redditchcouple Posted January 25, 2012 Share Posted January 25, 2012 I have just been speaking to a guy who came out here 4 years ago and lives on the gold coast.He came out on the same visa we did (176 skilled) and has told me I can claim the Aussie version of child benefit and can claim rent assistance from Centrelink.Does anyone know if this is true?I thought that I could not claim any assistance for anything for 2 years. My wife has found part-time work but I currently am not working(not through lack of trying).Any help would be great thanks, Scott and Sally Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jurls Posted January 25, 2012 Share Posted January 25, 2012 Yes, Family Assistance payments are not subject to the 2 year wait period, you can claim immediately on arrival if you have PR. See page 2 of this document http://www.immi.gov.au/allforms/pdf/994i.pdf You can get more information about payments and register via http://www.familyassist.gov.au/payments/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redditchcouple Posted January 25, 2012 Author Share Posted January 25, 2012 thanks for that...I wish I had known earlier, would have made life a lot easier instead of worrying about money all the time...Do you know if they backpay from date of arrival or pay it from time of registration?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johndoe Posted January 25, 2012 Share Posted January 25, 2012 From the date of your application normally................pull yer finger out! :tongue: You could put a covering letter in saying that you didn't know that you were entitled and they may view it favourably..............rent rebate that is. Family tax benefit is an annual assessment that you can opt to have paid fortnightly so being based on the tax year, it should be backdated. kev Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redditchcouple Posted January 25, 2012 Author Share Posted January 25, 2012 Thanks Kev, We will be up there with our boots blacked Monday morning:wink: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2tigers Posted January 25, 2012 Share Posted January 25, 2012 I didn't know this either! So just like the uk does, Australia pays immigrants benefits! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redditchcouple Posted January 25, 2012 Author Share Posted January 25, 2012 I know...and there we are been struggling and worrying for no reason....this will be a great help for us...I dont think many people know you can claim..we certainly didnt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
calNgary Posted January 25, 2012 Share Posted January 25, 2012 You can only claim limited benefits (child care allowance, family tax credit part A and B and Rent assistance),, and only if your on a PR visa, not a sponsership or temp one. You are not entitled to unemployment or sickness benefit. Cal x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redditchcouple Posted January 25, 2012 Author Share Posted January 25, 2012 Thanks Cal, Believe me, anything will be a great help....just wish I had known earlier !! :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jurls Posted January 25, 2012 Share Posted January 25, 2012 Thanks Cal, Believe me, anything will be a great help....just wish I had known earlier !! :-) If you register for online services they've got a calculator online you can use to estimate how much you might get. You'll probably find it's a fair amount if only one of you is working, as it's assessed against your income as a family. You'll definitely be eligible for Family Tax Benefit Part A, possibly FTB Part B if one if you isn't working and Rent Assistance. Possibly other payments (child care benefit, child care rebate if you are job hunting, health care card if your income is low enough) depending on your circumstances. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jurls Posted January 25, 2012 Share Posted January 25, 2012 By the way, make sure you register your family for the Medicare Safety Net Threshold if you haven't already. Here's a link to a leaflet http://www.medicareaustralia.gov.au/public/files/medicare-safety-net-2012-brochure.pdf The thing to be aware of with this is that the their is a massive difference in the threshold amount if you are claiming FTB. - The 2012 Extended General threshold for all Australians is $1198.00 - The 2012 Extended Concessional/FTB(A) threshold is $598.80 Basically once you've reached the threshold amount in the tax year, you will be able to claim 80% of your out of pocket costs back from Medicare which makes a massive difference if you need several trips to the Doctor or any tests or suchlike. We reached the threshold within 3 months after a couple of visits to the Doctor, my son having to see two specialists and my husband having to have some tests done. Well worth making sure you register so Centrelink link all the records etc. Hope this helps Cheers J Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hellsbells712 Posted January 26, 2012 Share Posted January 26, 2012 Hi ya, We arrived here to the GC in April last year, OMG cannot believe a year has nearly gone by and now we are looking at buying our new home. Loving it here on the Gold coast and have no intention of going back home. Well the UK, this is our home now. OK back to business, I have only just got round to sorting my family tax / benefits out and yes they do rebate it back to the start of the tax year. Just had a nice tidy amount just after Christmas. We are here on a PR 176 visa. Also as we have kids we can claim tax on school things for the year when you fill your tax returns in. Keep all receipts for everything you buy for school. This year they are also including school uniforms on the list. If your kids use internet for school work, internet can be also included. Hope all this helps. Hope you are enjoying your new life down under as much as we are. xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redditchcouple Posted February 20, 2012 Author Share Posted February 20, 2012 I put my claim in 3 weeks ago..not heard anything back yet, is it definately valid for any PR visa?? I checking that because I am Family Sponsored and am wondering if that makes a difference when claiming?? Any clarification would be great... Scott and Sally Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
