ABSTUDY claim forms and information

On this page

• How to claim
• Intent to claim
• Claim forms to complete
• Other forms
• Returning forms

How to claim

You can claim ABSTUDY over the phone by calling us on 13 2317 or you can print the claim forms from this page, and return your completed forms to your nearest Centrelink Customer Service Centre.

You can lodge your completed forms in person, by mail, or you can nominate a person to lodge them for you.

To authorise a person to deal with Centrelink for you, refer to someone to deal with Centrelink for you.

Intent to claim

To make sure you get paid as soon as possible, and receive any backpayment due, you should register an intent to claim and lodge your completed claim forms within 13 weeks or by the closing date.

If you are a student, you must lodge your claim by 31 December of the current study year, or by the end of your course if you are studying a short course. Different closing dates apply if you are claiming ABSTUDY Pensioner Education Supplement.

If you are an Australian Apprentice, you can only be paid from the date you register your intent to claim or lodge your completed claim form.

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Claim forms to complete

The following steps will help you choose a claim form and information to suit your personal circumstances.

Step 1

Print and complete a claim form and read the information that best suits your own circumstances.

If you	Complete this form
Are a secondary student aged 15 years or younger and living at home Are a primary school student aged 14 years (as at 1 January)	Claim for ABSTUDY Schooling A
Are a student turning 16 years or older Are an independent student aged 15 years or older Are a student in State care Are a student aged 15 years or younger and boarding away from home Are an Australian Apprentice	ABSTUDY claim form
Are a student currently receiving a Centrelink or Department of Veterans' Affairs pension	Claim for ABSTUDY Pensioner Education Supplement
Are a student or Australian Apprentice and you want to claim: Incidentals Allowance only assistance for part-time study assistance to attend testing and assessment to gain entry to a tertiary course	Read information you need to know about your claim for ABSTUDY allowances and part-time award Claim for ABSTUDY allowances and part-time award
Are an ABSTUDY student or Australian Apprentice in lawful custody	Claim for ABSTUDY student or Australian Apprentice in lawful custody
Are a secondary boarding student from a remote area of Australia without access to a Centrelink remote service or agent	Information you need to know about your claim for ABSTUDY remote areas

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Other forms

Step 2

You may need to complete some additional forms that are identified when you complete your claim form. This will assist us to accurately assess your claim, based on your personal circumstances.

If you	Complete this form
Have to provide more information about yourself	ABSTUDY student additional information
Want to claim additional course costs, such as essential course or material costs	ABSTUDY additional incidentals allowance claim
Are claiming travel costs for trips home during breaks	ABSTUDY Fares Allowance claim
Have to travel away from your home for a short period of time as part of your course	ABSTUDY submission for away from base activity funding
Are aged under 16 years and boarding in an approved school	ABSTUDY claim for boarding school supplement for ABSTUDY approved boarders under 16 years
Have a change in your circumstances, or you want to make an enquiry	ABSTUDY change of circumstances / enquiries sheet
Have to provide family spending and savings details	Family spending and savings question guide
Have parents or guardians	Parent or guardian details
Have to verify your proof of identity	Proof of identity - verification for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
Are unable to live at home	Unreasonable to live at home details

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Returning forms

Step 3

Return your completed claim forms to your nearest Centrelink Customer Service Centre.

You may also need to provide proof of identity. If you are having difficulty in providing proof of identity documents, phone us on
13 2317 and a Customer Service Adviser can help you.

You may also be asked to provide proof of your income and, depending on your circumstances, the income and asset details for your partner, or your parents or guardians.

More information

For more information or to ask for help:

• refer to the ABSTUDY section
• phone us on 13 2317
• visit your nearest Centrelink Customer Service Centre

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