Unemployed for Sometime. Never Applied for Centrelink since Moved to The Country. Now Getting Low on Savings? What Options?

nmk on 30/07/2017 - 19:05

Hi there,

Moved to Australia a couple of years back with a kid and a spouse… Got a job so never applied for Centrelink benefits.

Now unemployed for sometimes and have been living on my savings but it's quickly ending now

What are my options?

Can I apply for any child benefits? Have two kids now
Heard about Newstart allowance? Will that apply in my case?
My wife has also enrolled in a Cert 3 - studying now - hoping to get a job soon…
If my wife goes to work, we probably have to keep our kids in a childcare? is there any way CL support? as child care seems to be very expensive around $100
Since I am not getting good opportunities, I'd like to start my Master in Uni while also looking for a job plus some part time job. Is there any gov support for me to start my degree? Any loan?

thanks

Education & Work

Comments

  • ozhunter on 30/07/2017 - 19:08
    +1

    Are you a permanent resident?

  • Sage on 30/07/2017 - 19:09
    +19

    Surely something as critical as this would be worth spending time to do your own research on.
    These forums are good for discussing opinions and experiences, this thread doesn't cater to that type of discussion.

  • nmk on 30/07/2017 - 19:10

    Yes. I am on PR

  • spackbace on 30/07/2017 - 19:11

    What experience do you have? What jobs have you applied for?

  • onetwothreefour on 30/07/2017 - 19:14

    How did you become unemployed?

  • nmk on 30/07/2017 - 19:17

    I have banking systems experience. Have applied for analyst jobs.

    Lost job coz of cost cutting.

  • [Deactivated] on 30/07/2017 - 19:41

    isn't there a 2 yr waiting period after you get ur PR to access centrelink payments. It was a couple yrs back but you should have been to see them months back before asking here especially with a family to support.

    • nahkk on 31/07/2017 - 16:42

      Not for all payments. For example payments for Families can start the day you enter Australia

  • oscargamer on 30/07/2017 - 19:45
    +7

    talk to centrelink

    in person

    not on the phone

    • tassieeagle on 30/07/2017 - 20:31
      +5

      Be there at 9am when they open the doors

  • nmk on 30/07/2017 - 19:52

    Alright.. I will check with them. Thanks all for your quick responses.

    What about studies? is there any loan available to start a UNI degree?

    • onetwothreefour on 30/07/2017 - 19:56
      +13

      If you are running out of money and struggling to find a job then a loan is probably not a good idea. Just get a job, any job to pay the bills then start applying for jobs you actually want.

    • pyramid on 30/07/2017 - 20:01
      +1

      Search RGIS . It's stock and inventory checking company and you won't need experience to get job there.

      • nmk on 30/07/2017 - 20:28

        Thanks.. I will definitely apply here

    • tassieeagle on 30/07/2017 - 20:30

      Not sure about loans, but you can get HECS to pay for your study and then you pay it back after you get a job and earn a certain amount.

      What are you wanting to study? Don't do a masters just because it's something to do if there are no actual employers seeking people with masters in that field.

      • nmk on 30/07/2017 - 20:39

        As per the website, this only applies to citizens.

        Well… the reason for studying further is to upgrade my skills while doing a part time job.

        • tassieeagle on 30/07/2017 - 22:15
          -1

          Fair enough re hecs and citizenship, I wouldn't have a clue.

          As for the masters, most employers value work experience rather than a piece of paper.

          Funny thing is I'm studying a masters but I don't feel hypocritical - it's teaching and a requirement to get registration to teach. I wouldn't be doing a masters if I had a choice though

  • footyboy on 30/07/2017 - 20:07
    +9

    Maybe the country you came from can assist?

    • nmk on 30/07/2017 - 20:27

      Yes.. I can get some loan… least preferred option for me.

    • JIMB0 on 30/07/2017 - 20:56
      -4

      As in go back there?

      • HighAndDry on 31/07/2017 - 14:37

        Don't understand the negs. Almost all countries have more benefits for their citizens than they do for their residents, even permanent residents. It's not ideal, but if push comes to shove and OP really literally has no savings and no income, going back to his country, getting welfare there, and sending a portion of that to Australia is workable, not to mention NOT having a potential income-earner in the country would make it easier for his spouse/kids to apply for welfare benefits separately too, if they're eligible.

        • pyramid on 31/07/2017 - 16:43

          Not all countries have welfare schemes for unemployed hence op may not be going for that option.

  • [Deactivated] on 30/07/2017 - 20:39
    +1

    How long ago did you become unemployed and what have you done to try to find work in that time?

    • nmk on 30/07/2017 - 20:42

      7 months now… I am applying via seek. Actually tried to start my own work but didn't work out well.

      • Geoff-bargain on 31/07/2017 - 08:17
        +1

        Can I ask what country you're from?

  • nmk on 30/07/2017 - 20:46
    +1

    Thanks guys for all the valuable advice. Much appreciated.

  • spackbace on 30/07/2017 - 20:58
    +11

    I'd make sure your cover letter and resume have been proof read. It's obvious from your replies that English is your 2nd language

  • Randxyz123 on 30/07/2017 - 22:29
    +2

    What did you do back home or before you were let go?

    I would put your masters on hold and get a job of any kind to pay the bills and keep you and your family off the street.

    Have you got any computing experience? You could try level 1 IT support…

    Newstart info fyi https://www.humanservices.gov.au/customer/services/centrelin…

  • [Deactivated] on 30/07/2017 - 22:36

    Are you open to moving? Try applying for some jobs in Canberra … can be a bit easier than Sydney/Melbourne.

  • Mia03 on 31/07/2017 - 02:01
    +8

    Hi

    I have some knowledge about this. For all kind of benefits from the govt, you have to wait for two years after getting your PR. Did you get your PR before July 2015? If so, you have the options below:
    1. Study allowances for your wife if she is studying full time (around 200 per week)
    2. Unemployment allowances for you and they might also help you in finding a job (around 200 per week)
    3. If you are both working full-time, childcare rebate options are also available for you child which is around 50% I think. So you get half the money back of what you spend on childcare.

    A post-graduate study will not be helpful for you unless you want to work in research or teaching. If you apply within this year, you might get CSP ( government subsidized rates) for this year which is anywhere from 6500 to 10,000 for 1 year worth of study and most postgraduate degrees are 1.5 or 2 years. From next year, you can get the full tuition fee (around 20,000-25,000 per year) as a loan from the govt which you need to pay back later.

    I'll suggest you talk directly with Centrelink (provided you received your PR before July 2015, otherwise they can't help), talk with recruitment agencies to update your career profile, don't have anymore kids and try looking at gumtree as well for temporary jobs. If you want to earn, there are many many opportunities so don't stop trying and don't lose hope. Best of luck!

    Mia

  • nahkk on 31/07/2017 - 16:34

    If you are on PR with a child onboard,I am pretty sure you are eligible for Family Tax Benefit A and B. Go to Centre Link in person and let them know that you are unemployed for previous 7 months. If in that period you had the child and PR, you will get the FTB for that period as arreas.

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