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  • Individuals  >  Payments  > 
  • Youth Allowance - claiming
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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.

On this page
  • How to claim
  • Claiming online
  • Completing an online claim
  • Documentation
  • Claim outcome
  • If you disagree with a decision we make

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

  • Read the information you need to know about your claim for Austudy and Youth Allowance
  • Register for online services
  • Logon to online services if you already have a Customer Access Number and password.

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.

  • Reviews and appeals
  • Your rights

More information

  • Claim a payment
  • Factors affecting payment rates and eligibility
  • Youth Allowance section

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Youth Allowance

Eligibility

  • Eligibility criteria
  • Independence test
  • Study loads
  • Residence requirements

Payment and claim information

  • Payment rates
  • Other benefits
  • Income and Assets
  • Claiming

Other information

  • Reporting income
  • Leaving Australia
  • Change of circumstances
  • Finding out more

Explore www.centrelink.gov.au

Online services

  • all services
  • claiming a payment
  • FAQs
  • how to logon
  • online demonstrations
  • register
  • report employment income

Individuals

  • caring
  • crisis and special help
  • help after someone has died
  • illness or disability
  • looking for work
  • moved to Australia
  • parent or guardian
  • payments
  • retirement
  • self employed or farmer
  • services
  • studying or training

Businesses

  • centrepay
  • childcare providers
  • Centrelink confirmation eServices
  • employer FAQs
  • employer info

Community groups

Indigenous Australians

  • ABSTUDY
  • programs
  • publications

We speak your language

International

  • claim forms
  • international services
  • leaving Australia permanently
  • leaving Australia temporarily
  • social security agreements

Community recovery

  • Victorian Storms
  • South West Queensland Floods

Forms

  • a to z forms
  • claim forms
  • how to order

Publications

  • a to z publications
  • business
  • community
  • corporate
  • customer
  • how to order
  • Indigenous
  • multilingual

Careers@Centrelink

Media

  • Centrelink media releases
  • dates for your diary
  • fact bank
  • media contacts
  • media resources
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  • press kits
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  • subscription service

What's new

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  • Centrelink ABN: 29 468 422 437
  • Page last updated: 2 March 2010