According to new analysis by the Parliamentary Budget Office, annual welfare payments of $15 billion are received by foreigners living in Australia.
870,000 non-citizens who claim the benefits are mostly from Britain, New Zealand, Africa and the Middle East.
Of those non-citizens, 710,000 are from countries which have no social security agreement with Australia. An average of $17,500 each is received annually, or 83% of the $15 billion total.
Social security and welfare is currently at $158.6 billion but is expect to grow to $191 billion over the next three years. The analysis on the country’s social security system follows the Turnbull government’s crackdown on immigration with the 457 visas and citizenship test.
Source: www.businessinsider.com.au