What Is Centrelink?

What is Centrelink?

Centrelink offers financial help for young people who are studying or doing an Australian Apprenticeship full-time, training, looking for work or sick. If you're 16 to 24 years you might be eligible for Youth Allowance. If you're a full-time student or Australian Apprentice aged 25 or more, you might be eligible for Austudy.

If you're eligible for a student payment, it's easy to make a Youth Allowance claim online.

If you're already getting a student payment, there are a few things you need to do to keep your payment and avoid a debt. The good news is you can manage your payment online or using the Express Plus Students app.

You can:

• report your income
• make a claim for Youth Allowance (online only)
• update your address or contact details
• request an income statement
• claim an advance payment
• update your study details

For tutorials that show you how to complete these transactions online, and other handy tips to help you with your student payment, check out the links below!

Quick Facts

• If you're studying or planning to study full-time, or doing a full-time Australian apprenticeship, you can lodge a claim for Youth Allowance up to 13 weeks before you start your course or apprenticeship.
• Don't forget to report!
  If you're getting a student payment and you're required to report your income, make sure you report every fortnight, even if your income is zero. Report your income by 5pm on your reporting day to avoid any delays in receiving your payment.
• You need to let Centrelink know about any changes to your contact details or your study information within 14 days. The quickest way is online or using the Express Plus Students app.
• Once you've completed a transaction online or using the app, you don't need to contact Centrelink. They will let you know if you need anything else.

Helpful links

• Centrelink's YouTube channel - There are heaps of videos about Centrelink payments for students, trainees and apprentices, and tutorials to show you how to use Centrelink online accounts and the Express Plus Students app. Too easy!
• Student Update Facebook page - Follow Student Update on Facebook to receive information and ask questions about your Centrelink student payments.
• Student Update Twitter account - You can also follow Student Update on Twitter.
• News for Students and Trainees - Subscribe to receive news highlights once a month.
• Express Plus Students app - Download the Express Plus Students app and use it to manage your payments.