Partner visa 820, waiting for permanent resident 801 visa - Jobseeker eligability?

SkMed on 24/03/2020 - 19:56

Hi all,

My partner has unfortunatley found herself unemployed like many others over the weekend. We are currently waiting for her 801 visa which is her PR. The wiating time until she receives this is still about 12 month off according to our immi account. This is a bit of a unique situation and so far have been unable to get any clarity or get through to Centrelink to find out if she might be elliagable for any welfare/jobseeker etc.

Just a bit concerened we may now be relying soley on my income for the forseeable future.

Anyone else in the same situation and been able to get any clarity?

Thanks,

Financial

Comments

  • omguleh on 24/03/2020 - 19:59
    +2

    I recall there was a 2 year waiting period for payments like this. Check the website for eligibility?

  • Mechz on 24/03/2020 - 19:59

    I really doubt it. She's eligible to work as normal though.

    • SkMed on 24/03/2020 - 20:47

      Well that would be the ideal scenario obviously haha

  • Meho2026 on 24/03/2020 - 20:10

    Just read this to see if she fits any of the criteria for qualifying as a temporary resident. https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/individuals/subjects/pa…

  • Shleepy on 24/03/2020 - 20:19

    There have been some changes to eligibility for newly arrived immigrants. You might want to check it here:

    https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/individuals/news/more-f…

    Specifically:

    On 12 March 2020 we started a 3 month waiving of the Ordinary Waiting Period. This will continue while these temporary arrangements are in place.

    If you’re eligible to get the Coronavirus Supplement we’ll also waive the liquid asset test waiting period, newly arrived residents waiting period, and seasonal work preclusion period.

    • SkMed on 24/03/2020 - 20:45

      Thanks, Still not entirely clear in our case so we'll just have to keep trying to get through. Much appreciated!

  • lightcn on 24/03/2020 - 20:25

    We are currently in the same situation. My partner is on a Bridging visa B. I have tried contacting Centrelink but their lines are down. We are going to wait a few days after the rush to hopefully get a definitive answer.

    In the meantime, get your partner to register on mygov and see what happens.

    • SkMed on 24/03/2020 - 20:33

      Thanks, yes she tried registering on Mygov already but its down haha.

    • SkMed on 26/03/2020 - 10:10
      +1

      Holders of the 820 Visa are apparently elligable for assistance. Unsure what sort of assistance yet, but ther eis something available. Not sure about Bridging Visa B though…

      • lightcn on 26/03/2020 - 10:19

        Cbeers mate!

  • TEER3X on 24/03/2020 - 20:42

    When was the last time you checked your immi account for an ETA of getting a PR? The ETA may have changed in the past couple of days.

    As far as I'm aware, there are huge delays and you might be affected.

    • SkMed on 24/03/2020 - 20:45
      +1

      An hour ago. Says 11 to 22 months :( We got the 820 really fast, in like 7 months so were hoping to get this one pretty fast too, but with all this going on I also gues it'll slow things down :(

      • TEER3X on 24/03/2020 - 20:51

        hmmm actually, you would think going forward they will process them a lot quicker since there are no new cases and likely won't be for at least a couple of months.

        • SkMed on 24/03/2020 - 23:01
          -6

          Yeah either that or they might reroute the resources elsewhere for a bit? Who knows, its all a big shemozzle, if only we had an actual leader like NZ :(

          • SkMed on 25/03/2020 - 00:46
            +1

            @SkMed: wtf, Three downvotes? There are people that actually think the Govt's handling of this situation isn't a shemozzle thus far?! lol, ok.

            Just to be clear, if Scomo hadnt recanted Daniel Andrews lockdown over the weekend my partner and all her co-workers (plus im sure, many thousands more) would still likely be employed and not standing in line at centrelink.

            • HighAndDry on 25/03/2020 - 10:02

              @SkMed: Right now it's a trade off between jobs and coronavirus infections. Also:

              if Scomo hadnt recanted Daniel Andrews lockdown over the weekend my partner… would still likely be employed

              What? Sco-mo reduced the scale of the lockdown. How does more lockdown = less job losses?

