Centrelink is the federal government program that deals with all welfare payments. All Centrelink payments are means-tested and have residency requirements. Our general advice regarding payments is: if you think you might be eligible but are not sure, apply anyway. If your application is rejected, you have the right to appeal. 

Austudy and Youth Allowance for students

Youth Allowance is the study payment for students aged 16–24. If you are aged 25 years or older, you should apply for Austudy.  

Is your degree eligible for Austudy or Youth Allowance for students​?

To be eligible for a payment, most postgraduate students will need to be enrolled full time in an approved degree.  

Graduate certificates and graduate diplomas

All graduate certificates and graduate diplomas are approved for Centrelink payments. 

Master’s degrees by coursework

Only a few master’s degrees by coursework are approved for Centrelink payments. Find out if your degree is approved for Austudy payments (scroll to section 56 for University of Sydney degrees). 

Research degrees

Unfortunately, research degrees (e.g. Master of Philosophy and PhD) are not approved courses for Centrelink payments. If you’re a part-time HDR student, you may be eligible for a JobSeeker payment. 

ABSTUDY

ABSTUDY provides a range of payments for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students in approved degrees. Find out if you’re eligible for ABSTUDY. 

Unlike Austudy and Youth Allowance, you may be eligible for ABSTUDY if you are studying a master’s degree by research or doctorate and not receiving any other financial support. 

Rent Assistance

If you receive Austudy, Youth Allowance or ABSTUDY and also pay rent, you may be entitled to Rent Assistance. If you receive a Centrelink payment, you will be automatically assessed for Rent Assistance.  

Health Care Card

A Health Care Card (HCC) enables you to access free or low-cost dental care, discounted prescription medications, and concessions on energy bills and water rates. If you receive Austudy, Youth Allowance or ABSTUDY, you will be automatically issued with a Health Care Card.  

Low Income Health Care Card

Even if you don’t receive a Centrelink payment, you can apply for a Low Income Health Care Card if your income is under the government’s income test limit.

Part-time students and JobSeeker

If you are enrolled as a part-time student, you are usually not eligible for student payments from Centrelink. You may be able to receive other payments, such as the Disability Support Pension (see below) or JobSeeker.  

If you are at least 22 years of age, unemployed, and studying part time, you may be eligible for a JobSeeker payment. However, to receive this payment, you will be expected to participate in activities designed to increase your chances of finding work (mutual obligation).

There may be circumstances in which some part-time or full-time study can be included in an activity agreement, such as if Centrelink accepts that your studies will help you find work.  

Disability Support Pension

Students who have disabilities may be eligible for the Disability Support Pension (DSP). The DSP is increasingly difficult to obtain, and applicants are required to meet medical as well as non-medical requirements. Find out more about the Disability Support Pension.

If you are finding the application process challenging, we recommend you speak with a Centrelink social worker by calling 132 850 (8am – 5pm). 

Parenting payments

If you are the principal carer of a child under 14 years of age (if you are single) or 6 years of age (if you are partnered), you may be eligible for a parenting payment. Find out more about parenting payments. 

Crisis payments

Centrelink may be able to assist with a one-off special payment if you are experiencing financial difficulties due to:  

• homelessness, or having to move home due to extreme circumstances 
• family or domestic violence 
• arrival in Australia as a humanitarian entrant for the first time 
• recent release from prison or psychiatric confinement
• natural disaster events such as floods, fires and storms.

You can apply for a crisis payment online.  

Advance payments

If you already receive a Centrelink payment, you may be able to get an advance payment depending on the situation. An advance is like a loan from Centrelink. You can apply for an advance payment online. You will then create a payment plan to pay back the advance from 13 future Centrelink payments.

If you are receiving Austudy, ABSTUDY, or Youth Allowance for students, you can apply for an advance at any time. If you are receiving DSP, JobSeeker or a parenting payment, you can apply for an advance after 3 months of receiving the payment.

For ABSTUDY, Austudy, JobSeeker, parenting payment and Youth Allowance recipients, you can obtain an advance once in a 12-month period. For DSP recipients, you can obtain an advance once in a 6-month period.

Reviews and appeals

You have the right to appeal decisions made by Centrelink. You can call and ask them to review a decision or lodge an online request for review. You should request a review within 13 weeks of Centrelink’s decision.

Find out more about Centrelink reviews and appeals, including how to submit an Explanation or formal review of decision form.  

More information and assistance

SUPRA

If you need help with a Centrelink matter, contact us for advice. 

The Welfare Rights Centre

The Welfare Rights Centre (WRC) provides free legal telephone advice on how to resolve issues with Centrelink. In certain matters, you may be able to make an appointment with a solicitor or caseworker to discuss your issues.

The WRC website also has useful information on your rights, as well as fact sheets on how to deal with a range of Centrelink issues. 

The Australian Unemployed Workers’ Union

The Australian Unemployed Workers’ Union (AUWU) is a registered charity and independent volunteer organisation run by the unemployed, for the unemployed. The objective of the AUWU is to protect the rights and dignity of unemployed people and to alleviate poverty and disadvantage. The AUWU’s website has useful information, including the details of their National Advocacy Hotline. 

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Written by SUPRA Postgraduate Advocacy Service September 2025