Centrelink

Centrelink operates under the Commonwealth Services Delivery Agency Act 1997.

There have been numerous complaints about the quality of Centrelink services, and scandals surrounding fraud and abuse of the welfare payment system, competency of staff, and quality of governmental employment conditions.

Centrelink Payments

Most are payable on a fortnightly basis, although some small allowances (e.g. Telephone Allowance) are paid on a quarterly or other basis. In addition, lump sum crisis payments are payable in certain situations, such as release from prison, discharge from a psychiatric institution, or having to leave home due to domestic violence.

Family Tax Benefit Parts A and B are administered by the Family Assistance Office within Centrelink. It is payable to low income earners either as a payment or through a tax reduction. The FAO also administers the "baby bonus".

Old Age Pension

To be added.

Unemployment Benefits

Under the coalition policy of mutual obligation the body has undergone a series a major reforms, placing greater restrictions and conditions for recipients. Penalties increased for breaches, a strict job search diary was introduced and the Work for the Dole program began. Other benefits such as sickness and disability payments were affected with similar economic rationing.

For recipients of unemployment benefits, called Newstart Allowance, the service provision and conditions are constantly altered. The so-called "Employment Sector" continues to be generously subsidised. Most of the changes are related to the outsourcing of job search services to private job network providers for direct assistance. This network of providers covers the country and is designed to provide unemployed people with numerous benefits such a training workshops, photocopying, internet access, printers, fares assistance and reimbursements for uniform or clothing that many be required on the job.

Centrelink provides many services for the unemployed at Job Search including job listings, resume building and other information distribution to clients.

Youth Allowance

Youth Allowance is a alternative to Newstart tailored specifically to young Australians in their final years of school, an apprenticeship, at tertiary education or at least actively looking for employment. It is designed for independent youths, or dependents of low-income earners. Youth is defined as aged between 16–24 for students, and 16–20 for job seekers (bottom level is increased to 15 for independents). Unemployed youths that are not independent job seekers or undergoing some form of education do not normally receive Youth Alowance unless there are extenuating circumstances.

Youth Allowance was introduced in 2000 and replaced unemployment and study benefits for those under 25.

Austudy

Austudy was originally the general study allowance payment made by the governmnet, but since the introduction of Youth Allowance (see above) it has been reserved for study allowance payments to over 25s. To qualify one must be an Australian resident, over 25, and studying full time at an approved education institution. To complicate things, syudents who were receiving Youth Allowance prior to turning 25, still pursuing the same course of study continue to receive Youth Allowance until they finish (or otherwise terminate) their course, not Austudy. Like most Centrelink payments, Austudy is subject to an income test.

Abstudy

Abstudy is a welfare payment for Indigenous Australians undergoing some form of study. All Indigenous students at secondary or tertairy institutions, as well as those studying by correspondence, and primary students who turned 14 prior to January 1 of their current year of study. To qualify as Indigenous, a student must be of Aborignal or Torres Strait Islander descent by Centrelink standards and be a current Australian citizen. Abstudy is tailored according to income tests, and the status of partners, guardians, and dependents.

Disability Support Pension

Provides income support for people who suffer a long-term disability, which in the opinion of a medical professional they will not recover from in the next two years, and which will render themselves unable to support themselves. It is more than you get on Newstart, and is income and assets-tested. However, if you are permanently blind, you can receive DSP without income and assets tests, and without needing to prove any inability to work, etc. DSP can take a while to process, so as a temporary measure claimants are placed on another payment (e.g. Newstart with a medical certificate to cover the activity tests) while the payment is being assets; once granted it is backdated to the claim date at the higher DSP rate.

Rental Assistance

Sickness Allowance

Pharmaceutical Allowance

Telephone Allowance

Pensioner Education Supplement

Concession Cards