Apply Like a Pro: Simple Steps to Follow
Application 101: Get Started Now
1. JobSeeker Payment
read more(2) Get a myGov Account
If you don’t have one yet, create a myGov account at myGov Home | myGov.
Then, link it to Centrelink by following the instructions.
(3) Submit Your Claim
Sign in to myGov.
Select Centrelink > Payments and Claims.
Click Make a claim > JobSeeker Payment.
Complete the application with your details and upload the required documents.
(4) Provide Supporting Documents
Centrelink may ask for:
Proof of Identity: Passport, birth certificate, driver’s license.
Bank Account Details: For payments.
Employment Separation Certificate: If recently unemployed.
Income & Asset Information: Pay slips, rental agreements, or savings details.
Medical Certificates: If applying due to a medical condition.
(5) Attend Your Appointment
After submitting your claim, Centrelink may require an online or phone interview. This is to verify your situation and discuss job search requirements.
(6) Report Your Income & Meet Mutual Obligations
If approved, you must report your income every fortnight via myGov or the Centrelink Express Plus app.
If required, you must meet job search and employment activity requirements.
(7) Wait for Your First Payment
Processing times vary, but Centrelink will inform you once your claim is approved. Payments are usually made fortnightly.
Watch the video from Services Australia:
👉JobSeeker Payment – Services Australia
show less2. Rent Assistance
read more(2) Submit a Claim for an Eligible Payment
Since Rent Assistance is an additional payment, you don’t apply for it separately.
If you haven’t applied for a Centrelink payment yet (e.g., JobSeeker, Age Pension, Family Tax Benefit), you’ll need to apply for one first through myGov.
If you’re already receiving Centrelink payments, you just need to update your rent details.
(3) Update Your Rent Details
If you’re already receiving a Centrelink payment, you can update your rent details via:
Online: Log in to myGov, go to Centrelink > Update Rent Details.
Centrelink Express Plus App: Use the app to update your accommodation details.
(4) Provide Supporting Documents
Centrelink may ask for proof of rent to confirm your eligibility.
You may need to provide:
– A formal lease or tenancy agreement
– A rent certificate (SU523) – If your landlord is not on your lease, you can download this form from Services Australia and have them sign it.
– Rent receipts or bank statements showing payments
(5) Wait for Approval & Payments
Once your rent details are updated and approved, Rent Assistance will be automatically added to your Centrelink payment. You don’t need to apply separately.
– Payments are made fortnightly along with your existing Centrelink benefit.
– The amount depends on how much rent you pay and your household situation.
👉Rent Assistance – Services Australia
show less3. Parenting Payment
read morePlease note that you cannot submit a claim before the birth of a child.
(2) Get a myGov Account
If you don’t have one yet, create a myGov account at myGov Home | myGov.
Then, link it to Centrelink by following the instructions.
(3) Start Your Claim Online
Log in to myGov and select Centrelink.
Go to Payments and Claims > Make a claim.
Select Parenting Payment and follow the instructions.
Upload any required documents.
(4) Provide Supporting Documents
Centrelink may ask for:
– Proof of identity (e.g., passport, birth certificate).
– Birth certificate or details of the child you’re caring for.
– Proof of income and assets (e.g., pay slips, bank statements).
– Relationship status evidence (if applicable).
(5) Submit Your Claim & Wait for Approval
Once your claim is submitted, Centrelink will review it. Processing times vary, but you can track the progress through myGov.
👉Parenting Payment – Services Australia
show less4. Parental Leave Pay
read more(2) Talk to your employer
It’s advisable to discuss your plans with your employer at least 10 weeks before your child’s expected due date or adoption. You can negotiate your leave arrangements and clarify whether you intend to apply for Parental Leave Pay.
(3) Set Up a myGov Account
If you don’t already have one:
Go to my.gov.au and create an account.
Link Centrelink to myGov by following the prompts.
(4) Submit Your Claim Online
Log in to myGov and select Centrelink.
