Are we entitled?

rarastar09

We will be moving to Australia later this year and was wondering if we would be entitled to any 'benefits' out there. We are currently in receipt of CB, DLA and CA as my daughter is disabled. I know that we will keep receiving our UK benefits for upto 6 months after we arrive in Aus and then they will stop but looking at the Aus Family Tax Benefits site its unclear as to weather 'poms' will get the same benefits? Thanks very much for any advice.

skintandscared_2

Are you UK resident or dual UK/Aus resident? On what basis has your emigration been approved? I believed that Aus had a "points" system, where you either had a desirable profession that they need (like a nurse/doctor) or had direct relatives there? I definitely remember the form I looked at stated that you had to show how you would be supporting yourself financially (and I remember thinking how much stricter they are than this country!) If your UK benefits will stop after 6 months, how would you pay your bills after that if you DON'T qualify for benefits in Aus?

Oldernotwiser

I'd try one of the ex pat forums - Anglo info are often very good but there are lots more.

http://australia.angloinfo.com/

rarastar09

skintandscared wrote: »

Are you UK resident or dual UK/Aus resident? On what basis has your emigration been approved? I believed that Aus had a "points" system, where you either had a desirable profession that they need (like a nurse/doctor) or had direct relatives there? I definitely remember the form I looked at stated that you had to show how you would be supporting yourself financially (and I remember thinking how much stricter they are than this country!) If your UK benefits will stop after 6 months, how would you pay your bills after that if you DON'T qualify for benefits in Aus?

Just to answer your questions, i am a UK resident. We have been awared a 457 visa, my partner has a job ready and waiting in Aus, his company have paid for us to fly and we have accommendation provided for us, so support is no issue. As my daughter is disabled i need to find out if support is an option until I find a job for myself to pay for her childcare etc.

Transformer

Surely as you partner has a job, that would be what you would expect to live off.

I know that the mobility part of dla is deffo not exportable, but as to care in aus dont know.

skintandscared_2

rarastar09 wrote: »

Just to answer your questions, i am a UK resident. We have been awared a 457 visa, my partner has a job ready and waiting in Aus, his company have paid for us to fly and we have accommendation provided for us, so support is no issue. As my daughter is disabled i need to find out if support is an option until I find a job for myself to pay for her childcare etc.

Ahh, right. Do you have a visa to allow you to work over there, or work in a profession that is likely to have a work visa granted? I looked into emigrating with an ex. He was a nurse and had plenty of points - could get a visa no problem. I am a secretary and I had no chance whatsoever!

sue1953

rarastar09 wrote: »

We will be moving to Australia later this year and was wondering if we would be entitled to any 'benefits' out there. We are currently in receipt of CB, DLA and CA as my daughter is disabled. I know that we will keep receiving our UK benefits for upto 6 months after we arrive in Aus and then they will stop but looking at the Aus Family Tax Benefits site its unclear as to weather 'poms' will get the same benefits? Thanks very much for any advice.

Where does it say in the benefit regulations that you will get Child Benefit, Disability Living Allowance and Carers Allowance for up to six months after arriving in Australia? I think DLA care and CA can be exported to Europe but not Australia.

AnxiousMum

There is not a chance that you will be entitled to any benefits in Australia whatsoever, until you have met the residency test. If either one of you have fulfilled the residency period (I know it used to be 2 years, but think they may have increased it to three), then you could claim right away (such as in my case - having grown up there and spent 16 of the first 18 years of my life there - so therefore, have fulfilled the residency requirement). Otherwise, you need to show that you can support yourself without recourse to any state funds. The only one that MIGHT be a reciprocal agreement might be child benefit/family allowance. Check to see if the British and Australian governments have any reciprocal funds available - ie, an Aussie moving here would get it, and a Brit moving there would get it.
I don't see how you would qualify for receiving any British benefits if going to Australia though......just a guess on that one though!

AnxiousMum

Have now looked at what a 457 visa is - as this is a temporary visa only (for overseas workers between 1 and 4 years in duration) I doubt that you would receive any benefits at all during your time down there - as you would not be a resident, but a temporary worker.

Transformer

Just read when inputting 'exporting uk benefits to australia' and found a reply that states you cannot take them to australia as the visa requirements are that you have to at least be self supporting for the first two years !!!!!!!

So you might find if you cannot afford to live on your wages alone that your stay in aus might be very short and end up having no choice but to return home. You need to research living costs our there compared to your expected wage and see if you will manage as you might come into conflict with your visa.

If you cannot self support on wages alone should you not consider rethinking your move?.

dseventy

rarastar09 wrote: »

Just to answer your questions, i am a UK resident. We have been awared a 457 visa, my partner has a job ready and waiting in Aus, his company have paid for us to fly and we have accommendation provided for us, so support is no issue. As my daughter is disabled i need to find out if support is an option until I find a job for myself to pay for her childcare etc.

Without STBO (stating the bleeding obvious) should you not have looked into this before you committed (and your partner took his job)?

D70