| When moving to another country as an immigrant, you | | | | Centrelink. The first one is the Special Benefit. This is |
| will be able to access certain benefits. One of the first | | | | for people in severe financial constraint beyond their |
| things you need to do as part of your immigration to | | | | control. This is a discretionary payment and is only |
| Australia is to register to Centrelink. | | | | released to recipients under special circumstances as |
| Centrelink is an Australian Government Statutory | | | | decided by the Department of Family, Housing, |
| agency that delivers Commonwealth services to the | | | | Community Services and Indigenous Affairs. |
| community. As an immigrant, it can help you becoming | | | | The second one is the Disability Support Pension which |
| self-sufficient. It can help you look for a job, arrange for | | | | is for people who are unable to work for two years |
| recognition of your skills and qualifications and access | | | | due to illness, injury or disability. Impairments can be |
| certain courses. Centrelink can also help immigrants | | | | physical, intellectual or psychiatric in nature. It is also for |
| with Family Assistance payments to help with the cost | | | | people who become permanently blind. |
| of raising children. | | | | In general, benefits from the Centrelink have residency |
| It is important to note, however, that access to social | | | | requirements before you can claim and qualify for |
| security benefits is not immediate. There is a waiting | | | | support. For instance, you need to be in Australia at |
| period for it for new migrants (unless you immigrate to | | | | the time of lodging as a resident on permanent basis. |
| Australia as a refugee). Once you become a | | | | This means you could either be an Australian citizen, a |
| permanent resident, you may be able to expand your | | | | permanent visa holder or you are a holder of a Special |
| access to these government services. | | | | Category Visa. You must also have satisfied the |
| If you hold a permanent residency visa for Australia, | | | | two-year waiting period for newly arrived residents. |
| there are two types of benefits you can acquire via | | | | |