Go to Payments and Claims > Make a claim.
Select Parental Leave Pay and follow the instructions.
Provide details about your work history, income, and employer (if applicable).
Upload any required documents.
(5) Provide Supporting Documents
Proof of identity (e.g., passport, birth certificate).
Proof of birth or adoption (e.g., hospital birth record, adoption papers).
Employment details (e.g., pay slips, employer declaration).
(6) Submit Your Claim & Wait for Approval
Centrelink will review your claim and notify you via myGov.
If approved, payments will start after the birth/adoption is confirmed.
If you applied before birth, you must submit proof of birth via myGov or the Centrelink Express Plus app once your child is born.
(7) Receive Payments
Payments can be made directly to you or through your employer.
Payments are taxable, so consider how they impact your income.
👉Parental Leave Pay – Services Australia
show less5. Family Tax Benefit Part A&B
read more(2) Set Up a myGov Account
If you don’t already have one:
Go to my.gov.au and create an account.
Link Centrelink to myGov by following the prompts.
(3) Submit Your Claim Online
Log in to myGov and select Centrelink.
Go to Payments and Claims > Make a claim.
Select Family Tax Benefit and follow the instructions.
Provide details about your children, income, and care arrangements.
Upload any required documents.
(4) Provide Supporting Documents
Proof of identity (e.g., passport, birth certificate).
Proof of birth (if claiming for a newborn).
Income details (e.g., tax return, payslips).
Care arrangements (e.g., parenting plans, custody agreements if separated).
(5) Submit Your Claim & Wait for Approval
Centrelink will review your claim and notify you via myGov.
Processing times vary, but you can track the progress online.
If approved, payments will start from the date of eligibility.
(6) Keep Your Details Updated
You must lodge a tax return or notify Centrelink that you don’t need to.
Report any income changes to avoid overpayments.
Update Centrelink if your care arrangements change.
Watch the video from Services Australia:
Balancing Family Tax Benefits
👉Family Tax Benefit – Services Australia
show less6. Child Care Subsidy
read more(2) Set Up a myGov Account
If you don’t already have one:
Go to my.gov.au and create an account.
Link Centrelink to myGov by following the prompts.
(3) Submit Your Claim Online
Log in to myGov and select Centrelink.
Go to Payments and Claims > Make a claim.
Select Child Care Subsidy and follow the instructions.
Provide details about your income, work/study activity, and child care provider.
Upload any required documents.
(4) Provide Supporting Documents
Proof of identity (e.g., passport, driver’s license).
Your child’s birth certificate or Medicare details.
Bank account details for payments.
Proof of income (tax returns, pay slips).
Work/study details (if required for activity test).
(5) Wait for Approval & Link to Your Child Care Provider
Centrelink will review your claim and notify you via myGov.
Once approved, you must confirm your child’s enrolment with the childcare provider through myGov.
Your subsidy is paid directly to the provider, reducing your out-of-pocket costs.
(6) Keep Your Details Updated
Report any income changes to avoid overpayments.
Update Centrelink if your work or study activity changes.
Confirm your child’s enrolment details annually.
Watch the video from Services Australia:
👉Child Care Subsidy – Services Australia
show less7. Youth Allowance
read more(2) Set Up a myGov Account
If you don’t already have one:
Go to my.gov.au and create an account.
Link Centrelink to myGov by following the prompts.
(3) Submit Your Claim Online
Log in to myGov and select Centrelink.
Go to Payments and Claims > Make a claim.
Select Youth Allowance and follow the instructions.
Provide details about your income, study/work status, and personal situation.
Upload any required documents.
(4) Provide Supporting Documents
Tax file number
Proof of identity (passport, birth certificate, driver’s license)
Bank account details
Proof of study (enrolment confirmation if studying)
Income details (your income and parents’/partner’s income if applicable)
Evidence of why you need to live away from home
Proof of job search (if applying as a job seeker)
(5) Wait for Approval & Start Reporting
Centrelink will review your claim and notify you via myGov.
