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Claiming

You should submit your claim for Youth Allowance as soon as possible, so that you can be paid from the earliest possible date. There are different ways to claim depending on whether you are studying, training, or looking for work.

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How to claim

If you are studying full-time, planning to study full-time in the future, or undertaking a full-time apprenticeship or traineeship:

  • you can make a claim for payment online, up to 13 weeks before you start your course or apprenticeship.

If you are looking for work:

  • you will need to register an intent to claim by phoning us on 13 2490, visiting any Centrelink Customer Service Centre, or getting someone else to phone Centrelink for you.

Claiming online

Completing an online claim

We will ask questions about your circumstances including the bank account you would like to have payments made to and your tax file number. Once you submit your claim you will need to provide proof of identity, proof of any income you receive and, depending on your circumstances, your partner's, parents', or guardians' income.

Documentation

We will also tell you if there are other verification documents and forms you need to provide. You will need to submit these within 14 days. The sooner we receive your documents, the sooner we can process your claim.

Claim outcome

We will send you a letter advising if your claim has been successful. If you are eligible for Youth Allowance, the letter will also outline when your payment will start and how much you will get.

If you disagree with a decision we make

You always have the right to appeal any decision made by Centrelink.

More information

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