What if as a New Migrant, I lose my Job?

There is a little of this uncertainty in the air isn’t there…. what with the credit crunch and all.

Here are the facts:
In the short term you are able to claim any unemployment benefits (for at least two years), that is until you are an Australian.

However, it is worth knowing what is available for the long term, for all members of your family even if hopefully you don’t ever need assistance.

There are two unemployment programmes here in Australia: ‘jobsearch’, ‘newstart’.

Steps to take:

Upon loosing your job, you register with the Department of Social Security (DSS) and fill in forms.
You will need proof of your identity and tax file number.
You will also need your Employment Separation Certificate, which states the reason for unemployment and your wages.
You receive your DSS allowance every two weeks.
Rates of payment are means tested –income & assets…..your age, income, marital status and number of children.

Job Search:

Under 18 or adults that have been registered with the DSS for less than a year are given the job search allowance and as the title suggests this is to assist you in seeking work (keep your application letters, job adverts etc).
When possible, you need also to be attending training sessions or courses/educational classes.
Payments are every 2 weeks conditional to you reporting to the DSS about your job searching activities.
You can only claim whilst in Australia.
Needless to say, the allowance can be stopped if you are not authentically active in job searching.

Newstart Allowance
If you do happen to stay unemployed for more than a year, the second scheme, newstart takes over from jobsearch and kicks in. This allowance is available for the over 21’s, permanent Australian residents, the unemployed and registered at the DSS for more than one year.

Once again it is for the ‘willing to work’ – evidence of job seeking is as important as ever and similarly, you report to the DSS every two weeks.
Further to this anyone aged 21 to 34 who is claiming this benefit for six to 12 months needs to do some work experience, locally or in community service. There is an extra payment per fortnight for doing so.

For amounts and further information: www.centrelink.gov.au/internet/internet.nsf/payments/index.htm

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