Welfare wait for migrants

MIGRANTS will have to wait up to 15 years before receiving taxpayer- funded handouts under a Turnbull Government crackdown.

The bill, plus a clampdown on Australians who spend large amounts of time overseas, will be introduced into Federal Parliament today under reforms that will save the Budget about $ 1 billion over four years.

From July next year, those who apply for the age or disability pension must have had 10 years of continuous residency, and five of those years must have been at working age. The changes are aimed at encouraging people into work.

If a person, including an Australian citizen, has not been in Australia for five years of working age, they must have lived in Australia continuously for a decade and not received dole payments for five years.

If they don’t meet the tough new test, they will have to wait 15 years before receiving a pension.

Currently, those applying for a pension only have to be an Australian resident for 10 years – and only five years of that needs to be continuous.

The Payment Integrity Bill will not apply to refugees, but it will affect about 2400 people. It is likely to affect those who bring their families to Australia under family stream visas.

Social Services Minister Christian Porter said it was a fair deal for the Australian public.

“It is reasonable to expect that people coming to Australia have made a reasonable contribution to the Australian economy and society before receiving ongoing pension entitlements,’’ Mr Porter said.

“( From next year) we are extending the time that applicants for pensions in Australia are required to have been in Australia, before they qualify for a pension.”