Australia Centrelink Guide
Centrelink is the welfare and payments service run by the Australian Government (Services Australia). Even as a foreigner living in Australia, you may be able to receive some support depending on your visa type and residency requirements. Eligibility and amounts vary with your situation and change often, so always check your own eligibility on the official site before claiming.
This page is general guidance and does not replace an individual eligibility assessment. Payment types, amounts, residency requirements and waiting periods change often with government policy. Check whether you can claim and the exact amount at Services Australia (servicesaustralia.gov.au) for your own situation.
What is Centrelink?
Centrelink is the payments agency under Services Australia, handling a range of payments including income support, family support and student support. Most payments are primarily for Australian citizens or permanent residents, but some temporary visa holders can also claim things like family or crisis support under certain conditions. Below is an overview of the main payment types.
Main payment types
- JobSeeker Payment — income support for people looking for work (if residency, age and eligibility requirements are met)
- Youth Allowance — support for young people who are students, apprentices or job-seekers
- Austudy — study support for people aged 25 and over in full-time study or an apprenticeship
Residency Requirements and Waiting Periods
Residence requirements
Most income-support payments require you to be residing in Australia and usually to be an Australian citizen or permanent resident. Temporary visa holders (working holiday, student, some bridging visas, etc.) often aren't eligible for general income support, but some items such as child-related family support or crisis support may be claimable under separate conditions. Always check officially what's possible on your visa.
Newly Arrived Resident's Waiting Period
Even if you've just received permanent residency, some payments have a 'newly arrived resident's waiting period' where you can only claim after a set time has passed since arriving in Australia (or obtaining PR). The length of the waiting period and which payments it applies to vary with policy, so check the exact period in official guidance.
- The payments affected and any exemptions differ per payment (refugees, humanitarian visa holders and some others may be exempt).
- Some support (e.g. certain family payments) may be available even during the waiting period.
Linking myGov
Centrelink online services are accessed through the government's integrated portal, myGov. After creating a myGov account and 'linking' the Centrelink service, you can claim, submit documents and check payment history online. You can also do many tasks via the mobile apps (myGov, Express Plus Centrelink).
Linking Centrelink to myGov
- Create or sign in to a myGov account at my.gov.au.
- Select 'Centrelink' from the list of services to link it.
- Complete the identity verification needed to link (e.g. a CRN or direct identity verification).
What is a CRN (Customer Reference Number)?
A CRN is the personal customer number issued by Centrelink, used to link your account and make claims. If you don't have a CRN, you can get a new one through identity verification in myGov or, if needed, by visiting a service centre. See the official guidance for how to get one.
Claim Process
Documents to prepare before claiming
- Proof of identity and residency status, such as passport and visa details
- Tax File Number (TFN) and bank account details (BSB and account number)
- Income and asset documents (for payments with an assets test)
- Any extra evidence required by the payment you're claiming (enrolment certificate, tenancy agreement, etc.)
Support by Situation (Students, Job-seekers, Families, etc.)
Eligible people in full-time study or an apprenticeship can claim study support such as Youth Allowance or Austudy, depending on age and eligibility (if residency requirements are met). A student visa alone generally may not make you eligible, so checking is needed.
Eligible job-seekers receive income support through payments like JobSeeker Payment along with job-search obligations (mutual obligation). Eligibility includes residency, age and income requirements.
Households raising children can look into family support such as Family Tax Benefit, Parenting Payment and the Child Care Subsidy. Some items may apply to temporary visa families conditionally.
Useful Links
- Services Australia (Centrelink)(opens in a new window)
Official Services Australia Centrelink page — payment types, eligibility and how to claim
- myGov(opens in a new window)
myGov portal — create an account and link the Centrelink service
- Payment and Service Finder(opens in a new window)
Payment and Service Finder — the official tool that finds payments suited to your situation
Centrelink In-Depth Guide — Mutual Obligations, Means Testing, Visa-Based Eligibility and Claiming Online
Going beyond the payment overview and claim process covered in the basic guide, this section unpacks the practical details you'll actually run into as a recipient — mutual obligations, income and assets testing, visa-based eligibility, waiting periods, and the ins and outs of claiming online. All figures and eligibility criteria change regularly with government policy, so always base your final decisions on the official guidance from Services Australia (servicesaustralia.gov.au).
Mutual Obligations and JobSeeker Conditions in Depth
What Are Mutual Obligation Requirements?
If you're on JobSeeker Payment or Youth Allowance as a job seeker, you need to complete job search and employment preparation activities in return for your payment — these are known as 'mutual obligations'. Your activities are managed through your online account with Workforce Australia (workforceaustralia.gov.au), the government employment service, or through a contracted employment services provider. Requirements can be adjusted or waived based on personal circumstances such as illness or caring responsibilities, so always check your own account to see exactly what applies to you.
The Initial Appointment and Your Job Plan
Once your payment starts, you'll have an initial appointment with Workforce Australia or your provider, where you'll agree to and sign a Job Plan covering things like how many jobs to apply for, training participation and interview attendance. If you don't agree to a Job Plan, your payment may not start or may be stopped. Missing an appointment without notice is the most common reason payments get suspended, so if you need to change a time, reschedule in advance through the app or by phone.