Treasurer Scott Morrison’s payments will not apply to refugees or other vulnerable migrants, the Immigration Department has told SBS World News.
Earlier this week the government announced migrants who arrive in Australia from July next year will have to wait three years before they can access certain Centrelink payments, extending the current two-year waiting period.
Announcing the MYEFO budget update, Mr Morrison said the measure would save $1.3 billion in the next four years.
The extended waiting time will apply to paid parental leave, the Carers Allowance, and the Family Tax Benefit, assuming the government can secure the changes in law.
Treasury documents said there would be “exemptions” for “vulnerable groups”, as well as for some New Zealand citizens with children in their care.
SBS News asked the Immigration Department - now part of Peter Dutton’s Home Affairs ministry - to clarify what counted as “vulnerable” groups.
Refugees who are found to be fleeing persecution and are given humanitarian visas will still be exempt from any waiting time, as will their families.
Newly arrived migrants who experience sudden financial loss due to a “significant change in circumstances” and pass a “hardship test” will also be able to get an exemption, the department said.
Examples of this could include the death or permanent disablement of a spouse, particularly if that spouse sponsored the migrant to come to Australia or if they relied upon them financially.
Migrants who suffer domestic violence at the hands of their partners or experience “unexpected” medical expenses would also be excused.
Skilled migrants who come to Australia for an employer-sponsored job but then lose their jobs, could also be exempted.
And migrants who become single parents after they are granted permanent residency in Australia would also be able to access parenting payments.
Migrant groups including the Federation of Ethnic Communities Councils of Australia and the Migration Council of Australia .
FECCA chairperson Mary Patetsos called it a “worrying step”.
“The relatively small amount of budgetary savings are going to impact quite severely on some of our most disadvantaged people, vulnerable families, and young children,” she said.
SBS News contacted both groups and sent them the Immigration department’s clarification to see if it allayed their concerns, but did not receive a response by time of publication.
