@malt to answer yung 1st question mo, there is no medicare and centrelink benefits for 489 visa holders
Mahirap in what sense? As long as you have a job and you will live a lifestyle that you can afford then I think walang issue pero kapag wala kang work kahit anung visa type mo or even kaming locals e mahihirapan ka talaga.
In my own opinion di hamak na mas mahirap ang buhay ng mga nka student visa dito dahil sa limited working hours kaya mahirap for them na humanap ng work unlike with 489, you can work full time and no restriction sa hours.
Yung medicare and centrelink benefits lang nmn kc ung di maaavail ng 489 pero in my case, I am a local and been living in australia for ages pero never pa ako nag-claim ng centrelink benefit. Medicare, yes nagaavail ako pero ilang beses ka ba sa isang taon magkasakit? believe me, karamihan ng locals dito very rare gamitin ang medicare unless may sakit ka or cguro kung may kids ka na sakitin plus most of us here have private health insurance for tax purposes.
This is the key, if you and/or your partner has a job you will be able to survive, live a very decent life compared sa life sa pinas.
Maybe I need to create a separate thread sa forum explaining about 489 kasi marami ng nagtanong before about sa 489 like mahirap ba makahanp ng work, limited ba ung hours, etc. para maliwanagan ung ibang kababayan natin.
I hope I have given you some ideas sa sagot ko.