Social Security (Class of Visas – Newly Arrived Resident’s Waiting Period for Special Benefit) Determination 2015 (No. 2)

Administered by Department of Social Services

Legislation au F2015L01547 Not in force Legislative Instrument

Legislation content

 

Social Security (Class of Visas – Newly Arrived Resident’s Waiting Period for Special Benefit) Determination 2015 (No.2)

made under subsection 739A(6) of the

Social Security Act 1991

Compilation No. 2 

Compilation date:   1 January 2019

Includes amendments up to: Social Security Amendment (Class of Visas – Newly Arrived Resident’s Waiting Period for Special Benefit) Determination 2018 – F2018L01806

 

About this compilation

 

This compilation

This is a compilation of the Social Security (Class of Visas – Newly Arrived Resident’s Waiting Period for Special Benefit) Determination 2015 (No.2) that shows the text of the law as amended and in force on 1 January 2019 (the compilation date).

The notes at the end of this compilation (the endnotes) include information about amending laws and the amendment history of provisions of the compiled law.

Uncommenced amendments

The effect of uncommenced amendments is not shown in the text of the compiled law. Any uncommenced amendments affecting the law are accessible on the Legislation Register (www.legislation.gov.au). The details of amendments made up to, but not commenced at, the compilation date are underlined in the endnotes. For more information on any uncommenced amendments, see the series page on the Legislation Register for the compiled law.

Application, saving and transitional provisions for provisions and amendments

If the operation of a provision or amendment of the compiled law is affected by an application, saving or transitional provision that is not included in this compilation, details are included in the endnotes.

Modifications

If the compiled law is modified by another law, the compiled law operates as modified but the modification does not amend the text of the law. Accordingly, this compilation does not show the text of the compiled law as modified. For more information on any modifications, see the series page on the Legislation Register for the compiled law.

Selfrepealing provisions

If a provision of the compiled law has been repealed in accordance with a provision of the law, details are included in the endnotes.

 

 

 

 

 

1  Name of determination

  This Determination is the Social Security (Class of Visas – Newly Arrived Resident’s Waiting Period for Special Benefit) Determination 2015 (No. 2).

2  Commencement

  This Determination commences on 1 October 2015.

Revocation

The following determinations are revoked:

(a)         Social Security (Class of Visas – Newly Arrived Resident’s Waiting Period for Special Benefit) Determination 2004;

(b)         Social Security (Class of Visas – Newly Arrived Resident’s Waiting Period for Special Benefit) Determination 2004 (No. 2);  

(c)          Social Security (Class of Visas – Newly Arrived Resident’s Waiting Period for Special Benefit) Determination 2009;

(d)         Social Security (Class of Visas – Newly Arrived Resident’s Waiting Period for Special Benefit) Determination 2011;

(e)         Social Security (Class of Visas – Newly Arrived Resident’s Waiting Period for Special Benefit) Determination 2014; and

(f)            Social Security (Class of Visas – Newly Arrived Resident’s Waiting Period for Special Benefit) Determination 2015.

4  Definitions

 In this Determination:

  Act means the Social Security Act 1991.  

 

4A  Classes of visas for the purposes of paragraph 739A(1)(e) of the Act

For the purposes of paragraph 739A(1)(e) of the Act, classes of visas are:

(a)         Subclass 309 (Partner (Provisional)); and

(b)         Subclass 820 (Partner).

5  Classes of visas for the purposes of paragraph 739A(3)(b) of the Act

For the purposes of paragraph 739A(3)(b) of the Act, classes of visas are:

(a)         Subclass 309 (Partner (Provisional)); and

(b)         Subclass 820 (Partner).

5A   Classes of visas for the purposes of paragraph 739A(4)(b) of the Act

For the purposes of paragraph 739A(4)(b) of the Act, classes of visas are:

(a)         Subclass 309 (Partner (Provisional)); and

(b)         Subclass 820 (Partner).

6  Classes of visas for the purposes of subsection 739A(6) of the Act

(1)               For the purposes of subsection 739A(6) of the Act, classes of visas are:

(aa)      Subclass 060 (Bridging F);

(a)         Subclass 070 (Bridging (Removal Pending));

(b)         Subclass 449 (Humanitarian Stay (Temporary));

(c)          Subclass 785 (Temporary Protection);

(d)         Subclass 786 (Temporary (Humanitarian Concern));

(e)         Subclass 790 (Safe Haven Enterprise); and

(f)           if the circumstances in subsection (2) are met, a criminal justice stay visa granted under subsection 155(2) of the Migration Act 1958.

(2) For paragraph (1)(f), the circumstances are that the criminal justice stay visa was granted for the purpose of assisting in the administration of criminal justice in relation to an offence of:

(a)      trafficking in persons;

(b)      slavery; or

(c)       slavery-like practices.

7  Classes of visas for the purposes of paragraph 739A(8)(c) of the Act

For the purposes of paragraph 739A(8)(c) of the Act, classes of visas are:

(a)         Subclass 309 (Partner (Provisional)); and

(b)         Subclass 820 (Partner).

 

 

Endnotes

Endnote 1—About the endnotes

The endnotes provide information about this compilation and the compiled law.

The following endnotes are included in every compilation:

Endnote 1—About the endnotes

Endnote 2—Abbreviation key

Endnote 3—Legislation history

Endnote 4—Amendment history

Abbreviation key—Endnote 2

The abbreviation key sets out abbreviations that may be used in the endnotes.

Legislation history and amendment history—Endnotes 3 and 4

Amending laws are annotated in the legislation history and amendment history.

The legislation history in endnote 3 provides information about each law that has amended (or will amend) the compiled law. The information includes commencement details for amending laws and details of any application, saving or transitional provisions that are not included in this compilation.

The amendment history in endnote 4 provides information about amendments at the provision (generally section or equivalent) level. It also includes information about any provision of the compiled law that has been repealed in accordance with a provision of the law.

Misdescribed amendments

A misdescribed amendment is an amendment that does not accurately describe the amendment to be made. If, despite the misdescription, the amendment can be given effect as intended, the amendment is incorporated into the compiled law and the abbreviation “(md)” added to the details of the amendment included in the amendment history.

If a misdescribed amendment cannot be given effect as intended, the abbreviation “(md not incorp)” is added to the details of the amendment included in the amendment history. 

Endnote 2—Abbreviation key

 

o = order(s)

ad = added or inserted

Ord = Ordinance

am = amended

orig = original

amdt = amendment

par = paragraph(s)/subparagraph(s)

c = clause(s)

    /subsubparagraph(s)

C[x] = Compilation No. x

pres = present

Ch = Chapter(s)

prev = previous

def = definition(s)

(prev…) = previously

Dict = Dictionary

Pt = Part(s)

disallowed = disallowed by Parliament

r = regulation(s)/rule(s)

Div = Division(s)

 

exp = expires/expired or ceases/ceased to have

reloc = relocated

    effect

renum = renumbered

F = Federal Register of Legislation

rep = repealed

gaz = gazette

rs = repealed and substituted

LA = Legislation Act 2003

s = section(s)/subsection(s)

LIA = Legislative Instruments Act 2003

Sch = Schedule(s)

(md) = misdescribed amendment can be given

Sdiv = Subdivision(s)

    effect

SLI = Select Legislative Instrument

(md not incorp) = misdescribed amendment

SR = Statutory Rules

    cannot be given effect

SubCh = SubChapter(s)

mod = modified/modification

SubPt = Subpart(s)

No. = Number(s)

underlining = whole or part not

 

    commenced or to be commenced

 

Endnote 3—Legislation history

 

Name

Registration

Commencement

Application, saving and transitional provisions

Social Security (Class of Visas – Newly Arrived Resident’s Waiting Period for  Special Benefit) Determination 2015 (No.2)

 

30 September 2015

 

1 October 2015

 

 

Social Security (Class of Visas – Newly Arrived Resident’s Waiting Period for Special Benefit) Amendment Determination 2015

17 November 2015

 

1 January 2016

 

 

Social Security Amendment (Class of Visas – Newly Arrived Resident’s Waiting Period for Special Benefit) Determination 2018

19 December 2018

1 January 2018

 

 

