Money, Money, Money

Centrelink is run by the Australian Government, so the same rules apply across Australia.

The main payments for young people aged 16–25 are:

• Youth Allowance
  Financial support while studying, doing an apprenticeship, or looking for work — Available to ages 16–24 (students/apprentices) or 16–21 (job seekers)
• JobSeeker
  For people aged 22 and over who are looking for work
• ABSTUDY
  For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and apprentices
• Special Benefit
  For people in financial hardship who are not eligible for other payments, including some temporary visa holders in extreme circumstances

Parental income and independence

• If you are under 22 and dependent on your parents, their income is assessed and may reduce or cancel your payment
• If you are under 18 and dependent, your payment will usually be paid to your parent or guardian
• Independent rate: You may qualify for a higher independent rate if you are 22 or over, or if you are aged 15–21 and it is unsafe or unreasonable for you to live at home, you are in state care, or you are an orphan or refugee

Visa and residency requirements

You generally need to be an Australian citizen or permanent resident to access most Centrelink payments

• Temporary visa holders (e.g. student visas, working holiday visas) are generally not eligible for Centrelink payments
• Refugees and humanitarian visa holders are eligible for most payments immediately
• Newly arrived permanent residents may face waiting periods before accessing most payments – though exceptions apply in hardship

Check your specific payment and visa type at | 🌐 servicesaustralia.gov.au – eligibility varies

Disability Support Pension (DSP)

Young people aged 16 and over with a permanent physical, intellectual, or psychiatric condition that prevents them from working 15 or more hours per week may be eligible for the Disability Support Pension

• The DSP is generally a higher payment than Youth Allowance
• Eligibility is assessed by Services Australia and usually requires medical evidence and a Job Capacity Assessment
• If you think you or someone you support may be eligible, get help early — the application process can be complex

A useful starting point is DSP Help at | 🌐 dsphelp.org.au or contact a legal or support service for assistance

Challenging a Centrelink decision – Time limits

• 13 weeks: Ask for a review within 13 weeks of the decision to potentially receive backdated payments
• After 13 weeks you can still appeal but changes only apply from the date you ask
• There is no time limit to appeal a Centrelink debt — but get legal advice before disputing a debt as the amount can sometimes increase during review

You can request a payment pause on debt repayments while a review is underway.

Debt can come from many places – phone bills, energy bills, overdue rent, buy now pay later services, fines, or Centrelink overpayments.

Most debts have options

• Payment plans
  Most creditors, government agencies and utility companies must consider a payment plan if you cannot pay in full — ask early
• Hardship provisions
  If you are experiencing financial hardship, utility companies, banks and some lenders are legally required to work with you — ask to speak to their hardship team
• Do not ignore debt
  Ignored debt attracts fees, interest, and can eventually lead to court action or affect your credit report

Buy now pay later (BNPL) (Afterpay, Zip etc.)

• These are credit products regulated under the National Consumer Credit Protection Act 2009 (Cth)
• Missing payments leads to fees and can affect your credit record — if you are in hardship, contact the provider

T&Cs

• Always read the full terms and conditions before signing up
• Do not rely on advertising alone
• Key things to check include what fees apply for missed payments, how repayments are scheduled, and whether the provider can report you to a credit reporting body

Fines

• If you have an unpaid fine in Victoria, you may be able to apply for an extension, payment plan, work and development permit (where you can work off the fine through community service, counselling, or a course), or in some cases have the fine waived

Don’t ignore a fine

• Unpaid fines can be referred to Fines Victoria for enforcement, which can include licence suspension or sheriff action
• Use Fines Fixer — a free online tool for Victorians to understand and manage their fines | 🌐 finefixer.org.au

National Debt Helpline

For FREE financial counselling call | 📞 1800 007 007 (Monday to Friday, 9:30am–4:30pm) or visit | 🌐 ndh.org.au

Payday loans (Small Amount Credit Contracts, or SACCs)

• Payday loans (also called Small Amount Credit Contracts, or SACCs) are short-term loans of up to $2,000
• They are legal — but expensive
• Lenders can charge an establishment fee of up to 20% of the loan amount and a monthly fee of up to 4%
• This means a $500 loan can cost significantly more than $500 to repay

Before taking out a payday loan

• Before taking out a payday loan, consider free alternatives
• No Interest Loan Scheme (NILS) loans are available for eligible people on low incomes
• Financial counsellors can help you find other options
• Call the National Debt Helpline on | 📞 1800 007 007 or visit | 🌐 ndh.org.au
• Visit: For more information see MoneySmart | 🌐 moneysmart.gov.au

What is a credit report?

