Social security in Australia: Complete guide for expats

Social security in Australia is funded through tax revenues and offers a safety net for eligible people dealing with hardships like unemployment, and life events such as starting a family or retiring. There are various different payments and benefits, as well as practical support you can access – join us as we explore the core benefits covered through social security in Australia and how to access them. We’ll look at different benefit types, who is eligible, and where you need to apply.

Here’s what we’ll cover in our full guide to social security in Australia:

Social security in Australia: Understanding the system

Social security in Australia is accessed through Services Australia (Centerlink). In most cases, the social security system in Australia is funded through general tax revenues, rather than from specific contributions made to access individual benefits.

The exceptions here include health care which may require specific Medicare contributions which vary depending on factors like your income. There’s also Superannuation which is one form of retirement funding which is paid in part by employees and their employers, and which sits separately to the means tested Age Pension provided by the government.

Social security in Australia includes several key benefits which we’ll explore in this guide, including:

• Age Pension – means tested retirement payment intended to cover basic needs
• JobSeeker Payment – benefits for eligible unemployed people including freelancers and self employed
• Disability Support Pension – funding for individuals who can not work due to disability, injury or illness
• Parenting Payment – payments for the primary carer of children up to 6 (or 14 for single parents)
• Carer Payment – funds for people caring for someone with a disability, illness, or in some cases for elderly people, for 6 months or more
• Other payments – some other core benefits include payments to support students including older learners

To access social security in Australia you’ll normally need to have a Centrelink Reference Number (CRN) which you can create through making a myGov account. Medicare cards are also used for health care purposes.

This guide is for information only. Other government support and benefits may be available – and some restrictions also apply on who can access payments and services. Get advice from a professional support group if you need to learn more about how social security in Australia will work for your specific situation.

Who pays into social security in Australia?

There’s not a specific social security tax in Australia. Instead, the system is paid for from the revenues of things like income tax, corporate taxes, and GST. There are also employer contributions through the Superannuation Guarantee which goes toward retirement, and the Medicare Levy of 2% of earnings which is paid by working age people specifically for health care costs.

How does social security work for expats?

Many of Australia’s social security benefits are offered only based on meeting specific criteria – which can include being a permanent resident and hitting a specific period of residence in the country.

To get an Age Pension for example, you must usually have been a resident of Australia for 10 years, and at least 5 years consecutively. If you’re an expat you’ll need to check how your residence status may impact your ability to access benefits, as well as any other restrictions on your eligibility.

In some cases, you can include your residence in a different country towards meeting the requirements in Australia. This may happen when Australia has a reciprocal arrangement with the foreign country. As this is highly individualized you may need to get help from the government agency which administers the benefits you’re looking at, to understand how the eligibility rules apply for your unique case.

Do I need a social security number?

There’s not one specific social security number in Australia. Instead, you may need several different reference numbers or details to access different benefits. The most commonly needed information is a Centrelink Reference Number (CRN) which you can create through making a myGov account, and which is needed for things like the Age Pension.

Social security contributions and rates in Australia

Social security in Australia isn’t paid for with specific contributions which are ringfenced from the general tax revenue the government raises. This means there’s not a separate social security tax or insurance payment as such – instead your day to day taxes on income and spending are used towards the benefits that are paid by the government.

Who has to register for social security in Australia?

You don’t usually need to register for social security (Centerlink) unless you need to make a claim for a benefit. You can register by making a myGov account and getting your reference number to apply for benefits there.

Who is eligible for social security in Australia?

Many social security payments are only available for Australian citizens, permanent visa holders and some New Zealand citizens. There may also be additional criteria including means testing, residency requirements and waiting periods before you can claim any specific benefit.

There are a couple of exceptions possible here. Special Benefit is a specific payment aimed to help people experiencing hardship who are not eligible for any other benefit for example. Some other exemptions may apply if you’re a refugee or in unusual circumstances, which are considered on a case by case basis.

What are the options if you are not eligible for social security in Australia?

If you are not eligible for social security in Australia you might consider looking at Special Benefit which you can apply for via Centerlink. This benefit has strict eligibility requirements and will depend on you providing a suite of supporting documents and information to show you are in financial hardship due to circumstances beyond your own control, and can not get funds from other sources of help.

Receiving social security in Australia as an expat

You can’t necessarily receive social security in Australia as an expat unless you’re a permanent resident – and even once you qualify, there are usually waiting periods for support. Here’s a summary.

Foreign permanent residents in Australia

Permanent residents who are actually resident in Australia at the time of making a claim may be able to access social security benefits. However there are often other eligibility criteria such as means testing which apply even to permanent residents – and a waiting period may be imposed on new arrivals which delays any claim. Waiting periods can be substantial – up to 4 years for many core benefits like unemployment payments.

New Zealand nationals in Australia

If you are a New Zealand national and considered a ‘protected’ holder of a Special Category Visa (subclass 444) – known as a SCV – you may be able to claim social security benefits in the same way as a permanent resident would. You will still need to meet other eligibility requirements and waiting periods.

