Payments if you have a permanent residence visa

• Special Benefit - for people in severe financial need due to circumstances outside their control.
• Disability Support Pension - for people unable to work for 2 years due to illness, injury or disability.

Note: In general, social security payments from Centrelink are only available to people who reside in Australia and are either Australian citizens or holders of permanent visas. In addition, most social security payments and concession cards, except Family Tax Benefit and Child Care Benefit, have a two year newly arrived resident's waiting period. There are some exemptions, e.g. refugee and humanitarian visa holders. Some pension payments have their own 'qualifying residence' requirements with some exceptions. Also, some services are only available when receiving a payment from Centrelink.

It is also important to state whether you are part of a Assurance of Support program where an Australian citizen has sponsored you to move to Australia.

For more information, telephone Centrelink on 13 1202 or go to Newly Arrived Resident's Waiting Period.