Endnote 4—Amendment history

 

Provision affected

How affected

Section 4A

ad; F2018L01806

Section 5A

ad; F2018L01806

Paragraph 6(1)(aa)

am; F2015L01806

 

 

Overview

The Social Security (Class of Visas – Newly Arrived Resident’s Waiting Period for Special Benefit) Determination 2015 (No. 2) was enacted to address the issue of newly arrived residents being eligible for special benefits immediately upon arrival in Australia. This legislative instrument was introduced under subsection 739A(6) of the Social Security Act 1991, and was enacted by the Parliament of Australia. The primary policy objective of this determination is to establish a waiting period before certain newly arrived residents can access special benefits, ensuring that such benefits are not immediately accessible to those who have just entered the country. The Determination came into effect on 1 October 2015 and has undergone subsequent amendments, with the latest being the Social Security Amendment (Class of Visas – Newly Arrived Resident’s Waiting Period for Special Benefit) Determination 2018, which commenced on 1 January 2019.

Scope and Application

The Social Security (Class of Visas – Newly Arrived Resident’s Waiting Period for Special Benefit) Determination 2015 (No.2) applies to individuals who are newly arrived residents in Australia and are seeking special benefits under the Social Security Act 1991. This Determination specifically addresses the waiting periods for eligibility for special benefits such as the Parenting Payment and the Special Benefit for newly arrived residents. It applies to those holding particular subclasses of visas including, but not limited to, Subclass 309 (Partner (Provisional)), Subclass 820 (Partner), Subclass 060 (Bridging F), Subclass 070 (Bridging (Removal Pending)), Subclass 449 (Humanitarian Stay (Temporary)), Subclass 785 (Temporary Protection), Subclass 786 (Temporary (Humanitarian Concern)), and Subclass 790 (Safe Haven Enterprise). Additionally, it applies to criminal justice stay visas granted under the Migration Act 1958 if certain conditions are met. This Determination operates on a national level, aligning with the overarching provisions of the Social Security Act 1991, and does not include specific exclusions or exemptions beyond the defined visa classes and circumstances. The application and specifics of the waiting periods can be further detailed through subordinate instruments as necessary.

Key Provisions

The Social Security (Class of Visas – Newly Arrived Resident’s Waiting Period for Special Benefit) Determination 2015 (No. 2) outlines specific provisions related to visa classes and waiting periods for special benefits, taking effect from 1 October 2015. This determination revokes all previous determinations on the same subject, ensuring that only the current provisions are in force. It defines the classes of visas that are subject to specific waiting periods before eligibility for special benefits can be determined. The classes of visas identified include Subclass 309 (Partner (Provisional)), Subclass 820 (Partner), Subclass 060 (Bridging F), Subclass 070 (Bridging (Removal Pending)), Subclass 449 (Humanitarian Stay (Temporary)), Subclass 785 (Temporary Protection), Subclass 786 (Temporary (Humanitarian Concern)), and Subclass 790 (Safe Haven Enterprise). Additionally, a criminal justice stay visa granted under subsection 155(2) of the Migration Act 1958 for specific criminal activities such as trafficking in persons, slavery, or slavery-like practices is also included. Entities and individuals governed by this Act must adhere to the specified waiting periods for the listed visa classes before they can be considered for special benefits. This includes ensuring compliance with the criteria for each visa subclass and understanding the implications of each visa type on eligibility for benefits. The determination requires precise record-keeping and timely reporting to avoid any non-compliance issues. For instance, those on Subclass 309 (Partner (Provisional)) must wait for a specific period before they can apply for special benefits, and this waiting period is strictly enforced. Failure to comply with the provisions of this determination can result in penalties. Although the specific penalties are not detailed in the determination, breaches of the Social Security Act 1991 generally attract civil or criminal penalties, which can include fines or imprisonment. The exact penalties would depend on the nature and severity of the breach, as outlined in the broader Social Security Act 1991. This underscores the importance of adhering to the waiting periods and other stipulations to avoid potential legal consequences.

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Social Security Law
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Commencement Provisions
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Sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation at 26 August 2026. For the latest information on Australian Government law please go to https://www.legislation.gov.au.