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.

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 for their hardship team.
• 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.
• Do not ignore debt – ignored debt attracts fees, interest, and can eventually lead to court action or affect your credit report.

National Debt Helpline: free financial counselling – call 1800 007 007 (Monday to Friday, 9:30am–4:30pm).