Short term visa holders in Australia

Most short term visa holders are not eligible for Australian social security benefits. If you’re in financial hardship you may need to speak to an advisory body like a financial counselor through Moneysmart to get help and pointers.

Unemployment benefits in Australia

Unemployment benefits in Australia are called the JobSeeker Payment and offered to people who meet eligibility criteria and who are aged from 22 to 67.

Who can get unemployment benefits in Australia?

To get the JobSeeker Payment in Australia:

• You must be between 22 and 67 (Age Pension age)
• You must meet the income and assets tests. Your payment may be reduced or stopped based on your income, or if you have high assets – $321,500 as a single non-homeowner, or $579,500 if you own a home
• You must meet residence rules – you must live in Australia, be physically present in Australia, and be a permanent resident not subject to any newcomer’s waiting period
• You must be unemployed and looking for work – or unable to work or study due to short term sickness or injury

You can apply for your payments from 13 weeks before you will be unemployed or after your period of unemployment starts. You’ll need to claim through Centerlink, using your myGov account.

Unemployment benefit contributions in Australia

Unemployment benefits in Australia are paid from general tax revenue. If you’re eligible you can receive a payment every fortnight with payment values depending on your situation.

The maximum you can receive as a single person with no children at the time of research (January 28th 2026) is 793.60 AUD per fortnight.

How to claim unemployment benefit in Australia

You can claim unemployment benefits in Australia online through the mygov service, using your Centrelink reference number. You can also have someone else help submit a claim on your behalf if you prefer. In any case you’ll need some information and documents to support your application, including:

• Tax file number
• Details of your finances and savings
• Information about your previous employment and cause of unemployment
• Proof of your residence and information if you have lived outside of Australia
• Family information including your relationship status
• Details of your health or study if relevant

Pensions in Australia

Pensions in Australia include:

• Age Pension
• Disability Support Pension

Age Pension is payable from 67 years old subject to meeting eligibility requirements. It is a means tested benefit and intended to meet very basic needs, with Superannuation plans also available to cover more of the costs of living.

The Disability Support Pension is for people who can not work and who will not be able to work in future due to physical, psychiatric or intellectual conditions.

Health insurance in Australia

In Australia health insurance is treated separately from other social insurance. The public health service is funded in part through Medicare contributions. This is a 2% tax on taxable income for most people, with an additional payment for high earners who choose not to have private health insurance, of 1% – 1.5%.

Private health insurance is also available and is popular with expats and local citizens alike as it may offer more flexibility and faster treatment times.

Child benefits in Australia

The key benefit for families with young children in Australia is the Parenting Payment. There is also a Carer Payment which is for people looking after someone with a disability, or in some cases caring for elderly people.

Parenting Payment is available to the principal carer of a child under 14 if you’re single, or under 6 if you have a partner. To be eligible you must meet residence, income and asset tests and rules. This payment is only paid to one parent of the child.

Payments depend on various factors – but can be up to $998.20 a fortnight if you’re a single parent at the time of research (January 28th 2026).

Aside from this there are also some family tax benefits and parental leave options available for some people caring for a family. Payments are usually means tested, and can be used to support things like childcare. Full details can be found on the Services Australia website.

Social security for self-employed and freelancers in Australia

Self-employed and freelancers in Australia may be eligible for social security benefits depending on their situation. As there isn’t a specific social security contribution, eligibility does not hinge on having made payments into the Australian social security fund. However, you will need to demonstrate you’re eligible for the specific payment, including the standard residence, assets and income tests as well as specific requirements for self employed people and freelancers.

For example if you’re self-employed and want to claim unemployment benefits you would need to report your earnings on a regular basis, and your previous employment would need to meet fixed hours thresholds to trigger any pay out.

Social security in Australia for part-time workers, low earners and students

As many benefits in Australia are means tested, part-time workers and low earners may be able to apply based on need, and get payments subject to meeting the income and assets tests.

There are also various specific support schemes for students including the Youth Allowance and Austudy payments which are available for people in education at various ages.

Private social security options in Australia

There are a few other options for peace of mind if you;re not eligible for core social security options in Australia such as:

• Superannuation – mandatory for employed people, offers savings towards retirement
• Private life or disability insurance – covering you and your loved ones in the event that you die or are injured or ill, and therefore unable to work
• Private Health Insurance – useful instead of or as well as Medicare

Useful resources

• Services Australia – landing page for government benefits and information
• myGov account – create an account to access any services through the Australian government
• Age Pension – details of Age Pension from Services Australia, with links
• JobSeeker Payment – details of unemployment benefits from Services Australia, with links
• Disability Support Pension – details of Disability Pension from Services Australia, with links
• Parenting Payment – details of payments for parents of young children from Services Australia, with links
• Carer Payment – details of support for people caring for loved ones from Services Australia, with links
• Moneysmart – financial counselling landing page with links and phone numbers for different agencies
• National Debt Helpline – landing page with links for support