Claiming Youth Allowance
If you are a student or Australian Apprentice, claiming online is the easiest way to claim and ensures you will be paid from the earliest possible date.
Job seekers are unable to claim online. Please see unable to claim online below for instructions on how to claim Youth Allowance as a job seeker.
When you make a claim, we will ask you for information to assess if you are eligible. This may include your study details, income and assets and accommodation circumstances. If you have a partner, we will also ask you questions about their details and circumstances.
If you are studying or planning to study full-time, undertaking a full-time Australian Apprenticeship you can lodge your claim up to 13 weeks before you start your course or apprenticeship. We encourage you to lodge your claim as early as possible, so that it can be assessed and payment can start from the day you first become eligible.
Before you start
You will need to have your bank account and tax file numbers nearby as you will be required to enter these details as part of your claim.
If you wish to claim Youth Allowance as an independent on the basis of being 22 years of age or over, you will need to commence your online claim when you turn 22 and not earlier. If you lodge your claim before you turn 22 we will assess you as a dependent person (unless you can demonstrate that you meet another independence criterion).
Begin a claim
Online
Our online services are a secure, convenient and easy way to start a claim for Youth Allowance. Once you have completed your claim online, bring the supporting documents requested on the claim form to a service centre within 14 days.
If you already have a Centrelink Online Services account
You can log on to Centrelink Online Services using your Customer Reference Number (CAN) and password. Select 'Apply for a Payment' then 'Make a Claim' from the menu to start your claim.
If you do not have a Centrelink Online Services account
If you have a Customer Reference Number (CRN) then you can complete your registration now.
If you do not have a CRN you will receive a Customer Access Number (CAN) to get your started.
Unable to claim online
If there are reasons you cannot claim online, for example you do not have internet access, or you are a Jobseeker, you can call us on 132 490 to start your claim.
If you are not claiming online, you need to register an intent to claim for Youth Allowance so we can pay you from the earliest possible date.
Submit your claim
Online claims are submitted electronically at the end of the process. If you are not claiming online, claim forms need to be sent to us or presented to a service centre.
Provide supporting forms and documentation
When you are completing your claim you will be told as you go if any additional documents or forms are required with your claim. We will tell you at the end of the process if you need to provide any supporting documents such as proof of identity.
After we receive your claim we will contact you if we need any further information. We are unable to finalise your claim until we receive all of your supporting documentation.
Claim outcome
We will inform you whether your claim is successful.
You always have the right to appeal any decision we make. Read more about reviews and appeals.