              • SkMed on 25/03/2020 - 12:21
                +1

                @HighAndDry: Talk to any cafe/restaurant/small business owner. The sooner the lockdown happens the better. If a full lockdown is implemented then everyone is in the same boat, mortgages, rents and leases will need to be frozen and the govt will need to step in and pay % wages or something similar implemented as per other countries. The sooner it happens the sooner we beat this and get things back up and running. This drip feeding of info, slow response and uncertainty is what's forcing many Businesses to close and putting people out of work. I have several friends in hospo and retail who've lost, then regained then lost their jobs again already.

                • HighAndDry on 25/03/2020 - 12:26
                  -1

                  @SkMed:

                  The sooner the lockdown happens the better. If a full lockdown is implemented then everyone is in the same boat

                  … Which is for retail and hospitality, all out of a job.

                  Just to be clear, businesses would be forced to close under a full lockdown.

                  But you said:

                  my partner and all her co-workers (plus im sure, many thousands more) would still likely be employed

                  • SkMed on 25/03/2020 - 12:33
                    +1

                    @HighAndDry: Employed yes. But under lockdown and not working. A lot of small business are relying on the govt to step in, shut down and the govt cover a a percentage wage to their employees until they are able to reopen, or subsidise the businesses so they can pay their employees a percentage wage while the lockdown is in effect. Closing now means most employees especially in retail and hospo don't get redundancy packages, regular notice periods, their leave paid out, sick pay etc. These businesses simply don't have the reserves to implement that.

  • RockyRaccoon on 24/03/2020 - 21:31
    +1

    Good luck with Centrelink. A friends parents have been waiting since Dec for the aged pension, got a request for proof of birth two weeks ago. Nothing since and this was before all this craziness. And phone calls to centrelink before all this happened, just got that it was being processed and they just have to wait.

    • RedZed998 on 25/03/2020 - 11:08

      Same thing happened to me - in the end went to federal representative, came through 2 weeks later.This not uncommon. I was in a redundancy situation and was feed a load of lies from various Centrelink representatives, to the point I was broke. And I was redundant at 63, paid taxes all my life and this was the first time I needed assistance financially and come 65 and a half, 3 months waiting for the old age, finally got it.

    • TEER3X on 25/03/2020 - 14:04
      +1

      Centrelink was a joke before the coronavirus, and now that they actually have work, they're screwed because they have no idea how to work.

      I was waiting for parenting partnered payment, went in 6 times on separate occasions, gave them everything they asked for, they lied and said they called me, and that I didn't supply such and such (when I did), so after 13 weeks they close the claim.

  • [Deactivated] on 24/03/2020 - 21:37
    -2

    Best form of welfare is a job.
    We are a nation of lifters not leaners.
    We just want a hand up, not a hand out.

    • lightcn on 24/03/2020 - 22:06
      +3

      Pretty hard to find a job in these times when there are thousands of people who have just been laid off. She would love to keep working but there isn't much out there at the moment. We aren't free loaders and would rather earn our keep however these are trying times. Hopefully all of this blows over soon and everyone can just go back to as normal as can be.

      • SkMed on 25/03/2020 - 00:49
        +1

        Yeah exactly, it was close to impossible before all this, anyone who thinks otherwise hasn't actually talked with a jobseeker. I can't imagine how difficult its going to be for jobseekers now. It's entirely possible I may be joing the line by the end of the year though, so maybe I wont have to imagine.

  • oscargamer on 24/03/2020 - 22:04
    -5

    Love those who are already looking to sponge off the state, before they are even residents…. How does that work.?

    • SkMed on 24/03/2020 - 23:13
      +1

      Well its not something we'd even consider under normal circumstances. Also considering shes been working full time, paying tax and contributing to society here in Aus for more than 5 years already she's likely contributed more to this country than a lot of australians of the same age, definately more than me at the same age. I also never had to lean on the system. If the Govt would hurry up and reveal the full details of the plan it would help immensley and possibly mean she wouldnt have to apply or seek help if rents are reduced/paused temporarily as most are expecting. But until they do actually pull their finger out we have to explore our options and start planning, there's a chance I'll be out of work too by the end of all of this.

