How to arrive and

Benefits from the government

You are not eligible for social security (income support) benefits until you have lived in Australia as a permanent resident for two years. This can include time already spent in Australia while on a provisional visa. Income support benefits include: unemployment assistance (such as Newstart Allowance or Sickness Allowance), student assistance (such as Austudy or Youth Allowance), and other assistance such as a Health Care Card. Age and disability pensions are only available to those who have lived in Australia for at least 10 years. Refugee or humanitarian entrants do not need to wait two years for social security payments. This applies also to immediate relatives (partners and dependent children), if the relationship existed at the time of arrival in Australia and can be proven as such.

If you suffer from a severe hardship during this two-year waiting period, you may be eligible for ‘Special Benefit’. This benefit is limited in scope and only if the cause of the hardship is from a major change in circumstances beyond your control, for example a natural disaster. It is not paid if you are unable to find a job or if you run out of money. If you become widowed, disabled or become a sole parent after becoming resident in Australia, you could become eligible for an allowance or pension. You may also be able to get a pension without having lived in Australia for 10 years if you are covered by an international social security agreement. Australia has concluded social security agreements with 14 other countries (see below).
Family assistance payments are available to help with the cost of raising children in Australia. There is no waiting period for these payments. Family assistance payments are: Family Tax Benefit A, Family Tax Benefit B and Child Care Benefit. The amount of Family Tax Benefit that you can receive depends on the age and number of children in your family and on your family's total annual income over the current fiscal year.
Child Care Benefit may be paid to help with the cost of putting your child into child care. How much you receive will depend on your family's total annual income over the current financial year, the type of child care you choose and how many hours of child care services you need. Family assistance payments are intended only as an income supplement and in no way provide enough to live on.
There are also two additional one-off payments that provide extra help to families with babies. Maternity Allowance provides money to help with the extra costs of a new baby. Maternity Immunisation Allowance (MIA) is a separate payment for families with children who have been fully immunised between 18 and 24 months of age or are exempt from the immunisation requirements.
The Family Assistance Office can help you with details about family assistance payments and any exemptions. In Australia, the Family Assistance Office is located within Medicare offices and Centrelink Customer Service Centres. You can find your nearest office by calling the Family Assistance Office on 13 6150 or online at: http://www.familyassist.gov.au
Only people who have been Australian residents for 10 years or more are eligible for age or disability pensions. However, the 10-year requirement is waived if you became disabled after becoming an Australian resident. The 10-year waiting period may also be waived if you are covered by an international social security agreement. Australia currently has concluded social security agreements with:

Austria Canada Croatia Chile Cyprus Denmark Germany Ireland

Italy Malta The Netherlands New Zealand Portugal Slovenia Spain USA

You should contact the social security authorities in your home country to discuss your pension arrangements and to confirm that your pension is transferable and will be paid to you even if you live in Australia.

- Chapter 10 -
Schooling and further education in Australia

The Australian education system seen in totality

Education is provided to children aged from approximately four to eighteen years. The exact age of compulsory education varies from state to state, but is generally for children aged approximately six to fifteen years. Australian government education is provided free-of-charge by all of Australia's states at primary and secondary school level. However, most ‘government’ schools do ask for a small voluntary annual fee to help cover extra activities.

Responsibility for education is divided between the state and federal governments. State governments are responsible for school education and to provide and manage government schools. They also have to support non-government schools. The federal government, through the Department of Education, Science and Training (DEST) provides supplementary funding to support certain strategies and priorities such as literacy and numeracy programs and is responsible for higher education. Vocational education and training is shared between the state and federal governments.
About 15% of school-going children attend 'private' or 'independent' schools. These charge tuition fees which can sometimes be very steep. Many provide boarding accommodation and usually cater for boys and girls separately. You often get what you pay for, but sometimes the price is not worth it. There are many good free state primary and secondary schools throughout the country. Most private schools fall into one of two categories. They are either schools administered by the Catholic Education Office or are independent schools of other religious persuasions administered by their own boards. Private or independent schools do have their own fee structure and do receive some form of subsidy (usually small) from local and national government. Many private schools are single-sex schools.

The Australian education system is divided broadly into five levels:

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  Pre-school
  
• 
  Primary School
  
• 
  Secondary/High School/Secondary Colleges
  
• 
  Career and Vocational Training
  
• 
  University and other tertiary institutions
  

The Australian way of teaching and of school discipline may be very different to what you are familiar with. Less importance is placed on memorising facts and outward discipline compared to education systems in other countries. Instead more emphasis is placed on self discipline, on learning by finding out and by questioning. Children's natural curiosity and enthusiasm for learning is encouraged.

Schools also encourage parent involvement and are almost always willing to help newcomers. Almost all schools have parent and teacher associations. Parents are invited to play an active part in school life by helping to raise extra funds for school needs and to help to decide what is taught and done at the school. Parent’s skills and experiences are valued and your involvement will be welcome. (It’s also an opportune way for you to integrate in to society, learn how things are done and to make new friends.)
All government primary schools are co-educational as are most secondary schools. The school year generally lasts from late January to mid-December. Although pupils are able to leave school at 15 years of age or until they complete their Year 10 qualification, many students continuing on to complete their Year 12 studies at 17 or 18 years old. Parents are also expected pay for items such as books and uniforms as well as pay for school outings. Most children attend the school closest to where they live. All states have a four term school year with holidays in between (except for Tasmania which has three).
The typical Australian pupil receives 12 years of schooling. Primary and high schools group classes based on the age of the pupils so that each class is of the same age. It is somewhat rare for pupils to fail a year and be held back to repeat it. Students with learning problems tend to be quickly identified and may be placed in special classes to help them with their needs.
The national education authority is the Department of Education, Science and Training (DEST) and their website can be viewed at: http://www.dest.gov.au
Australia operates a national system of qualifications that is called the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF). This recognises 12 different types of qualifications including high school education, TAFE qualifications and university achievements. It is supported by the Australian government as the cornerstone of the Australian education system.