The Guides to Social Policy Law is a collection of publications designed to assist decision makers administering social policy law. The information contained in this publication is intended only as a guide to relevant legislation/policy. The information is accurate as at the date listed at the bottom of the page, but may be subject to change. To discuss individual circumstances please contact Services Australia.

9.2.4 Visa subclasses 200-299 payment eligibility

Introduction

Note: The information below has been compiled by DSS as a guide only. It only covers residential qualification for social security payments and concessions for the specified visa subclasses. Visa holders must also meet other qualification requirements to receive a payment or concession card.

Visa subclasses and their conditions are the responsibility of the Department of Home Affairs. Please check the Department of Home Affairs website for any updates to visa details.

Payment eligibility

Visa subclass number Visa name Permanent residence visa AoS Sponsored/nominated Payments & concession cards residentially qualified for Additional information

200

Refugee

Yes - permanent

No AoS

Not sponsored

All payments and concession cards

Has a QRE (Note B) and NARWP exemption (Note C).

n/a

201

In-Country Special Humanitarian

Yes - permanent

No AoS

Not sponsored

All payments and concession cards

Has a QRE (Note B) and NARWP exemption (Note C).

n/a

202

Global Special Humanitarian

Yes - permanent

Discretionary AoS (under Community Support Program only)

No AoS if not under Community Support Program (Note A)

Not sponsored

All payments and concession cards

Has a QRE (Note B) and NARWP exemption (Note C).

n/a

203

Emergency Rescue

Yes - permanent

No AoS

Not sponsored

All payments and concession cards

Has a QRE (Note B) and NARWP exemption (Note C).

-

204

Woman at Risk

Yes - permanent

No AoS

Not sponsored

All payments and concession cards

Has a QRE (Note B) and NARWP exemption (Note C).

-

205

Camp Clearance

Yes - permanent

No AoS

Not sponsored

All payments and concession cards

Has a QRE (Note B) and NARWP exemption (Note C).

This visa is no longer issued and was repealed in November 1997.

206

Lebanese Concession

Yes - permanent

Mandatory AoS (Note A)

Not sponsored

All payments and concession cards

Has a QRE (Note B) and NARWP exemption (Note C).

This visa is no longer issued and was repealed in August 1994.

207

Soviet Concession

Yes - permanent

No AoS

Not sponsored

All payments and concession cards

Has a QRE (Note B) and NARWP exemption (Note C).

This visa is no longer issued and was repealed in August 1994.

208

East Timorese in Portugal, Macau or Mozambique

Yes - permanent

No AoS

Not sponsored

All payments and concession cards

Has a QRE (Note B) and NARWP exemption (Note C).

This visa is no longer issued and was repealed in November 1997.

209

Citizens of the Former Yugoslavia - Displaced Persons

Yes - permanent

No AoS

Not sponsored

All payments and concession cards

Has a QRE (Note B) and NARWP exemption (Note C).

This visa is no longer issued and was repealed in November 2012.

210

Minorities of Former USSR

Yes - permanent

No AoS

Not sponsored

All payments and concession cards

Has a QRE (Note B) and NARWP exemption (Note C).

This visa is no longer issued and was repealed in July 1999.

211

Burmese in Burma

Yes - permanent

No AoS

Not sponsored

All payments and concession cards

Has a QRE (Note B) and NARWP exemption (Note C).

This visa is no longer issued and was repealed in November 2000.

212

Sudanese

Yes - permanent

No AoS

Not sponsored

All payments and concession cards

Has a QRE (Note B) and NARWP exemption (Note C).

This visa is no longer issued and was repealed in November 2000.

213

Burmese in Thailand

Yes - permanent

No AoS

Not sponsored

All payments and concession cards

Has a QRE (Note B) and NARWP exemption (Note C).

This visa is no longer issued and was repealed in November 2000.

214

Cambodian

Yes - permanent

No AoS

Not sponsored

All payments and concession cards

Has a QRE (Note B) and NARWP exemption (Note C).

This visa is no longer issued and was repealed in November 1997.

215

Sri Lankan (Special Assistance)

Yes - permanent

No AoS

Not sponsored

All payments and concession cards

Has a QRE (Note B) and NARWP exemption (Note C).

This visa is no longer issued and was repealed in November 2000.

216

Ahmadi

Yes - permanent

No AoS

Not sponsored

All payments and concession cards

Has a QRE (Note B) and NARWP exemption (Note C).

This visa is no longer issued and was repealed in November 2000.

217

Vietnamese

Yes - permanent

No AoS

Not sponsored

All payments and concession cards

Has a QRE (Note B) and NARWP exemption (Note C).

This visa is no longer issued and was repealed in July 1999.

Notes

Note Explanation
A

Certain visas require an AoS. An AoS is a commitment by one or more Australian residents as defined by the SSAct section 7(2) (the assurer) to provide financial support to a new resident (the assuree) during the AoS period (between 12 months and 10 years, depending on the visa). It is also a legal commitment to repay the Commonwealth certain social security payments, if such payments are made to the new resident while the AoS is in force.

Policy reference: SS Guide 9.4.1.10 Overview of the AoS scheme
B

Refugees and former refugees have a QRE under SS Act section 7(6) for all payments and concession cards.

Holders of visa subclasses 200, 201, 202, 203, 204 and 851 are regarded as refugees due to a Ministerial declaration under section 25 of the SSAct for the purposes of subparagraph 7(6B)(c)(iii).

Policy reference: SS Guide 1.1.Q.35 Qualifying residence exemption (QRE)
C

Refugees, former refugees and family members of a refugee have a NARWP exemption for all payments and concession cards.

Policy reference: SS Guide 3.1.2.43 Exemptions from the NARWP

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