Assert your Position with Emphasis: Maintain , , , Tag Formulation

Begin by selecting whether you have previously received a payment or concession card from Centrelink, or choose the "Unsure" option if you are unsure.

If you answer in the affirmative, you will have to provide your Customer Reference Number (CRN), which is a unique identification number issued by Centrelink. You can still answer "Yes" even if you don't have access to your CRN.

To prove your identity when claiming a pension, benefit, allowance, or service from Centrelink, you must submit original documents (not photocopies) from Centrelink's approved list. These same documents can also be used to verify your age, residency, income, and assets.

It's essential that you provide your legal name in full when claiming any pension, benefit, allowance, or service from Centrelink, including both your family name and first name. If you only have one legal name, please note that you won't be able to continue your claim online without filling both fields. Instead, you must download the claim form and information from the website, complete the forms, and return them to a service center either in person, by mail, or by nominating someone to return them on your behalf.

When filling out your legal name, please note that this is the name found on any of your official documents and legal papers. Additionally, please make sure to include your title and family name. If you don't have a family name, please refer to the Important Information section on the website.

When filling out your family and first name fields, you can enter blanks, hyphens, and apostrophes but not consecutively or as the first character. For example, Oshea is unacceptable, but O'Shea is fine.

If you have no first name to input, please refer to the Important Information page.

You may use blanks, hyphens, and apostrophes in this field, but they cannot be entered consecutively, nor can they be the first characters entered. For instance, 'Oshea would be invalid, but O'Shea is acceptable.

Middle Name Field:

This optional field enables you to enter your middle name, if applicable. For example, if your name is Katie Jane Citizen, you'll type Jane in this field.

Again, just as in the first name field, the use of blanks, hyphens, and apostrophes is allowed, but not in consecutive order, and not as the first letter entered.

Suffix Field:

The suffix field provides extra information about yourself, including your title, educational degree, and job position. Examples might include (but not limited to) an academic suffix such as PH.D, M.B.A, or a professional suffix like CPA, JP. Generational suffixes like Junior or Senior may also be used.

Date of Birth

This field asks for your birthdate and should be entered as dd/mm/yyyy, or day, month, year.

Gender

Please select your gender in this field and choose either Female or Male.

Other Names

If you have ever had any other names, please select 'Yes'. This may include but is not limited to your maiden name, former married names, preferred or nickname, clan/tribal name, or name at birth.

Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander

Please indicate if you are of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander origin, as it will help us improve our services for these groups of people. This question will not affect your payment in any way.

If you are an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander and studying full-time or part-time, you may claim ABSTUDY instead of Youth Allowance or Austudy.

However, if you'd rather continue claiming Youth Allowance or Austudy, please click on the 'Save' or 'Save and Continue' button.

If you're interested in applying for ABSTUDY, you can call Centrelink at 13 2317 to request an ABSTUDY claim form, or visit any service centre to pick one up.

Individuals of Aboriginal ancestry who self-identify as such and are recognized as members of the community where they reside are considered Aboriginal.

Torres Strait Islanders are individuals of Torres Strait Islander heritage who identify as such and are accepted by their community.

Australian South Sea Islanders

Australian South Sea Islanders are the descendants of South Sea Islanders who originally settled in Australia in the late 1800s. These individuals identify as Australian South Sea Islanders and are accepted as such by their community.

Please note that the above information is provided as an optional resource and was last updated in March 2010.