Hiya..

Ok... im just gonna have a moan and see if anyone writes back about this.

I came into aussie to visit my girlfriend. We decided we were going to get married. After speaking to immigration all looks good. However a problem has now risen its ugly head. My gf has a child of almost two from a past relationship. She recieves benefit from centrelink. Im still here on a visitors visa so I CANNOT work. But center link have stopped her benefit because im going to be living with her.

How can they stop her benefit based on the fact that i'll be bringing an additional income into the family when I am not allowed to bring an additional income into the house. If I do - i'll get in trouble...

Centrelink suck...

Okay.. moaning over... comments please...

Is that the Sole Parent Benefit she gets ? for families with only one adult ?

If so, and you are now classed as a two parent family, she would have to change over to a different benefit class.

It doesn't sound right, that she wouldn't get any benefit, as these benefits are generally income tested, and not just depending on whether you have a partner or not.

She needs to make sure they have all the correct information.

Maybe you could return to your orginal country (UK or wherever), & apply for a Prospective Marriage Visa, then when you return on that visa you can work straight away. I guess this is one reason why applying on shore for spouse visas is not a recommended idea.
Sorry I don;t have a better suggestion for you.

goosesoup

Get your girlfriend to contact Centrelink again, and "nicely" ask them if they will allow an exemption, to keep her on the records as a "single parent" based on the fact that you are only a visitor, and not allowed by the Government to work or be involved in any centrelink benefits whatsoever.

I looked up the benefits available. It surprised me, a single parent with no income is allowed $18,692 per year in basic benefits, and then extra benefits on top of that based, on the Health care card, that can also be worth a tidy sum.

With a partner that comes down to $15,710, but then the partner is expected to be looking for work, obviously in your g/f's case exemptions "can" be applied, but may not be automatic.

Good luck

Hi everyone - thanks for your comments - all were useful. (of course!)
We've actually spoken to our local MP about this now and he also happens to be the shadow minister for immigration.. (how lucky is that!). Anyway... he basically said that we can get a letter from my accountant in the uk stating a few facts and then they should resume and pay whats due on the child benefit... Thanks for your comments though

-Goose-

Good luck - I hope it works out OK, and that you can marry soon as well