Skip to Content

Student Services

Finance - Centrelink Information


Centrelink
Many students can benefit from the services provided by Centrelink. Below are some benefits which you may be eligible for as a student, so read on and if you believe you may be entitled to any of these benefits speak to the Financial Adviser on your campus or speak directly to your local Centrelink Office.

Centrelink is a Commonwealth Government Office that administers a range of allowances and benefits, for which students may be eligible. Many students will be eligible for Youth Allowance, Austudy, Abstudy or Pensioner Education Supplement (PES). Refer to the Youth Allowance/Austudy/Abstudy section. Other benefits or allowances that students may be eligible for depending on their circumstances are Youth Allowance (unemployed), Newstart, Special Benefit, Family Tax Benefit Part A and B, Parenting Payment, Partner Allowance, Childcare Benefit, Sickness Allowance, Mobility Allowance etc. If you would like more information refer to your local Centrelink Office or phone 132850 or 136150 or visit the Centrelink webpage. A Financial Adviser on your campus can also assist with forms, information, assistance and sometimes advocacy.

Further Information can also be found at LinkOnline, a regular e-newsletter provided by Centrelink, designed to give students information and support. Visit Centrelink's LinkOnline for more information

Health Care Cards
Many students will be eligible for a Health Care Card as a low income earner or because they are in receipt of an appropriate Centrelink benefit or allowance. Refer to the Concessions section for more information. This is a valuable card to have to save money on a range of services. Application forms can be obtained from a Centrelink Office or from Student Services on campus.

Newstart Allowance (NSA)
Basic conditions of eligibility:

Must be unemployed, capable of undertaking, available for and actively seeking work or temporarily incapacitated for work.

Aged 21 or more but under Age Pension age and registered as unemployed.

Where you have been in receipt of NSA /SA continuously since17 June 1997 and you are 20 or under, you will remain on NSA.

May do training and voluntary work with approval.

Willing to enter into an activity agreement if required, allowing participation in a broad range of activities.

NSA recipients incapacitated for work remain on NSA, subject to medical certificates.

Rent Assistance may apply.

Personal Income and Asset tests apply