• A credit report is a record of your borrowing and repayment history
• It can affect your ability to get a loan, phone plan, or rental in the future
• Missed payments, defaults, and court judgments can stay on your credit report for up to five years

Accessing your credit report

• You are entitled to one free copy of your credit report per year from each credit reporting body — the main ones are Experian and Equifax
• You can request your report directly through their websites below
• If you find an error, you have the right to request a correction

Experian Australia | 🌐 www.experian.com.au
Equifax | 🌐 equifax.com.au

HECS-HELP

• If you study at university, you can defer your tuition fees through HECS-HELP — you do not pay upfront
• The debt is repaid through the tax system once your income reaches a set threshold (currently $54,435 for the 2025–26 income year)
• HELP debt does not appear on your credit report and does not attract interest, but it is indexed to inflation each year on 1 June

VET Student Loans

• VET Student Loans work similarly for some vocational courses
• Be aware that if you withdraw from a course after the census date, you may still incur the debt even if you did not complete the subject

Source: Higher Education Support Act 2003 (Cth) — HECS-HELP; VET Student Loans Act 2016 (Cth).

If you need urgent assistance or feel unsafe right now, call 000.

Legal advice: Do you think you may have a legal issue and would like advice? Free and confidential help is available.

Contact:

• Barwon Community Legal Service | 📞 1300 430 599 | 📱 Text 0487 182 273 | or click here to request an appointment online
• Victoria Legal Aid | 📞 1300 792 387 | 🌐 legalaid.vic.gov.au/contact-us | 💬 Webchat
• Youthlaw | 📞 (03) 9113 9500 | 🌐 youthlaw.asn.au | ✉️ info@youthlaw.asn.au | Free legal advice for under 25s

More support for this topic:

• Meli | 📞 (03) 5226 8900 | 🌐 meli.org.au/money-help
  Get support and counselling for financial services including emergency relief and Gambler’s Help

• National Debt Helpline | 📞 1800 007 007 | 🌐 ndh.org.au
  FREE financial counselling – call (Monday to Friday, 9:30am–4:30pm)

• MoneySmart | 🌐 moneysmart.gov.au
  Provides Australians with trusted financial guidance, calculators, and tips to manage their money, reduce debt, and plan for the future

If you need to speak to someone urgently please call:

• Lifeline (Free 24/7) | 📞 13 11 14 | 🌐  Webchat | 📱 Text 0477 131 114
  Crisis support and suicide prevention

• Kids Helpline (Free 24/7) | 📞 1800 551 800 | 🌐 kidshelpline.com.au
  Counselling service for young people aged 5 to 25

• 🌈 Rainbow Door (10-5pm every day) | 📞 1800 729 367 | 📱 Text 0480 017 246 | 🌐 rainbowdoor.org.au 
  Free helpline and specialist support service for LGBTIQA+ Victorians, their friends and families

• 🖤💛❤️ 13YARN (Free 24/7) | 📞 13 92 76 | 🌐 13yarn.org.au
  Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander crisis support line developed and run by community in partnership with Lifeline

Other helpful resources:

• Ask Izzy | 🌐 askizzy.org.au
  FREE directory to find local housing, food, and support services near you

• Quick Help Guide (BAT Force) | 🌐 batforce.org.au/quick-help-guide
  A practical guide connecting you to support for food, housing, mental health, family violence, financial stress and tenancy

• YouthNav (Youth Central) | 🌐 youthcentral.vic.gov.au/youthnav
  A life skills and information hub for young people aged 12 to 25 that helps build knowledge, confidence, and independence into adulthood

Check out the videos, fact sheets and resources below for more information or try our Legal Health Check Here!