Clear guides to every part of Centrelink
Step-by-step help, explainers and checklists — each one checked against the official source and dated.
Start here: guided paths
Short sets of guides to read in order, for the most common situations.
New to Centrelink
4 guides- What Centrelink is and how it works
- Find the right payment for you
- Set up myGov and link Centrelink
- Make your first claim
Just lost your job
5 guides- Your rights as an employee
- Claiming JobSeeker Payment
- Mutual obligation explained
- Reporting your income correctly
- What to do if you get a debt
Approaching retirement
5 guides- Age Pension age and residence rules
- The income and assets tests explained
- How deeming works on investments
- Concession cards you may be entitled to
- How to claim the Age Pension
Browse all guides
Showing 19 guides
- Explainer
How the income test works, with examples
Learn how Centrelink calculates the effect of your income on your payment.
- Step by step
Linking Centrelink to your myGov account
- Explainer
Deeming rates: what changed in September
Understand how Centrelink estimates income from your financial assets.
- Your rights
Asking for a review of a Centrelink decision
- Money
Paying back a Centrelink debt
- Glossary
Centrelink words in plain English
120 terms · Updated weekly
- Step by step
How to report your income each fortnight
When income counts, how to report it correctly, and common mistakes.
- Step by step
Claiming JobSeeker Payment
- Explainer
Mutual obligation requirements explained
- Checklist
Documents to gather before you claim
A printable checklist before you start your claim in myGov.
- Explainer
Age Pension: the income and assets tests
- Explainer
Family Tax Benefit Part A and Part B
- Explainer
Commonwealth Rent Assistance: do you qualify?
- Your rights
You've been told you have a debt: what now?
- Explainer
Carer Payment and Carer Allowance compared
- Step by step
Claiming the Disability Support Pension
- Explainer
Youth Allowance for students and apprentices
- Explainer
Deeming rates and your savings
- Checklist
Moving house or changing rent: what to update
What changed recently
Guides we updated after official changes.
New payment rates
Pension, JobSeeker, Parenting Payment and Rent Assistance guides updated with the indexed rates.
Deeming rates rose
New 1.75% and 3.75%. Our deeming and Age Pension guides show the new worked examples.
Family and asset thresholds
Family Tax Benefit, Child Care Subsidy and assets test limits refreshed for the new financial year.
Can't find the guide you need?
Tell us what you're trying to work out. The most-requested topics are written first.
Frequently asked questions about Centrelink guides
What is the difference between a payment and a supplement?
A payment (like JobSeeker or Age Pension) is the main income-support amount. A supplement (like Rent Assistance or Energy Supplement) is an additional amount added on top if you meet extra conditions.
The Social Security Guide (DSS) lists every supplement and who can receive it. Our glossary explains the key terms.
How do I find out which guides have been recently updated?
Every guide shows the date it was last checked at the top. You can sort the guides list by "Recently checked" to see the most recently verified guides first.
For rule changes and rate updates, visit our News & changes page, which lists every recent change with the official source named.
Are the guides available in Easy Read format?
Selected guides are available in Easy Read — plain language with visual support. Use the Easy Read toggle in the guides filter to find them.
Services Australia also publishes Easy Read fact sheets directly on their website.