Supporting you in the global recession

On this page you will find information about the wide range of services Centrelink offers and how to make a claim for payment.

It is important that you only use this information as a guide. We encourage you to contact us to discuss your individual circumstances, rather than trying to work out what you may or may not be eligible for.

On this page

• Facing redundancy/retrenchment
• First steps
• Claiming a payment
• Finalising your claim
• Additional payments and services
• Find out more

Facing redundancy/retrenchment

Centrelink offers a wide range of services for retrenched or redundant workers.

If you have been retrenched you should contact Centrelink and register to see if you are eligible for income support. This also applies if you are not eligible for income support, but wish to access employment services.

You may also need to provide an Employment Separation Certificate when testing your eligibility for income support.

Note: Leave or redundancy payments received upon termination of employment are likely to affect other Centrelink payments.

First steps

The first thing you should do is call Centrelink to discuss whether you are eligible for an income support payment.

• Employment Services 13 2850
• Retirement Services 13 2300.

Claiming a payment

Support payments are designed to help you when you do not have an income that you can live off. There are many different income support payments available, such as Newstart Allowance if you are unemployed, and the Age Pension for older Australians.

When you call Centrelink we will help you work out what you might be eligible for.

You can also tell us if you would like to register your intent to claim a Centrelink payment.

If you are claiming a payment because you are unemployed we will ask you some questions about your situation, such as:

• whether you have been made redundant or have left your job voluntarily
• details of any payouts you received when your job ended
• details of family circumstances, such as partners or dependants
• details of any savings or assets you might have.

We will talk to you about what you will need to do next and what documents you will need to provide. We will also refer you to a local employment service provider if necessary.

If you are claiming Age Pension, we will send you a claim form for you to fill in and return. You can also complete this form online.

Finalising your claim

You may also need to visit a Centrelink Customer Service Centre to provide documents to finalise your claim.

This may include proof of identity documents such as your birth certificate and driver’s licence. We may also ask you to provide financial documents such as bank statements, details of any assets you may own, employment separation certificates, and rental statements.

Once your claim is assessed we will send you a letter telling you if you are eligible for a payment, when your payment will start and how much you will get.

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Additional payments and services

There are additional payments and services that you may be able to get from Centrelink.

These include Concession and Health Care Cards and Rent Assistance. When you talk to us, we will tell you about your eligibility for these additional options.

Some services are available whether you are a Centrelink customer or not. These include:

• the Financial Information Service - offers free financial information and education
• Social work services - offers counselling and support, and information about community services.

You are able to authorise someone to deal with us for you if you prefer.

Recognising that Australia is a multicultural country, Centrelink services are available to people from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds. For publications in your native language refer to the We speak your language section of the website.

Find out more

On this website

• Career Information Centres
• Newstart Allowance section
• Age Pension section

Other websites

• Australian Taxation Office - Employer obligations checklist for when employees become redundant.
• Child Support Agency - Update child support details - prompt advice is recommended as child support payments may not be able to be backdated.
• Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations - early access to free services for redundant workers, eligibility and benefits, and extra PPP (Productivity Places Program) Training for Retrenched and Vulnerable Workers.
• NICRI Redundancy Service - funded by FaHCSIA, provides information to help consumers understand the various aspects and issues of being made redundant, including investments, retirements income streams and superannuation.

Publications

• Activity test and participation requirements for jobseekers factsheet
• Centrelink - the basics booklet
• Did you receive a leave or redundancy payment? factsheet
• Financial Information Service factsheet
• Have you recently lost your job?
• How Centrelink Social Workers can help you brochure
• Looking for work? booklet
• Retrenched or leaving your job? factsheet

Contact us

• phone Employment Services on 13 2850 or Retirement Services on 13 2300
• if you have a hearing or speech impairment phone the free TTY service on Freecall™1800 810 586
• send us a secure online message
• find your nearest Centrelink Customer Service Centre

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