1: JobSeeker Payment – guide to claim
We’ll guide you through the claim process.
This guide will ask you a question and based on your answer show you another question or result.
Before you start, check if you’re eligible for JobSeeker Payment.
2: Do you have a JobSeeker Payment claim in progress?
3: You can track your claim for JobSeeker Payment
You may need to supply supporting documents to progress your claim. We’ll tell you if you need to and you can submit them online.
If you submit them online, you’ll get a receipt to confirm we’ve got them. You don’t need to call to let us know.
We make every effort to process your claim as soon as possible. Sometimes claims will take longer if there are complex circumstances or we are waiting for requested documents.
You don’t need to call to check the status of your claim. You can track the progress of your claim online if your Centrelink online account is linked to myGov.
You can also use the Express Plus Centrelink mobile app.
We’ll let you know the result of your claim. We’ll send a message to your myGov Inbox
If you don’t get electronic letters, we’ll send you a letter in the mail.
You may have a waiting period or need to complete certain tasks before you can get your first payment.
If you think we’ve made a mistake you can ask us to review our decision.
We can help if you’re in financial hardship or need special assistance while we process your claim.
4: Are you claiming JobSeeker Payment for yourself?
5: Do you have a Nominee arrangement in place?
To claim on someone else’s behalf you must be authorised.
The person you're claiming for must nominate you to be their Centrelink Correspondence Nominee.
6: Adding a Nominee arrangement
You need to have an arrangement in place to claim on someone else’s behalf.
The person you're claiming for will need to start the process. Read about how to add a Nominee arrangement using your online account.
8: You can claim over the phone
If you can’t claim online, call us on the Centrelink Employment Services line.
You don’t need to go to a service centre to make a claim. If you're feeling unwell, or need to isolate yourself at home, please don't visit our service centres.
9: Do you have a myGov account?
10: Do you have a Centrelink Customer Reference Number (CRN)?
If you don’t have one or can’t remember your Centrelink Customer Reference Number (CRN), select No.
11: Create a myGov account and link Centrelink to claim
To claim a payment you need a myGov account linked to Centrelink. If you don’t have a myGov account, it’s easy to create one.
Follow these steps.
- Go to myGov and select Create an account.
- Read the Terms of use. If you agree to the terms, select I agree.
- Enter your email address, then confirm this address using a code we email to you. Your myGov account must use a unique email address. You can’t use the same email for another myGov account.
- Enter your mobile number, if you have one. If you enter a number you’ll get a code sent to it each time you sign in to your myGov account.
- Create a password and 3 secret questions and enter answers.
- You’ve created your myGov account, select Continue to myGov.
To link Centrelink you’ll need your Centrelink Customer Reference Number (CRN).
12: Link Centrelink with your CRN and make your claim
To claim a payment you need Centrelink linked to your myGov account. If you have a CRN you can link Centrelink to your myGov account.
Follow these steps to link to Centrelink and make a claim.
- In myGov, select View and link services.
- Under Link a service find Centrelink and select Link.
- Select I have a CRN and follow the prompts to link Centrelink to your myGov account.
- Select Centrelink from your linked services.
- Select Make a claim or view claim status, then Make a claim.
- Under Job Seekers select Get Started.
- Select Apply for JobSeeker Payment then follow the prompts to complete your claim.
13: Create a myGov account and prove who you are to link to Centrelink
To claim a payment you need a Centrelink online account linked to myGov. If you don’t have a myGov account, it’s easy to create one.
Follow these steps.
- Go to myGov and select Create an account.
- Read the Terms of use. If you agree to the terms, select I agree.
- Enter your email address, then confirm this address using a code we email to you. Your myGov account must use a unique email address. You can’t use the same email for another myGov account.
- Enter your mobile number, if you have one. If you enter a number you’ll get a code sent to it each time you sign in to your myGov account.
- Create a password and 3 secret questions and enter answers.
- You’ve created your myGov account, select Continue to myGov.
After you prove who you are through myGov by entering some details about you, you’ll get a CRN. We’ll check if you already have a CRN or create one and link Centrelink to your myGov account.
14: Prove who you are to link Centrelink
- In myGov, select Continue from the Government support for Coronavirus alert.
- Select I need a CRN.
- Follow the prompts to enter your identity details.
- Enter information from your Medicare card.
- Enter some personal details and we’ll check them against our records.
- We’ll link Centrelink to your myGov account and you’ll then have a Centrelink online account.
- You’ll need identity details from one of these documents:
- current Australian passport
- Australian birth certificate
- Australian citizenship certificate
- Australian visa.
You’ll also need identity details from one of these documents:
- Australian driver licence
- ImmiCard issued by the Department of Home Affairs
- Australian Citizenship by Descent Certificate.
You can now start your claim for a payment. Before you can submit your claim, you’ll need to visit a service centre to complete our identity requirements. You’ll need to give us an acceptable photo identity document as well as any other documents we may ask for.
