My partner is a non-resident. What am i entitled to?

[Lulu]

Apply anyway and ask them then. I have granted a single rate payment to a couple, but the man had his working visa revoked after 5 years working here. If you ring and ask they have a list of visas and eligibility.
xoxoxoxo

[tiggerandpooh]

funkee frog... My DH had to go back to the UK to apply for his visa to immigrate here. I met him while he was on a 12mth working visa. He had overstayed his visa (long story) and was advised to go off shore to apply for the immigration visa, even though we were married. I was informed by the immigration dept, that if I was pregnant he would have been able to stay here and apply for it, he would have been granted a bridging visa until the spousal visa was approved. Your DP will not be eligible for any benefits until he has been here for 4 year - two years temp residency, then two year permenent residency. after that he will eligible to apply for australian citizenship and be able to apply for centrelink benefits if required. When DH first came back after his temp res visa was approved, he had to find a job, and as he couldnt recieve benefits we were entitled to be classified under section 24 which meant that I was able to recieve full parenting payment, and FTB. the only reason I found out about section 24 was because I was going to uni with someone who worked for centrelink. it isn't well known - and won't be offered up unless you ask about it. basically if you are going to be put into financial hardship because your partner is unemployed, and can't receive benefits, it means that you can. look it up on the centrelink website. The whole immigration process is hard and stressful. good luck with it!

[Fuzzywuzzy]

Thanks Tiggerandpooh, i'll look into section 24 and how it works, do you mind if i pm you to ask some more details about your immigration experience?

[Lulu]

I'm not sure if you'll find the S24 information freely available, just request it be considered when you apply.

I don't think you can PM hun, until you get your post count up to 50 or something

[tiggerandpooh]

funkeefrog, if you check my profile you will see my MSN details, feel free to add it, and I am happy to discuss it with you.

[Fuzzywuzzy]

thanks guys, just have to get my post count up

[midnightsun]

I'm Norwegian, and had DS here in Adelaide while I was still on my student visa. I handed in my spousal visa application a couple of days before my student visa ran out and was stressing big time to get it done on time. Get your partner to start the application process for a spousal visa now. Get onto the immigration website and print out all the forms and start filling them out. It is a lengthy process. He will need to get a police clearance from his home country, and I think he will also need his birth certificate (and so do you). Your parents will also have to fill in some forms and show proof of citizenship. You will need to get someone who knows the both of you (not related) to fill out a form to declare that they believe your relationship is genuine. And all these forms need to be witnessed signed by a JP. Depending on what he is planning on working as her in Aus, he may also need a medical check-up by a Dr nominated by the immigration department. If this is needed your partner will be advised about it after the visa application is handed in though.
Just remember that it costs a lot of money. $2000 for the visa application and then all the fees for getting birth certs, police clearance, medicals.... I would say that you should save up at least $3000 just to be sure that you are covered.
Good luck

Oh and another thing... start getting lots of photos of the two of you, with your family and friends. If you can go on little trips and take photos DO!! And they (immigration) also like it if you have joint accounts (even if it is one that you don't use or have any money in) because it shows that you are committed.