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Centrelink, allowances & payments

When you turn 16, if you are unemployed you can register with your local Centrelink office. Centrelink is a government organisation that can give you money if you don’t have financial support. If you are not sure if you are eligible for Centrelink payments, it is always best to apply.

Centrelink will look at your income and assets, and work out if you are entitled to financial help. If you are under 18 Centrelink may also look at your parents’ income and assets. If you are living with your partner Centrelink may also look at their income and assets.

If you are eligible, the type of payment and how much you get depends on your circumstances.

If you are unemployed you can register with your local Centrelink office even if you are not eligible for an allowance. By registering you can use a range of job search services.

Allowances and payments

Youth Allowance

Youth Allowance is for young people who need financial support while studying, training or looking for a job. You may be eligible if:

  • you are a full-time student aged 16 to 24
  • you are aged 16 to 20 and are looking for a full-time job or combining part-time study with looking for work.

You may be considered independent and may get a higher rate of Youth Allowance if you are aged between 15 and 24 and:

  • you are an orphan, a refugee or homeless
  • your parents can’t provide a home, care or support
  • you have a dependant child.

This can be complicated. Get legal help.

If you are sick and are temporarily unable to work, study or look for work, you may still be paid Youth Allowance. You have to get a medical certificate.

If you are under 18 and you leave school before finishing VCE and you don’t plan on doing any further study or training, you may not be eligible for a Centrelink payment. You may have to rely on your parents to support you unless you can find work. Get legal advice to see if you are eligible.

If you can’t live at home or stay at school or find suitable study or training programs, ask to see the social worker at your local Centrelink office to talk about your options. Call 131 021 to make an appointment.

Abstudy

Abstudy is for Koori and other Indigenous people who are studying. If you are at primary school you must be at least 14 years old to receive Abstudy. There is no age limit for secondary school students. Call Centrelink for more information.

Parenting Payment

If you have a dependent child you may be eligible for Parenting Payment. Call Centrelink for more information.

Special Benefit

If you are in financial hardship and can’t get any other type of income support you may be able to get a payment called Special Benefit. Call Centrelink for more information.

Disability Support Pension

If you are 16 or over and have a medical condition that is serious and it stops you from working or studying, you may be eligible for a Disability Support Pension. Ask Centrelink how to apply. You will need a report from your doctor and you may also need to see a doctor from Centrelink.

Keeping Centrelink up to date

Every time your circumstances change, tell Centrelink. Changes can affect how you are paid and how much you are paid. There can be problems if you don’t tell them. If you are unsure whether the change will affect your Centrelink payments, get legal advice.

Disagreeing with a Centrelink decision

If you think a Centrelink decision is wrong, talk to the person who made the decision. If you are still not happy you can ask for the decision to be reviewed by an Authorised Review Officer. You can do this by phoning or visiting your local Centrelink office.

If you still think the decision is wrong you can appeal to the Social Security Appeals Tribunal (link below). This is free but you must appeal within three months if you want to get ‘back pay’. Get legal advice before appealing.

More information

Centrelink & veterans’ affairs (general information)

Legal help for young people

Young people & work

Related publications

Am I old enough?

Related websites

Centrelink (new window)

How we can help

Call Victoria Legal Aid’s (VLA) Legal Information Service for free information over the phone about the law and how we can help you with your legal problem. You can speak to a legal information officer in English or ask for an interpreter. Phone (03) 9269 0120 or 1800 677 402 (country callers), Monday to Friday from 8.45 am to 5.15 pm.

VLA’s other free legal services include:

  • advice at VLA offices and other locations across Victoria
  • lawyers who are on ‘duty’ to help at many courts and tribunals.

For some matters we can provide you with a lawyer to help you run your case.

To find out more about any of our legal services see What we do.

Who else can help?

The Welfare Rights Unit of the National Welfare Rights Network provides assistance, including legal help, to people with social security problems.

See the National Welfare Rights Network website (new window) for contact details and fact sheets about Centrelink and social security matters.

Youthlaw is a community legal centre for young people up to the age of 25. Youthlaw can help with:

  • confidential legal advice, information and casework services
  • information about your legal rights and responsibilities.

See the Youthlaw website (new window), call them on (03) 9611 2412 or email info@youthlaw.asn.au.