If approved, you must report your income every fortnight if you earn money from work.
(6) Keep Your Details Updated
Report any income changes to avoid overpayments.
Update Centrelink if your study or work situation changes.
If you stop studying or working, you may need to apply for a different payment.
👉Youth Allowance – Services Australia
show less8. Aged Pension
read more(2) Set Up a myGov Account
If you don’t already have one:
Go to my.gov.au and create an account.
Link Centrelink to myGov by following the prompts.
(3) Submit Your Claim Online
Log in to myGov and select Centrelink.
Go to Payments and Claims > Make a claim.
Select Age Pension and follow the instructions.
Provide details about your income, assets, and residency history.
Upload any required documents.
Tip: You can apply up to 13 weeks before reaching Age Pension age.
(4) Provide Supporting Documents
Proof of identity (passport, birth certificate, driver’s license)
Bank account details (for payments)
Proof of income and assets (payslips, tax return, superannuation details, property ownership)
Residency details (if born outside Australia)
(5) Wait for Approval
Centrelink will assess your claim and notify you via myGov or mail.
Processing time varies, but you can check the status via myGov.
(6) Keep Your Details Updated
Report any income or asset changes to avoid overpayments.
If you travel overseas, inform Centrelink as it may affect your payment.
You may need to reconfirm your eligibility periodically.
👉Age Pension – Services Australia
show less9. Carer Payment
read more(2) Set Up a myGov Account
If you don’t already have one:
Go to my.gov.au and create an account.
Link Centrelink to myGov by following the prompts.
(3) Submit Your Claim Online
Log in to myGov and select Centrelink.
Go to Payments and Claims > Make a claim.
Select Carer Payment and follow the instructions.
Provide details about your financial situation and the person you care for.
Upload any required documents.
Tip: You may also be eligible for Carer Allowance (a supplementary payment).
(4) Provide Supporting Documents
Proof of identity (passport, birth certificate, driver’s license)
Bank account details (for payments)
Medical forms (completed by the care recipient’s doctor)
Income and assets details (yours and the person you care for)
Residency details (if born outside Australia)
(5) Wait for Approval
Centrelink will assess your claim and notify you via myGov or mail.
Processing times vary, but you can track the status on myGov.
(6) Keep Your Details Updated
Report any income or asset changes to avoid overpayments.
If the condition of the person you care for changes, update Centrelink.
Inform Centrelink if you travel overseas as it may affect your payment.
👉Carer Payment – Services Australia
show less10. Disability Support Pension (DSP)
read more(2) Set Up a myGov Account
If you don’t already have one:
Go to my.gov.au and create an account.
Link Centrelink to myGov by following the prompts.
(3) Get Your Medical Evidence Ready
Medical reports from doctors or specialists (showing diagnosis, treatment, and impact on your ability to work).
Hospital records, test results, X-rays, or scans.
Employment history (if applicable) showing your inability to work.
Medical Evidence Checklist (use the Centrelink form to ensure you provide all required documents).
(4) Submit Your Claim Online
Log in to myGov and select Centrelink.
Go to Payments and Claims > Make a Claim.
Select Disability Support Pension and follow the instructions.
Upload all required medical documents and personal details.
Submit your application.
Tip: If applying online is difficult, you can apply in person at a Centrelink office.
(5) Wait for Centrelink’s Assessment
Centrelink may ask for additional medical assessments or refer you to a Job Capacity Assessment (JCA).
You will receive a notification via myGov or mail once a decision is made.
Processing times vary, but it can take several weeks to months depending on your case.
(6) Keep Your Details Updated
Report any changes in income, medical condition, or living arrangements.
Inform Centrelink if you travel overseas as it may affect your payment.
You may need to reconfirm your medical condition periodically.
Watch the video from Services Australia:
👉Disability Support Pension – Services Australia
show less