josetann Posted February 20, 2012 Share Posted February 20, 2012 I put my claim in 3 weeks ago..not heard anything back yet, is it definately valid for any PR visa?? I checking that because I am Family Sponsored and am wondering if that makes a difference when claiming?? Any clarification would be great... Scott and Sally I'm told Centrelink is backed up big time, and is taking about 35+ days to process a claim. Can't help with the rest, sorry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
byrned Posted February 20, 2012 Share Posted February 20, 2012 I hope you backdated it to when you came, friends of ours claimed back 2.5 years worth, from the date they first entered the country, family sponsored as well, just make sure you have all your past tax returnns, to show your earnings from entering the country. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest JK2510 Posted February 20, 2012 Share Posted February 20, 2012 It's backdated from the day you arrive in oz. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redditchcouple Posted February 20, 2012 Author Share Posted February 20, 2012 Thanks for all your help so far,its put our minds at rest a bit :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hellsbells712 Posted February 20, 2012 Share Posted February 20, 2012 Don't worry, it will come through soon. We lodged our application around the 8th December and there is a backlog. It took about 6 weeks in the end. It will be worth the wait. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Que Sera Sera Posted February 20, 2012 Share Posted February 20, 2012 Just be careful that when you do find work you inform them immedietly. Because if you underestimate your earnings you have to pay it all back next tax year. I know because I underestimated my Phd overtime so just had to pay back $3000 all n one go :swoon: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cheznandi Posted April 8, 2012 Share Posted April 8, 2012 Hello guys ,,I've just got my Centrelink after 60 days ,,massive backlog,,anyways just been informed that we may get family tax part a and b supplements at the end of tax year ,,is this correct ,,all helps after massive setup costs ,,,,and we may be pin on hols in mid June ,,would this effect me getting the supplement ,by not being in country at the time of tax return going in,,,I've got an agent doing it for me ,,cheers for any help ,..chez Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johndoe Posted April 8, 2012 Share Posted April 8, 2012 Hello guys ,,I've just got my Centrelink after 60 days ,,massive backlog,,anyways just been informed that we may get family tax part a and b supplements at the end of tax year ,,is this correct ,,all helps after massive setup costs ,,,,and we may be pin on hols in mid June ,,would this effect me getting the supplement ,by not being in country at the time of tax return going in,,,I've got an agent doing it for me ,,cheers for any help ,..chez Being out of the country has no bearing as long as you are resident. Like Que sera says, be wary of underestimating salary as you will have to pay it back. Personally, we always underestimate and have family tax benefit paid fortnightly. At the end of the tax year, we owe them, but we've had it making interest for 12 months (IYKWIM) and then when we pay it pay it back, we opt to pay by fortnightly deductions from the next years FTB (also underestimated) so then we're getting another years grace whilst it makes interest...........think about it :biggrin: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cheznandi Posted April 8, 2012 Share Posted April 8, 2012 Being out of the country has no bearing as long as you are resident. Like Que sera says, be wary of underestimating salary as you will have to pay it back. Personally, we always underestimate and have family tax benefit paid fortnightly. At the end of the tax year, we owe them, but we've had it making interest for 12 months (IYKWIM) and then when we pay it pay it back, we opt to pay by fortnightly deductions from the next years FTB (also underestimated) so then we're getting another years grace whilst it makes interest...........think about it :biggrin: Sounds a good idea johndoe ,,,my wife's liking it ,,,,,what about the fam tax supplements I've been told about ,,do these exist ...or are these income tested as well ...I take it anything owed is took from these before we get it ,,,,,,cheers andi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jurls Posted April 8, 2012 Share Posted April 8, 2012 Hello guys ,,I've just got my Centrelink after 60 days ,,massive backlog,,anyways just been informed that we may get family tax part a and b supplements at the end of tax year ,,is this correct ,,all helps after massive setup costs ,,,,and we may be pin on hols in mid June ,,would this effect me getting the supplement ,by not being in country at the time of tax return going in,,,I've got an agent doing it for me ,,cheers for any help ,..chez Yes I'd have thought you'd get it, as long as you don't owe them money when they reconcile your account. Can't see that going on holiday would make a difference. http://www.centrelink.gov.au/internet/internet.nsf/payments/ftb_supplement.htm Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cheznandi Posted April 8, 2012 Share Posted April 8, 2012 Yes I'd have thought you'd get it, as long as you don't owe them money when they reconcile your account. Can't see that going on holiday would make a difference. http://www.centrelink.gov.au/internet/internet.nsf/payments/ftb_supplement.htm Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Cheers jurls ,,thanks for the advice ,,it cost us loads to set up as it does with everyone ,,but be nice to gets a bit back ,,,goin home for a few weeks to a uk summer hopefully when it chills down here,,,,take care Andi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johndoe Posted April 8, 2012 Share Posted April 8, 2012 Sounds a good idea johndoe ,,,my wife's liking it ,,,,,what about the fam tax supplements I've been told about ,,do these exist ...or are these income tested as well ...I take it anything owed is took from these before we get it ,,,,,,cheers andi I'm assuming that the "family tax supplements" that you've been informed about are actually the family tax benefit............no different than what the tax allowances used to be for families with children (in the UK) way back when..............no milk tokens though :biggrin: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.