New arrivals to Australia
New arrivals in Australia can get some payments and services from the government depending on their residence status. There may be waiting periods and other conditions that new arrivals to Australia need to know about.
Who does this information apply to?
People who have recently arrived to settle in Australia.
Health services
You can get many health services and payments from Medicare Australia. This includes getting back some of the money you pay to visit a doctor and cheaper medicines under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. To get many health services you need to be registered with Medicare and you have to meet residency requirements. Some health services are available to visitors from other countries.
Australia has Reciprocal Health Care Agreements with the governments of many other countries. If you are a resident of one of these countries you can get Medicare services while visiting Australia. See Visitors to Australia page for more information.
More information
- Medicare website - New residents
- Medicare website - Visitors to Australia
Financial support
You can get information on living in Australia and becoming a citizen from Department of Immigration and Citizenship.
In general, social security payments and services from Centrelink are only available to people who reside in Australia and have certain legal resident status (for example Australian citizenship or permanent visa). Some waiting periods may apply.
More information
- Centrelink website - Moved to Australia