I might have to come home to Australia so I was just doing some research into my options. If I was to come back I would work eventually but I know the last time I went back I found it hard to find work so that worries me. Last time I had the proceeds of our house sale in the UK to live on and no child. Last time it took me 6 months to find any job teaching (contract, supply or permanent) so I cannot risk that again with a child and no money. I literally have no money after the breakup of my marriage (he is not withholding money as he has nothing either)
So my question is would I qualify for any benefits? I noticed on the Centrelink website it said people arriving in Australia need to wait 2 years before they qualify for benefits. Does that also apply to returning Australians? I am an Australian born citizen.
TIA
No that doesn't apply to you, I got family benefits straight away plus child care support, etc, and when I came back I was also given backdated benefits for the years I was away. That was obviously a mistake which I alerted them to and paid back but I was very financially supported when we returned. Mind you we didn't need unemployment benefit but I'm confident you won't need to wait two years as a returning Australian.
Do you know where you will be returning to? Do you have options? If so, can you start looking into areas of job vacancy and applying before you arrive?
As Trav said you will be eligible for CL services as you are already a citizen.
I would be returning to QLD. Even as a QLD trained teacher I had few prospects the last time I was there in 2004. I offered from the outset that I was willing to go anywhere in QLD and they told me they had enough trouble placing the graduates so could I ring back in a few months time. Lucky I had money to live off then. This time I would want to be close to family in Brisbane as I am not footloose and fancy free like then, as I have my son now.
It is a relief though to think that if the worse came to the worse I would have access to some money to help get set up. I still need to see if I can make a go of it here but at least I know I can always go home!
you should be safe with FTB, although it can take up to 5 weeks for a claim to be processed, so you'd need to do it immediately on getting into the country
other income support (parenting payment etc) - if you've been out of the country long term, you may have a delay in getting that granted. i would ring and apply for the payment as soon as you get to Australia, and let the processing peeps decide on that one - it's better to apply and be rejected than to not apply and find out later you COULD have - ftb will be backdated to your arrival in Au - no other payment will be
Registered User
Australian returning to Australia
Reply With Quote
Bookmarks