Please note: this website was created in 2003 and there have been several changes in relevant Australian legislation since that time (probably Canadian too). The website is kept online as an overview of the situation at that time but has not and will not be updated.

align="center">Entitlements available to asylum seekers in Australia under different visa classes

(© J Thomson, National Council of Churches in Australia, see http://www.ncca.org.au)

Comparison of Entitlements Permanent Protection Visa (200 or 886),

Temporary Protection Visa (785)  and Bridging Visas

TYPE OF ENTITLEMENT

Refugees with Permanent Protection Visas

Entitlements given to refugees granted a protection visa.

Refugees with Temporary Protection Visas

Entitlements given to refugees granted a protection visa after coming to Australia (i.e. unauthorised arrivals released from detention).

Asylum Seekers in the community with Bridging Visas

Entitlements given to 'immigration cleared' entrants who applied for asylum while living in the community and were granted a bridging prior to a decision.

Income Support

Granted immediate access to the full range of Centrelink benefits

Access to Special Benefit only (conditions apply). Those with over $5,000 cannot apply

Denied Centrelink benefits. May be eligible for the Asylum Seekers Assistance Scheme after 6 mths.

Work Rights

Granted

Granted

Denied if they do not lodge an Asylum claim within 45 days of arriving.

Employment Assistance

Granted access to all employment assistance programs, including Job Network Intensive Assistance Programs.

Denied, except for the most basic services (i.e. using touch screens for job matching).

Denied.

Ability to find work limited by the uncertainty the visa and language difficulties.

Medicare/ Health Care

Granted Medicare and a Health Care Card

Granted Medicare, including access to torture and trauma counseling.

Denied Medicare if they do not lodge their Asylum claim within 45 days. Some are granted torture & trauma counseling.

Settlement Support

Granted access to the full range of DIMA settlement support services (such as on-arrival accommodation (OAA), Community Refugee Settlement Scheme (CRSS), case management, early health assessment, torture and trauma counseling and IHSS).

Denied settlement support services and accommodation after being released from detention.

Denied access to accommodation and other settlement support services

English Classes

Adults granted 510 hrs of free English classes. Children granted free intensive English classes.

Denied standard 510 hrs of free English classes. Children denied free intensive English classes.

Denied standard 510 hrs of free English classes. Children denied free intensive English classes.

Education

Access to education like any permanent resident, including access to HECS.

Access to public school and intensive English classes. TAFE classes are charged at overseas student rates. Must pay up front tertiary education fees. These costs prevent TPVs from studying.

Access to public schools, but charged overseas student rates (approximately $4,000 a year). Access to intensive English classes at overseas student rates.

Family Reunion

Eligible to sponsor family members to reunite in Australia

Denied split-family reunion rights.

No split-family reunion rights while case being decided.

Travel

Permitted to travel overseas and return to Australia.

No right of return if they leave Australia (to visit family etc.).

No right of return.

Bond Assistance

Granted

Denied

Denied


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Please note: this website was created in 2003 and there have been several changes in relevant Australian legislation since that time (probably Canadian too). The website is kept online as an overview of the situation at that time but has not and will not be updated.