Equivalent of the US social security in Australia?

In Australia, the equivalent of the United States Social Security program is called the age pension. It is a government-sponsored income support payment provided to eligible senior citizens, people with disabilities, and carers. The age pension is administered by the Department of Social Services and is designed to provide basic financial support to those in need.

To be eligible for the age pension in Australia, individuals must meet specific age, residency, and income and asset requirements. Generally, individuals must be at least 65 years of age (67 years from July 2023 onwards) and have lived in Australia for a minimum period. There are also income and asset tests that determine the amount of age pension an individual may be entitled to receive.

The age pension is not the only form of income support available to seniors in Australia. The government also provides other payments such as the disability support pension, the carer payment, and the veterans' pension. These payments are designed to assist specific groups of individuals with additional financial support based on their circumstances.