) applies to most working-age payments for permanent migrants who were granted their visa on or after 1 January 2019. During the NARWP, you will be ineligible for JobSeeker, Youth Allowance, Carer Payment, Special Benefit, and most concession cards. Humanitarian visa holders (Protection, TPV, SHEV, etc.) are generally exempt. The NARWP does not apply to Family Tax Benefit (1-year NARWP instead), Parental Leave Pay, Newborn Upfront Payment, and some other family payments. For services and information: Services Australia servicesaustralia.gov.au | Phone 132 300 (Centrelink) | myGov my.gov.au. For international agreements: dss.gov.au.

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