Mobility Allowance
Before you claim
Before you claim, you should read the Information you need to know about your claim for Mobility Allowance factsheet.
Eligibility basics
- aged 16 or more
- cannot use public transport without substantial assistance because of a disability, illness, or injury
- need to travel to and from your home to look for work, do paid or voluntary work, or participate in study or training
Eligibility & payment rates
Eligibility for Mobility Allowance
You may be eligible for Mobility Allowance
Payment rates for Mobility Allowance
Mobility Allowance payment rates are reviewed annually and updated on 1 January each year. Mobility Allowance payments are not taxed.
| Type of rate | Payment rate per fortnight |
|---|---|
| Standard rate | $87.00 |
| Higher rate | $121.80 |
Income and assets tests for Mobility Allowance
You do not have to meet income or assets tests to qualify for Mobility Allowance.
Residency requirements for Mobility Allowance
To meet residency requirements you must be an Australian resident and in Australia on the day that you lodge your claim.
To be an Australian resident, you must be living in Australia as:
- an Australian citizen
- the holder of a permanent resident visa, or
- the holder of a special category visa–that is, someone with a New Zealand passport living in Australia, or
- a New Zealand citizen who was in Australia on 26 February 2001, or for 12 months in the two years immediately before that date, or who was assessed before 26 February 2004 as 'protected'
Newly arrived residents generally have a two-year waiting period. Some exemptions apply for refugees, holders of certain other permanent visas, Australian citizens, and in some circumstances their partners and dependent children. For example, by being a refugee or the partner of an Australian citizen, or having had your disability occur in Australia.
If a payment is child related, the child must also meet the residency requirements.
Other benefits while receiving Mobility Allowance
If you qualify for Mobility Allowance, you may be entitled to other payments and services, such as:
You may be entitled to a Health Care Card while you are receiving Mobility Allowance.
Claiming
Once you have read about eligibility the next steps are:
- read the conditions for claiming
- register an intent to claim
- complete your forms
- provide the supporting documentation
- submit your claim
- we will assess your claim and let you know the outcome
Managing your payment
Change of circumstances while receiving Mobility Allowance
It is important that you tell us if your circumstances change. Keeping us up-to-date means we can accurately assess your circumstances. For example if:
- your personal circumstances change
- bank details
- you change your address or phone number
- you start or finish studying or working
- your work or study load changes
- you stop looking for work through your employment services provider
- you leave Australia
If you do not tell us about the changes within 14 days your payment may be affected. You may be overpaid benefits and you will probably have to pay the money back.
If you deliberately do not tell us about changes, you could be charged with fraud. A recovery fee may be imposed if you give us incorrect information about your employment income.
Advance payment options
You may be eligible to receive part of your Centrelink payment in advance. Accessing an advance payment depends on the type of payment you receive, how long you have been receiving it and the amount that you receive.
Payments paid while outside Australia
There are rules about getting your payment when you leave Australia.
Someone to deal with us on your behalf
You can authorise another person or organisation to deal with us on your behalf and receive your Centrelink payments under a correspondence or nominee arrangement.
Resources
Information you need to know about your claim for Mobility Allowance
Read the Information you need to know about your claim for Mobility Allowance booklet before you start your claim.