If you can’t prove who you are online to get a CRN, call us on the Centrelink Employment Services Line.
15: How to claim after you create your myGov account and link to Centrelink
Once your Centrelink online account is linked to myGov, you can apply online.
To do this:
- Sign in to myGov.
- Select Make a claim or view claim status, then Make a claim.
- Under Job Seekers select Get started.
- Select Apply for JobSeeker Payment and follow the prompts to complete your claim.
We’ll tell you if you need to do anything else to complete your claim. We may ask you submit supporting documents to submit your claim.
16: Is your myGov account linked to Centrelink?
You need to link your myGov account to Centrelink to make your claim.
17: Do you have a Centrelink Customer Reference Number (CRN)?
If you don’t have one or can’t remember your Centrelink Customer Reference Number (CRN), select No.
18: Sign in to myGov and prove who you are to link Centrelink
To claim a payment online, you’ll need to do both the following:
- link your Centrelink online account to myGov
- prove your identity to Centrelink.
You can do both of these with a strong Digital Identity.
myID is currently the only Digital Identity provider that provides the strong level Digital Identity required for Centrelink.
Download and use the myID app to get a strong level Digital Identity. You’ll need to enter your personal details, details from your identity documents and verify your photo.
Find out how to set up the myID app on the myID website.
Once you have a strong level Digital Identity, follow these steps to link Centrelink and prove your identity.
Follow these steps:
- Sign in to myGov.
- Select View and link services, then select Centrelink.
- Give your consent to share your details with Centrelink.
- Select No to Do you have or know your CRN?
- Select Get started in the Digital Identity (Recommended) box.
- Connect your Digital Identity to myGov.
- Enter other details about you.
If you can’t prove your identity online, call us on the Centrelink Employment Services line.
19: How to claim after linking Centrelink to your myGov
Once your Centrelink online account is linked to myGov, you can apply online.
To do this:
- Sign in to myGov.
- Select Make a claim or view claim status, then Make a claim.
- Under Job Seekers select Get started.
- Select Apply for JobSeeker Payment then follow the prompts to complete your claim.
We’ll tell you if you need to do anything else to complete your claim. We may ask you submit supporting documents to submit your claim.
20: Sign in to myGov and make a claim in Centrelink
If your Centrelink online account is linked to myGov, you can apply online.
To do this:
- Sign in to myGov.
- Select Make a claim or view claim status, then Make a claim.
- Under Job Seekers select Get started.
- Select Apply for JobSeeker Payment and follow the prompts to complete your claim.
If you wish to claim early, you can complete these steps up to 13 weeks before your circumstances change. You can then submit your claim 14 days before your circumstances change. We’ll contact you to remind you to do this.
You may need to supply supporting documents to progress your claim. We’ll tell you if you need to and you can submit them online.
If you submit them online, you’ll get a receipt to confirm we’ve got them. You don’t need to call to let us know.
We make every effort to process your claim as soon as possible. Sometimes claims will take longer if there are complex circumstances or we are waiting for requested documents.
You don’t need to call to check the status of your claim. You can track the progress of your claim online if your Centrelink online account is linked to myGov.
21: Sign in to myGov and link to Centrelink with your CRN to claim
To claim a payment you need a Centrelink online account linked to myGov. When you have a CRN we can create a Centrelink online account for you and link it to your myGov.
Follow these steps:
- Sign in to myGov.
- Select View and link services, then select Centrelink.
- Select I have a CRN and follow the prompts to link Centrelink to your myGov account.
- Select Centrelink from your linked services.
- Select Make a claim or view claim status, then Make a claim.
- Under Job Seekers select Get started.
- Select Apply for JobSeeker Payment and follow the prompts to complete your claim.
We’ll tell you if you need to do anything else to complete your claim. We may ask you for supporting documents to submit your claim.
22: After you claim by phone
We’ll contact you if we need more details.
We’ll send you a letter to let you know your claim outcome. If your claim is successful, we’ll let you know:
- when you’ll get your first payment
- how much you’ll get.
If your Centrelink online account is linked to myGov, sign in now to track your claim online.
You can also use the Express Plus Centrelink mobile app.
If you don’t agree with our decision call us on the Centrelink Employment Services line. If you still don’t agree, you can ask us to review our decision.
23: After you claim online
After you submit your claim online, you’ll get a receipt telling you:
- the ID number of your claim
- the date we estimate your claim will be complete.
If your Centrelink online account is linked to myGov, sign in now to track your claim online.
You can also use the Express Plus Centrelink mobile app.
We’ll let you know the result of your claim. We’ll send a message to your myGov Inbox.
If you don’t get electronic letters, we’ll send you a letter in the mail.
You may have a waiting period or need to complete certain tasks before you can get your first payment.
If you think we’ve made a mistake you can ask us to review our decision.
We can help if you’re in financial hardship or need special assistance while we process your claim.