  • chickentaste on 24/03/2020 - 22:19

    I haven;t read the details of the 820 vis, but I'd expect that your partner would not be eligible for any of the entitlements that a permanent resident would get until it's formally granted.

    When I went through the PR process years ago I was on a 457 visa for several years, and was then placed on a bridging visa until the PR application was processed and granted. While on the bridging visa I believe you retain the same entitlements as per your previous visa.

    For me it was the reverse; I wanted to start a Master's degree but couldn't afford it as I was classified as an international student until the PR was formally granted and I could be classified as domestic. Mine came through just after the cut-off so I had to wait another 6 months to commence. I also missed out on the cyclone payment that was being handed out to PR's and citizens around the same time for the same reason.

    TLDR: sorry, but I think you're shit out of luck.

  • Jules855 on 24/03/2020 - 22:56
    +1

    You also need to take into account your earnings. If you are on even a semi decent wage it's likely to make her ineligible.

    • SkMed on 24/03/2020 - 23:19
      -6

      Yeah from what I've read that would be the case which is totally fine, but just trying to figure out if shes even elligable. My wage is decent and I have a saftey net of savings, however theres no guarentee I'll have a job at the end of this either, so we'll find ourselves in financial trouble by the end of the year if we're both out of work and cant get assitance. Trying to plan ahead and see whats availble to us.

  • PissLUR on 24/03/2020 - 23:48
    +7

    Didn't you sign a declaration that you are sponsoring her? The burden is on you, not on the Australia government.

    • PissLUR on 24/03/2020 - 23:53
      +2

      Sponsorship obligations
      You have sponsorship obligations to your spouse or partner and any dependents who hold the visa for 2 years after we grant their subclass 820 visa, even if we grant them the permanent visa before that time.

      Your obligations
      You must help your partner and their children with the visa by providing:

      accommodation
      financial assistance, including English language courses, if needed

      Withdraw sponsorship
      You can't withdraw as a sponsor after we grant the visa. But if you don't comply with your sponsorship obligations, we might cancel the visa.

      • SkMed on 25/03/2020 - 00:52
        -4

        Just to clarify, by supporting her, I mean I pay slightly more of the rent, pay for most dinner dates and more for groceries occasionally as shes been on a lower wage.

        • HighAndDry on 25/03/2020 - 10:03
          +3

          No, it means fully financially support them, by providing 100% of their financial needs if required.

          • SkMed on 25/03/2020 - 12:46

            @HighAndDry: Well if need be that's what I'll do. We do have the fallback of moving back to the family home but I'd likely need to give up my job in the near futureand go on jobseeker too unless the Govt finally steps in and announces rental releif, so not a great solution.

            • HighAndDry on 25/03/2020 - 14:36
              +2

              @SkMed: Just for the sake of your spouse's visa, I'd think very carefully about accepting that rental assistance. It's not a big risk, but it'll be a documented indication that you're not able to financially support her here.

              I understand, "coronavirus", but the Migration Act doesn't make excuses for financial support ability.

    • SkMed on 25/03/2020 - 00:39
      -1

      I will be supporting her, I already am and have been to some degree for about 5 years now.

      As mentoned above, we'd wouldnt even consider looking into benefits for her under normal circumstances, She's been out of work breifly before (not to mentioned exploited by several employers resulting in her not recieving several months worth of pay overall). Seeking Govt assistance has never even been considered, even when she was being exploited and not paid. However a global pandemic sending the world into chaos, uncertainty and recession like it's never seen before are far from normal circumstances.

      To be fair, if the Govt pulled their finger out and gave everyone more clairty, especially around around Mortgages/Rent releif etc. it's likely we still woudnt even be considering it, however with so much delay, broken promises and uncertainty we need to look into our options before we're locked into a rental agreement we cannot afford in the long term.

      Sureley it would be irrisponsible of us not to seek out information on how govt might be able to assist considering the circumstances? It's not as if she arrived yesterday, Shes been here working and contributing for more than 5 years and we've been on the path for the PR for quite a while now.

      • PissLUR on 25/03/2020 - 07:28
        +1

        Again it's your obligation to provide, not only supporting.
        At least for 2 years after the 820 visa grant.

        • SkMed on 25/03/2020 - 08:34

          Under normal circumstances, yes, this would be totally fine, however again these are not regular circumstances which is exactly why they've announced billions of dollardd in relief and are changing the rules daily which is why I've asked the question.

          As long as rental relief comes in the next few days we likely wont even consider it, but until then we need to explore our options.

          • PissLUR on 25/03/2020 - 11:06
            +1

            @SkMed: I don't see any * or t&c in that obligation paragraph. There is no other circumstance that may apply.

            Perhaps she could get help from the government But if you don't comply with your sponsorship obligations, the government might cancel the visa.

            • SkMed on 25/03/2020 - 12:27

              @PissLUR: Yeah cool, you can apply that to&C logic to any of the welfare services which are now changing daily… Either you simply don't understand why I'm asking the question or you aren't aware what's actually happening in the world right now.

              There's already a push for new NZ residents and international students among others to be eligible for relief, so not sure why the idea of that extending to someone who's very close to becoming a PR and already been working and paying tax in Australia her whole working life is so far fetched.

  • KingJuf on 25/03/2020 - 00:51
    +1

    Nope she is not eligible until she is a PR, and if I am not mistaken there is a 12 months waiting period for eligibility to receive payments after she is granted her PR.

    • SkMed on 25/03/2020 - 00:55

      Hmm, well there seems to be conflicting information on servicesaustralia.gov.au as posted above:

      "You may be exempt from being an Australian resident, for limited payments and concessions. This is if you hold a partner provisional visa including both:

      subclass 820 - Partner visa (temporary)
      subclass 309 - Partner visa (provisional)."

      So reading that it sounds like she may be eligible, the PR may be exempt with the 820, unless I'm reading that wrong? (It is worded very poorly as per usual with a Govt website lol)

      • KingJuf on 25/03/2020 - 01:04
        +1

        Yeh its poorly worded I agree, you literally have to dig through it.

        https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/individuals/services/ce…

        This link appears to spell it out that to be eligible for an exemption to receive "job seeker" payments she needs to be a principal carer or sole parent.

        Aside from calling them the next best thing you could do is try an estimator/calculator, based on the questions on there usually you can tell whether she will be eligible or not.

  • edwardye on 25/03/2020 - 01:07
    +1

    you need to wait at least 1 year after you grant PR to get centrelink.

    • SkMed on 25/03/2020 - 01:15

      No, it appears they've temporarily waived the waiting period:
      https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/individuals/news/more-f…

      "On 12 March 2020 we started a 3 month waiving of the Ordinary Waiting Period. This will continue while these temporary arrangements are in place."

    • SkMed on 25/03/2020 - 01:19

      Oh wait, I just realised "Ordinary" is litterally the category of one of the waiting periods, it doesnt mean "ordinary" in terms of the regular amount of time you usually have to wait :( It's as if they're trying to make it as confusing as possible… haha

      • HighAndDry on 25/03/2020 - 10:05
        +2

        Capitalised terms are always specifically defined terms, for future reference.

  • OzHunterNSW on 25/03/2020 - 12:17
    -4

    In the "old days" everyone relied on a sole income.

    Your partner could return to where ever they came from and work till the application is processed

    • SkMed on 25/03/2020 - 12:44

      This ain't the old day. A sole income was near impossible for a couple to live on prior to this pandemic let alone after it.

      So abandon our life together while months away from a 5 year process to get her PR, and flush all the money we've handed over to the government, send her out of a locked down country, into another locked down country likely costing more than what it would cost to support her for the next 6 months?

      Part of the application is that she can't actually leave for an extended period of time while it's being processed, and we need to keep submitting evidence etc.

