Access levels for Centrelink Online Services
Your access level determines which online services you can use. Access levels range from one to four and each service has an assigned level according to the detail it contains. The more sensitive the detail, the higher the level of access required.
| Level | Access description |
|---|---|
| Level 1 | This level provides access to a limited range of Online Services options that do not display any details from your Centrelink record. Level 1 provides access to options such as making an online claim for first-time Centrelink customers. |
| Level 2 | This level provides access to Online Services options that display low-sensitivity details from your Centrelink record. Options available to users with this access level include the report employment income and request a document services. |
| Level 3 | This level provides access to Online Services options that display moderately sensitive details from your Centrelink record. Most Online Services options are available to users with this access level. |
| Level 4 | This level is intended to provide access to future Online Services options that display highly sensitive details from your Centrelink record. All Online Services options are available to users with this access level. |
How the access level is determined
When you register for Online Services, your access level will be determined by the number of questions you answer correctly. These questions confirm proof of identity information that you have previously provided to us for your Centrelink record. The more questions you answer, the higher your access level will be. If you are not a current customer the highest access level you can achieve is Level 1.
If you cannot register online to the required access level you need, you can register at a lower level and upgrade at a later date.
Upgrading your access level
To upgrade your access level you will need to follow the below steps:
- log on to Centrelink Online Services
- once you are logged in, select the Upgrade Your Access Level option, located under Self Service Access, on the left hand side menu
- answer questions about yourself and your Centrelink record to help us verify your identify
If your upgrade is successful, your new access level will be displayed online.
If you have answered all the available questions and have not reached the required access level to complete your business, you need to visit a Centrelink Customer Service Centre to add new proof of identity documents to your Centrelink record.
How to see your access level
To see your access level you will need to:
- select 'view all Online Services' on the left hand side menu once you are logged on to Online Services
- observe your access level on the top of the page and a list of all the services you can use at this access level.
Detailed access level information
Report employment income
| Report employment income | Description | Minimum Required Access Level |
|---|---|---|
| Report | If you are eligible to report online, you can report your employment income for a specified reporting period. You can see the effect on your payment. | 2 |
| View reporting dates | View your employment income reporting dates. | 2 |
| View employment income | View the details of your reported income. | 2 |
| View Income Bank balance | View your current, past or future Income Bank balance. | 2 |
| View Working Credit balance | View your current, past or future Working Credit balance. | 2 |
Apply for a payment
| Apply for a payment | Description | Minimum Required Access Level |
|---|---|---|
| Make a claim | Make an online claim for a payment or service. | 1 |
| Transfer to Age Pension | Make an online transfer to Age Pension | 2 |
| View/update your online claims | View or update your online claims | 1 |
| Apply for Digital TV Switchover - Household Assistance Program | This service allows you to test your eligibility, and apply, for the Digital TV Switchover - Household Assistance Program. | 3 |
| Apply for an Essential Medical Equipment Payment (EMEP) - Household Assistance Package | The Essential Medical Equipment Payment (EMEP) is an annual payment to assist customers with the additional energy costs of using essential medical equipment in their home. | 1 |
| Apply for a Low Income Supplement (LIS) - Household Assistance Package | Apply for a Low Income Supplement (LIS) - Household Assistance Package | 1 |
Personal details
| Personal details | Description | Minimum Required Access Level |
|---|---|---|
| View appointments | View details of past and future appointments with Centrelink | 2 |
| View/update your details | View and update your address, accommodation, email and telephone details. | 3 |
| Rent assistance reviews | This service allows you to complete your Rent Assistance Reviews | 3 |
Carers
| Carers | Description | Minimum Required Access Level |
|---|---|---|
| View/update absence from care | Allows you to edit an existing absence, add a new absence and view available balances for respite and hospital for this calendar year. | 3 |
Family Assistance
| Family Assistance | Description | Minimum Required Access Level |
|---|---|---|
| Update Family Income Estimate | Update your Income Estimate if you get Family Tax Benefit Part A, Family Tax Benefit Part B or Child Care Benefit. | 2 |
|
Advise Return to Work |
This service allows parents to inform Centrelink and the Family Assistance Office if they have returned to work after a period out of the workforce caring for a child. |
2 |
|
View Family Income History |
View your previous Family Income Estimates, as well as your Actual Income amounts for previous years. |
2 |
|
Family Tax Benefit Child Reviews |
Family Tax Benefit reviews for children turning 16 or 21 can be completed using this service. |
2 |
|
Advise Non-lodgement of Tax Return |
This service enables you to advise Centrelink and the Family Assistance Office that you don't need to lodge a tax return with the Australian Taxation Office for one of the last 3 financial years. |
2 |
|
Update Healthy Start Review |
This service allows you to complete your Healthy Start for School Review. |
3 |
|
Combined Rate Estimator |
