Australian Opposition Proposes Restricting Welfare Access to Non-Citizens

Leader of the Opposition Angus Taylor speaks to the media at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, on March 10, 2026. Hilary Wardhaugh/Getty ImagesAustralian Opposition Leader Angus Taylor has unveiled a proposal requiring migrants to become Australian citizens before accessing a range of welfare payments, including the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).Under the policy, non-citizens would be barred from accessing 17 government programs, including JobSeeker, paid parental leave, Family Tax Benefit, and the NDIS, until they obtain Australian citizenship.