      Thanks for the terrible, bigotted and insulting suggestion though, you sure sound like a great person.

      • wendellX on 25/03/2020 - 15:47

        Technically she can apply for Bridging Visa B which allows up to 3 months out of the country. Don't agree that it's a good idea though.

        You shouldn't call people bigots when you don't understand the word.

        • SkMed on 25/03/2020 - 17:35
          +1
          "Definition of bigot
          a person who is obstinately or intolerantly devoted to his or her own opinions and prejudices
          especially : one who regards or treats the members of a group (such as a racial or ethnic group) with hatred and intolerance"

          Telling someone to go back where they came from seems to fit the defininition pretty well I'd say.

          • wendellX on 25/03/2020 - 18:24
            -1

            @SkMed: You are reading waaaay too much into their words. No hatred or intolerance for members of a group in what was said. You're just being sensitive.

            Suggesting someone could go back where they came from and work till the application is processed (because they've been unemployed for a day and already looking for government handouts) doesn't equal bigotry.

            • SkMed on 25/03/2020 - 19:33
              +1

              @wendellX: Sorry, but I dont think you're reading enough into thier words, it's glaringly obvious really.

              Considering most of the world is in lockdown & we're in the moiddle of a deadly pandemic, to suggest someone risk everything including their life to make their way back "where ever they came from" just to do a few months work rather than ask if they might be entitled to something here after contributing their entire working life to our economy is 100 percent a bigoted point of view.

              Even if she were able to leave the employment situation is going to be similar no matter where you go right now. Add on the fact that flying anywhere at the moment, if even possibe, incurrs an astronomical cost so doing so would simply add to financial stress, not to mention getting any sort of visa to fly out right now will surely be next to impossible.

              FYI, she's originally from Bogota which is currently in total lockdown already (as we should be) and will be in lockdown for at least another two weeks, but realisticlly this will likely go on for months at a minimum. Not even residents are allowed in or out currently.

              As mentioend above if my job turns out to be secure and Scomo finally announces the details of the mortgage/rent strategy which he promised details on and never delivered then it's likely we wouldnt even apply, but with such poor management and uncertainty it would be irresponsible for us to not know what options are available to us which is why we're trying to find out.

              • wendellX on 26/03/2020 - 01:08

                @SkMed: Waste of time explaining the whole going back to her home country thing again; I already said I don't agree that it was a good idea. I still don't think you understand the words bigot/bigotry/bigoted though and just want to lash out for any damn reason. I'm literally in the same boat as you with my partner on her temporary resident visa at the moment, but I know I would have no grounds to call someone a bigot for such a trivial comment.

                • SkMed on 26/03/2020 - 10:00

                  @wendellX: If you have a partner here originally from a foreign country then you should be well aware that the phrase "go back to where you came from" or any slight adaption to fit the context is a racial insult… There is litterally a TV series about it which i'd highly recommend.

                  Considering OzHunterNSW came here to tell (it's not even worded as a suggestion due to lack of a question mark) someone to risk their life, leave their home and life behind even though thats obviously not even an option rather than offer any helpful suggestions or simnply keep their opinions to themselves is the definition of Bigot.

                  Add to the fact they've not chimed in to clarify and its pretty clear.

                  Also FYI, we got through to Centrelink and people on 820 visas are elligable.

                  • wendellX on 26/03/2020 - 11:21
                    -1

                    @SkMed: It's clear as mud mate. Saying someone COULD "go back to where you came from" UNTIL an application is processed (suggesting they would also come back) to someone who hadn't revealed the race of their partner is a racial insult in what way? You don't know OzHunterNSW's race, and he couldn't have known your partners race, so where do you get the idea that anything said has to do with race? Screw your head back on and stop letting your emotions override your reading comprehension.

                    • SkMed on 26/03/2020 - 14:35

                      @wendellX: Lets not pretend things will be going back to the way they were before all this. The world has now changed dramatiacally in the space of a few weeks.

