Myth: Centrelink Payments for Refugees and Pensioners

Act Now >> Centrelink Myth

Urban legends claiming that refugees receive more in Centrelink payments than pensioners, are once again circulating by e-mail.

Below, Pamela Curr, ASRC Campaigns Co-ordinator, provides a friendly and informative reply which you can send to friends who receive this chain e-mail or who are confused by these myths. You can also find other rebuttals of this myth on the ABC's Media Watch website and on the Snopes.com catalogue of urban legends.

Centrelink Payments for Pensioners and Refugees - The Real Deal

Hi Folks,

About two years back an e-mail claiming that refugees were paid more than pensioners began the rounds. It was not accurate but many believed it. It has resurfaced in the past month; racist rumours have a supernatural shelf life. It is currently being circulated through the Australian armed forces and stirring the racist pot.

So here is the deal. I know it well because I work with refugees and asylum seekers, and helped those who came out of detention in 2005-2007.

Refugees coming out of detention on Temporary Protection Visas (now about to be abolished) get what is called Special Benefit payments. This is the lowest Centrelink benefit available. In 2005 it was $404.00 per fortnight for singles over 21years (less if you are under 21). They can also get up to $60.00 housing assistance per fortnight. These folk have been found to be refugees and are legally allowed to stay in Australia.

Under this Special Benefit payment they lose dollar for dollar for every dollar earned so for instance if they get part-time work 13.5 hours per week at $15 an hour- then they lose their Centrelink and their housing assistance as well. These folk also are not eligible for any help to get work, English classes or any federally-funded programs. They get no pharmaceutical benefits or assistance with phone and electricity bills. Special benefit has now been increased to $429.80 per fortnight.

See http://www.centrelink.gov.au/internet/internet.nsf/filestores/co038_0801/$file/co038_0801en.pdf

Old age pensioners (single rate) get $546.80 per fortnight.  Plus extra help with pharmaceutical benefits, power and phone bills. This is not a millionaire rate but it is $117 per fortnight more than refugees.

See http://www.centrelink.gov.au/Internet/internet.nsf/payments/pay_how_agepens.htm

You can check the links to see that this information is correct and find out more detail about couple rates, etc.

Please let others know. These false claims that refugees are getting a better deal than aged pensioners are not true and they cause some people to be abusive towards people they identify as refugees.

Thanks for looking for the truth.

Regards
Pamela Curr
Campaigns Co-ordinator
Asylum Seeker Resource Centre