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If you are an Afghan evacuee who moved to Australia, you can apply for support depending on the type of visa you have.
What financial support you can get on a 449 visa
If you have a 449 visa and you are in Australia, you can claim any of the following payments. You will not serve a waiting period. Read more about these payments:
- Child Care Subsidy
- Crisis Payment
- Double Orphan Pension
- Family Tax Benefit
- Low Income Health Care Card
- Parental Leave Pay
- Rent Assistance
- Special Benefit
- Stillborn Baby Payment.
Afghanistan humanitarian visa 449 Medicare eligibility
If you hold a valid 449 visa, you are eligible for Medicare from the date your visa is granted until your visa ceases.
You need to let us know if your Medicare card has expired and your visa is still valid. You need to give us documents that prove your identity and evidence of your valid visa. We can extend your eligibility for Medicare and send you a new Medicare card.
If you no longer have a 449 visa and you are a permanent resident, you need to let us know. You can send us documents that give proof of your identity and residence. We will then update your Medicare entitlement and send you a new Medicare card.
You can also use the Express Plus Medicare or myGov app to access your digital Medicare card.
What health services you can use
We have services to help you with health care and getting vaccines.
Help with general health care
If you have a valid 449 visa, you can use Medicare to get lower cost health care.
Read more about what’s covered by Medicare and how to enrol in Medicare.
Help with vaccines
While you are in Australia you can get your COVID-19 vaccinations for free. Read more about COVID-19 vaccinations on the Department of Health and Aged Care website. You don’t need a specific visa type to get a COVID-19 vaccination.
If you have had immunisations overseas, you can have them recorded on the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR).
Find out how to add overseas immunisations to the AIR. You will need to give proof of each one.
What other help you can get
Read about support available in the Afghanistan update on the Department of Home Affairs website.
We have services to help you with other support you may need.
Social work services
We have social workers who can help if you need to talk to someone for support.
They can help you with any of the following:
- use of mental health support services
- short term counselling
- information and referrals to other support services.
You can talk to a social worker by calling Centrelink and asking to speak with one. If you need an interpreter, let us know and we’ll arrange one for you. You can also call the Centrelink multilingual phone service.
You can also visit your nearest service centre and ask to speak with a social worker.
Information in your language
If you need information or to talk to someone in your language, we can help.
You can read, listen or watch information in your language.
If you have questions about Centrelink payments and services, call our Centrelink multilingual phone service.
If you need to talk to us about Medicare or Child Support, call us and we’ll arrange an interpreter for free. Call either the:
If you need a document translated so you can claim a payment or service, let us know when you call. We will do this for free.
Learn English
You may be able to get free English language classes under the Adult Migrant English Program. Read more about the Adult Migrant English Program on the Department of Home Affairs website.