                      If someone in our position were to leave now it's highly likely they will never be able to return, or if he/she is able to return at an unknown time in the future, the costs associated in doing so when borders do re-open will likely be so asronomically high that it will be out of reach for most. Surely OzHunterNSW has considered this before posting such a rediculous comment, however if not then he/she is ignorant as well as bigoted.

                      Overall its uncalled for and offensive to even suggest something so stupid during what is likely ramping up to be the most difficult event we've faced in generations. Feel free to disagree that its a bigoted statement, but i'd love to see someone suggest that to a foreigner at the tail end of their PR process right now as a solution face to face and see how it goes down…

                      • wendellX on 26/03/2020 - 15:14

                        @SkMed: Stop arguing unnecessary points. The suggestion was not well considered and I've agreed with that 3 times now. It's not bigoted to make a dumb suggestion though, and that's the only point I disagree with you on. You having a feeling that it's offensive is not enough to show a fellow user of this site is a bigot. I've asked my partner and she agrees you're just being too sensitive about it.

                        Again you aren't proving you even understand what the word means.

                        Bigot: a person who has strong, unreasonable beliefs and who does not like other people who have different beliefs or a different way of life

                        Try to show how anything in what OzHunterNSW said was a strong, unreasonable belief, or that he does not like your partner because she is different to him.

                        Bigot: a person who is obstinately or intolerantly devoted to his or her own opinions and prejudices

                        Was there some prejudice, intolerantly devoted to, in what OzHunterNSW said? I still can't find it.

  • cassea on 25/03/2020 - 14:07

    Have you looked at the eligibility criteria for Special Benefits. Your partner may fit in there

  • SkMed on 26/03/2020 - 10:07

    Hey all, we finally got through to Centrelink this morning. For anyone else in the same situation as us, holders of the 820 Visa waiting on their 801/PR are elligable for Centrelink assitance if they've lost their job due to the Pandemic according to the person we just spoke with. Still not sure on the details yet but apparently some sort of assistance is available.

    We wont be signing up, we'll hold out and wait for the annnouncements about rent etc. But good to know some help is available if we need it.

    • RC13 on 26/03/2020 - 16:59

      That's amazing if true, because most of the pages I've read say you need to wait for 104 weeks after PR is approved (i.e. the 801 visa granted) before being eligible for Centrelink. Hopefully they've waived this requirement due to the unprecedented crisis.

      • SkMed on 26/03/2020 - 19:21

        Yeah agreed! Having to wait up to 6 or 7 years of working full time and paying tax here seems a bit rough, not to mentioned the cost of getting the visa on top.

        Although it is centrelink and the person we spoke to could possibly just be incorrect. Wouldnt be the first time Centrelink has given out the wrong info, so just take it with a grain of salt, but worth a call through if you are in the same position as us.

    • Sharpy96 on 31/03/2020 - 13:52

      I’m in a very similar situation except I haven’t lost my job they’ve just cut my hours from 40 to 16, and my partner has lost his job so we’re a bit stuck. I’ve struggled to find anything consistent at all about people on the temp partner visa. I’m on subclass 309 which is the same as your wife’s just I applied offshore instead of onshore.
      What did centrelink say about financial support for people on our visas if you don’t mind me asking? Did they just say we’re eligible for all the same stuff PR are eligible for (jodseeker etc)? I can’t get through to them at all and online info I can find is pre-covid!

      • SkMed on 31/03/2020 - 17:44

        Sorry to hear, it's a tough situation :(

        We got through to Centrelink and they said she is eligible for assistance, so I imagine your partner would be too.

        I think it's because if you hold an 820 or 309 Visa you are excluded from being and Australian Resident:
        https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/individuals/services/ce…

        "Partner provisional visas
        You may be exempt from being an Australian resident, for limited payments and concessions. This is if you hold a partner provisional visa including both:

        subclass 820 - Partner visa (temporary)
        subclass 309 - Partner visa (provisional)."

        Centrelink weren't clear on what the assistance is exactly though and the info above just says "for limited payments and concessions". They told her to sign up for the CRN number and link her mygov account however wev'e not taken that step yet, the sites keep going down and we are still holding off to find out what relief becomes available first.

        She might be better off with the newly announced JobKeeper allowance at this point though, her workplace is signing up and will re-hire her if shes eligible… again, it's unclear if she is currently though.

        • Sharpy96 on 31/03/2020 - 19:02

          I believe if you are eligible for jobseeker then you’re eligible for JobKeeper, just going off what I heard. I’m actually the partner on 309 and my boyfriend is the Australian! I’m hoping for the JobKeeper allowance too as it would mean I don’t lose any money at all, but currently it’s looking like it might be all or nothing with any potential relief people like me and your wife might get.
          If you don’t mind, could you reply if you hear any additional info if your wife hears anything more from centrelink? And I’ll do the same if I hear anything :)

          • SkMed on 31/03/2020 - 22:12

            @Sharpy96: Oh right, yes I missread. Also my partner is not my wife, just my partner, haha.

            Sure thing, we've been keeping an eye on this as it affects us and what we might do for the remainder of 2020. Again the info on Jobkeeper is ambigious and missleading. The article below for example says:

            "To qualify, you must also be an Australian citizen – or hold a permanent visa, a protected special category visa or a non-protected special category visa and have been living in Australia continually for a decade or more."

            "A permanent visa" Indicates to me that 820 (and 309) Visa holders should be elligable as you could say they are technically permanent visas, however there is no official definaition for "permanent visa" then directly below that paragraph it says "FOREIGN WORKERS MISS OUT" Ugh.

            https://www.news.com.au/finance/economy/australian-economy/c…

            • Sharpy96 on 01/04/2020 - 08:40
              +2

              @SkMed: Oh sorry I don’t know why I assumed wife! But yeah the whole thing is insanely confusing for us, there is no solid answer anywhere I don’t know why they can’t just write a definite list of visas which are eligible! I don’t think it’s fair to lump the 309 and the 820 in with with working holiday and students etc, as people like me and your partner are simply waiting for our PR and intend on staying in Australia. I understand why the gov doesn’t want to bail out people on temp visas who will be leaving in 6 months, but my visa has no expiry and will only end when my PR comes through. Australia truly is my home and I feel like we’ve got a rough deal being lumped in with the other temporary visa categories like working holidays (if that is the case).

              • SkMed on 01/04/2020 - 08:57
                +1

                @Sharpy96: Totally agree. Maybe try call centrelink if you have time and ask? My partner unfortunately didn't ask for any details and I suspect maybe they gave her the wrong info potentially. Would be great if someone else in a similar situation could find out and confirm.

                • Sharpy96 on 01/04/2020 - 19:08

                  @SkMed: Will do, I’ve tried about 7 times now with no luck but will keep going. I’ll let you know if I get through and find out any new info

  • AmyG on 02/04/2020 - 10:24

    I am in the same situation. Currently on an 820 and waiting for my 801. I applied for jobseeker payments a week and a half ago and just got a call that it has been rejected due to my visa status…
    The lady from services Australia told me to get in contact with the ATO to see if I am eligible for the jobkeeper instead. I understood that they are still discussing this in parliament at the moment so not sure if I will call today. Also I am a sole trader so wasn’t employed. So not sure if that would still make me eligible. Hopefully the Immi people are working from home and can grant the 801 quickly!

    • AmyG on 02/04/2020 - 12:06

      I do think it's weird as an 820 visa is provisional and not temporary, there is a difference in that.

      • AmyG on 02/04/2020 - 12:18

        Is it me or is this really vague?

        Partner provisional visas
        You may be exempt from being an Australian resident, for limited payments and concessions. This is if you hold a partner provisional visa including both:

        subclass 820 - Partner visa (temporary)
        subclass 309 - Partner visa (provisional).

        https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/individuals/services/ce…

        • PissLUR on 02/04/2020 - 12:22

          For limited payments.

          They are eligible for dad and partner payment, family tax benefits and the like.