Estimate combinations of Centrelink payments, Family Assistance and/or Child Support, based on your current or proposed circumstances. |
1 |
Paid Parental Leave
| Paid Parental Leave | Description | Minimum Required Access Level |
|---|---|---|
|
Paid Parental Leave circumstances |
Advise the Family Assistance Office of changes in your circumstances that are relevant to your Paid Parental Leave entitlement. |
3 |
Child care
| Child care | Description | Minimum Required Access Level |
|---|---|---|
|
View Child Care Details and Payments |
View child care details and payments for any dependent children in your care. Includes details of child care attendance, absences from care, annual Child Care Benefit entitlement, quarterly and annual Child Care Rebate entitlements. |
3 |
|
Update Child Care Rebate Payment Frequency |
For Child Care Benefit reduced fee customers, Child Care Rebate can be paid as a quarterly or annual payment. This service allows you to change how you are paid this payment. |
3 |
|
Claim Approved Child Care Benefit |
Use this service to Claim Approved Child Care Benefit for any children that are in Approved Child Care. |
2 |
|
Update Work/Training/Study |
This service allows you to update your Work/Training/Study situation so that we can assess your eligible hours for approved Child Care Benefit. Meeting the Work/Training/Study test is also one of the requirements for the Child Care Rebate. |
2 |
|
Update Child Schooling Details |
If your child has started or left school you can update this information using this service to ensure you are being paid the correct rate of Approved Child Care Benefit. |
2 |
Payment details
| Payment details | Description | Minimum Required Access Level |
|---|---|---|
|
View Payment History |
View details of your past and future payments. |
2 |
|
View/update payment destination |
View or update details of where your payments are sent. |
3 |
|
Combined Rate Estimator |
Estimate combinations of Centrelink payments, Family Assistance and/or Child Support, based on your current or proposed circumstances. |
1 |
|
Request payment summary |
Access Level 2: Ask us to post Reporting and Income Statements, Payment Summaries, Rent Certificates, Application for Payment forms, or replacement Concession Cards. Access Level 3: You can view and print your Income Statements, Rent Certificates or Application for Payment forms online via PDF. |
2 |
Income Management/BasicsCard
| Income Management/BasicsCard | Description | Minimum Required Access Level |
|---|---|---|
|
Income Management account details |
This service allows you to view your Income Management Account (Kitty) balance and recent transactions. |
2 |
|
BasicsCard Account Details |
This service allows you to view your BasicsCard balance and recent transactions. |
2 |
|
Transfer funds to BasicsCard |
This service allows you to transfer available funds from your Income Management account to your Basics Card. |
3 |
|
Expense allocations |
This service allows you to view your Income Management expense allocations as well as your regular deductions to organisations from your Centrelink payments. |
2 |
Deductions
| Deductions | Description | Minimum Required Access Level |
|---|---|---|
|
View/add/change Deductions |
This service allows you to view your deductions you make to organisations from your Centrelink payments. You can also add a deduction or make changes in an existing deduction. |
2 |
Advance payments
| Advance payments | Description | Minimum Required Access Level |
|---|---|---|
|
View/apply/manage advance payments |
This service allows you to view the results of all the applications you have made in the past two years for an advance of your Family Tax Benefit or Income Support payments. You can also apply for an Advance of your Family Tax Benefit or Income Support advance payment, or cease your continuous Family Tax Benefit Advance Payments. |
2 |
Money you owe
| Money you owe | Description | Minimum Required Access Level |
|---|---|---|
|
Manage the money you owe |
This service allows you to view details of the money you currently owe to Centrelink and the Family Assistance Office. You can also link to the Australia POSTbillpay site to make a repayment for the money you owe or view details on how to make a repayment using BPAY. |
2 |
Study details
| Study details | Description | Minimum Required Access Level |
|---|---|---|
|
View/update study details |
Allows you to view and update course details for Youth Allowance or Austudy. Use as an alternative to completing the Course details required for Youth Allowance or Austudy form. |
2 |
Seniors
| Seniors | Description | Minimum Required Access Level |
|---|---|---|
|
View work bonus balance |
View your current and historic Work Bonus balances. |
2 |
Income and assets
| Income and assets | Description | Minimum Required Access Level |
|---|---|---|
|
View Income and Assets |
View details of your and / or your partner's current income and asset details. |
3 |
| Advise parental income | Advise Centrelink of your income following a request from Centrelink, as a part of your child's claim for, or reassessment of Youth Allowance or ABSTUDY. |
1 |
Cards and statements
| Cards and statements | Description | Minimum Required Access Level |
|---|---|---|
| Request a document | Access Level 2: Ask us to post Reporting and Income Statements, Income Management Statements, Payment Summaries, Rent Certificates, Application for Payment forms, Centrelink Statements, or replacement concession cards. Access Level 3: You can view and print your Reporting and Income Statements, Income Management Statements, Payment Summaries, Rent Certificates, Centrelink Statements or Application for Payment forms online via PDF |
2 |
Reminders and letters
| Reminders and letters | Description | Minimum Required Access Level |
|---|---|---|
| View online letters | You can use this service to receive most of your Centrelink letters online instead of them being mailed to you. Once subscribed for the service, you will be notified via SMS or email on the receipt of a letter online. |
3 |
| Reminders and letters subscriptions | This service allows you to subscribe or change your subscription to Electronic Reminders and Online letters. |
3 |