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.

1.1.N.70 Newly arrived resident's waiting period (NARWP)

Usage

The NARWP applies to the following payments and benefits:

  • jobseeker payment
  • youth allowance
  • parenting payment
  • special benefit
  • austudy payment
  • mobility allowance
  • pensioner education supplement
  • farm household allowance
  • Commonwealth seniors health card
  • low income health care card
  • carer payment
  • parental leave pay
  • carer allowance
  • FTB Part A.

Definition

The NARWP is a period of time migrants must have been an Australian resident and in Australia before receiving certain payments or concession cards.

A 26 week waiting period was introduced from 1 January 1993 for selected payments. From 4 March 1997, it was extended to 104 weeks and a wider range of payments. From 1 January 2019, the NARWP was further extended to 208 weeks for various working age payments and concession cards; and new waiting periods of 208 weeks, 104 weeks and 52 weeks were introduced for a range of other payments. From 1 January 2019:

  • a 4 year (208 week) NARWP applies to
    • jobseeker payment
    • youth allowance
    • parenting payment
    • special benefit
    • austudy payment
    • mobility allowance
    • pensioner education supplement
    • farm household allowance
    • Commonwealth seniors health card
    • low income health care card
  • a 2 year (104 week) NARWP applies to
    • carer payment
    • parental leave pay
  • a 1 year (52 week) NARWP applies to
    • carer allowance
    • FTB Part A.

There is no NARWP for FTB Part B.

Under social security law, a NARWP means:

  • a CP NARWP under sections 201AA and 201AB
  • a CA NARWP under sections 966 and 967
  • a YA NARWP under section 549D
  • an Austudy NARWP under section 575D
  • a PES NARWP under section 1061PU
  • a JSP NARWP under sections 623A and 623B
  • an SpB NARWP under sections 739A
  • a MOB NARWP under sections 1039AA and 1039AB
  • a CSHC NARWP under section 1061ZH
  • a PP NARWP under section 500X and 500Y, or
  • a HCC NARWP under section 1061ZQ.

See FA Guide and PPL Guide for details of NARWP for FTB Part A and PLP.

Note: The NARWP also applies to the farm household allowance (FHA). FHA is paid under the Farm Household Support Act 2014 on behalf of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. The NARWP for FHA operates similarly to the NARWP for JSP. Please refer to JSP for policy guidance.

Note: A NARWP previously applied to the following ceased payments: PA, NSA, BVA, SA and DAPP. This information is for historical purposes only.

There are a number of exemptions from the NARWP and situations where a NARWP does not apply. These exemptions are listed in 3.1.2.43.

Act reference: SSAct section 7(4B) For the purposes of a newly arrived resident's waiting period …, section 23(1)-'newly arrived resident's waiting period', section 23(1)-'social security payment'

Farm Household Support Act 2014 section 42 Newly arrived resident's waiting period

Policy reference: SS Guide 3.1.2.40 Newly arrived resident's waiting period (NARWP), 3.1.2.43 Exemptions from the NARWP

Last reviewed: