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Leaving Australia Temporarily

Most payments from Centrelink (except for certain pensions) can only be paid for temporary absences outside Australia and you must remain qualified for your payment while you are absent from Australia (that is, you continue to meet the normal qualification rules for the payment, your permanent home is still in Australia, and you are only absent from Australia temporarily, e.g. for a holiday or a visit).

Most payments can be paid for up to 13 weeks while you are outside Australia temporarily, although some payments are more restricted than this.

To find out how long you can get your payment if you are absent from Australia temporarily, see the list below. Please note: This information is a guide only and there are other circumstances which may affect payment outside Australia.

You must contact Centrelink if you are planning to leave Australia to have your particular circumstances assessed.

Payment Name Payment outside Australia
ABSTUDY Up to 13 weeks (e.g. during normal vacations) or for the duration of coursework that is part of the Australian course of studies.
Age Pension See Payment of pensions outside Australia.
Austudy Up to 13 weeks (e.g. during normal vacations) or for the duration of coursework that is part of the Australian course of studies.
Bereavement Allowance See Payment of pensions outside Australia.
Carer Allowance (adult) Up to 13 weeks (or for allowed respite period if travelling without care receiver).
Carer Allowance (child) Up to 13 weeks (or for allowed respite period if travelling without care receiver).
Carer Payment (adult) Up to 13 weeks (may be longer if in certain Agreement countries).
Carer Payment (child) Up to 13 weeks (may be longer if in certain Agreement countries).
Child Care Benefit Can be paid outside Australia if still receiving Family Tax Benefit, provided you are still paying for childcare in Australia.
Disability Support Pension See Payment of pensions outside Australia.
Double Orphan Pension Can be paid outside Australia if still receiving Family Tax Benefit, or longer in certain Agreement countries where that Agreement covers this payment.
Family Tax Benefit Part A For up to 13 weeks if paid at more than the base rate; up to 3 years at the base rate.
Family Tax Benefit Part B Up to 13 weeks.
Large Family Allowance
(paid with Family Tax Benefit A)		 Up to 3 years.
Baby Bonus This is generally paid as a lump sum and can be paid to Australian residents who are, or whose children are, temporarily outside Australia.
Maternity Immunisation Allowance This is generally paid as a lump sum and can be paid to Australian residents who are, or whose children are, temporarily outside Australia.
Mobility Allowance Up to 13 weeks (provided you remain qualified, e.g. are on holiday from your course or employment).
Multiple Birth Allowance
(paid with Family Tax Benefit A)		 Up to 3 years.
Newstart Allowance Only payable for certain reasons (e.g. crisis affecting an immediate family member, or for legal reasons such as attending a custody hearing) and only for as long as is required for that reason, but not more than 13 weeks.
Parenting Payment Up to 13 weeks, or longer if going to a country with which Australia has an Agreement covering this payment (widowed parenting payment customers only).
Partner Allowance Up to 13 weeks.
Pensioner Education Supplement Up to 13 weeks (e.g. during normal vacations) or for the duration of coursework that is part of the Australian course of studies, provided the main payment is payable.
Pharmaceutical Allowance Up to 26 weeks, provided your main payment is payable.
Remote Area Allowance Up to 8 weeks' absence from the remote area, provided your main payment is payable.
Rent Assistance Up to 26 weeks, provided your main payment is payable.
Sickness Allowance Only payable for certain reasons (e.g. crisis affecting an immediate family member, or for legal reasons such as attending a custody hearing) and only for as long as is required for that reason, but not more than 13 weeks.
Special Benefit Only payable for certain reasons (e.g. crisis affecting an immediate family member, or for legal reasons such as attending a custody hearing) and only for as long as is required for that reason, but not more than 13 weeks.
Telephone Allowance Up to 13 weeks, provided your main payment is payable.
Widow Allowance Up to 13 weeks.
Widow 'B' Pension See Payment of pensions outside Australia.
Wife Pension See Payment of pensions outside Australia.
Youth Allowance Full-time student - Up to 13 weeks (e.g. during normal vacations) or for the duration of coursework that is part of the Australian course of studies.

All other Youth Allowance customers - Only payable for certain reasons (e.g. crisis affecting an immediate family member, or for legal reasons such as attending a custody hearing) and only for as long as is required for that reason, but not more than 13 weeks.

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