Delay in changes to waiting periods for welfare payments

We previously announced changes to the waiting period for newly arrived residents. These changes were due to commence on 1 January 2022 but this has been delayed to 1 July 2022.

The changes from 1 July 2022 include:

· increasing the existing waiting period for Carer Payment, Parental Leave Pay, and Dad and Partner Pay from two years to four years;

· increasing the existing waiting period for Carer Allowance and Family Tax Benefit Part A from one year to four years; and

· introducing a new waiting period of four years for Family Tax Benefit Part B.

There are some limited exemptions from these waiting periods including for humanitarian entrants and their families, and people who experience a substantial change in circumstances and are in financial hardship.

For more information see: https://www.dss.gov.au/living-in-australia-and-overseas/recent-and-upcoming-policy-changes.