        • SkMed on 02/04/2020 - 17:42

          Yes, its extremely ambiguous and confusing :( We were told my partner was eligible, but I now suspect that the centrelink employee might have been mistaken. We are hoping she is eligible for the Jobkeeper benefit instead but from what I have read it doesn't look likely.

    • PissLUR on 02/04/2020 - 12:23

      Even if you are granted the 801 visa. There is still waiting periods for welfare payments.

    • PissLUR on 02/04/2020 - 12:32

      When was your 820 visa granted?

      • AmyG on 02/04/2020 - 12:34

        September 2019. And will be eligible for the 801 visa in June 2020.

        • SkMed on 02/04/2020 - 17:44

          Ah, so you've not yet applied for the 801?

          My partner has been on the 820 for some time and already applied for the 801. Now just waiting for it to process. Maybe that makes a difference for us and centrelink since we've already aplied for the 801… Might be less likely if you've not yet applied I'd imagine.

          • AmyG on 03/04/2020 - 11:37

            @SkMed: No I have not been able to apply yet! Hope it makes a difference for you guys. Just fill everything in online, even though it might not be applicable now, they might change the rules again!

  • rubenastley on 08/04/2020 - 20:28

    In the same position. Any news on eligibility?

    • SkMed on 08/04/2020 - 22:21

      Unfortunately nothing concrete :(

      • rubenastley on 09/04/2020 - 08:11

        All good. I do feel the link you provided might be a typo. Maybe they meant 801 visa?

        Still worth checking up with centrelink. Might give them a call in a bit once it settles down.

        • Sharpy96 on 09/04/2020 - 09:14

          I called them this morning and got through no problem, they didn’t know about eligibility for our visa though. They just said I’d have to apply and see

          • SkMed on 09/04/2020 - 11:16

            @Sharpy96: Yeah we got through again this morning, pretty much said the same thing, apply and see for Jobseeker. They said not enough details have been released for Jobkeeper to know about eligibility yet though.

            • Sharpy96 on 09/04/2020 - 12:28

              @SkMed: I believe jobkeeper is through the ATO not centrelink? Immigration requested my police certificate this morning so hopefully I can get my PR and know for certain I’m eligible for jobkeeper, because my savings are drying up scarily fast if I’m not eligible for anything!

              • SkMed on 09/04/2020 - 17:27

                @Sharpy96: Yes that's correct.

                Good news about the certificate, how long has it been since you applied for the 801?

                • Sharpy96 on 10/04/2020 - 15:24

                  @SkMed: So because I applied offshore its the 100 instead of the 801 for permanent residency, but I submitted all my evidence on the 21st January 2020. There's another forum I follow which is dedicated to the subclass 100, and people who applied in Jan have been getting their 100 granted over the past few days. When did your partner apply for the 801?

              • SkMed on 09/04/2020 - 17:28

                @Sharpy96: It's my understanding if you have/get your PR/801 you'll be eligible, just unsure if you are while waiting after applying.

                • Sharpy96 on 10/04/2020 - 15:24

                  @SkMed: Yeah I believe that's right

                  • SkMed on 10/04/2020 - 23:51
                    +1

                    @Sharpy96: Surely that cant be right, How are people getting it in just 4 months? The usual waiting time for that is 13 to 24 months according to immi.homeaffairs.gov.au

                    We applied for the 801 on Jan 17 2020, waiting time on ours is technically shorter than the 100 at 11-22 months and we're still yet to hear anything.

                    • Sharpy96 on 11/04/2020 - 11:59

                      @SkMed: Yeah the official waiting times for the 309/100 are always way off, I got my 309 visa 4 weeks after applying even though the official waiting time was meant to be 12+ months. I think nationality of the person also is a contributing factor (immigration considers countries either low-risk or high-risk, as prejudiced as that may be). 3-4 months is currently the standard waiting time according to the subclass 100 waiting room forum I'm in, looks like mine will be roughly the same with my AFP certificate being requested.
                      Unfortunately onshore partner applications always take considerably longer than offshore, I assume due to there being a lot more applications onshore (think backpackers who meet their BF/GF here and want to stay make up a huge amount).

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