Updated April 2026 14 min read

How to Apply for Centrelink as a New Migrant (Step-by-Step Guide)

Applying for Centrelink as a new migrant in Australia can feel overwhelming. Between setting up myGov, understanding which payments you qualify for, and navigating waiting periods, there's a lot to get right. This step-by-step guide walks you through the entire Centrelink application process so you know exactly what to do and in what order.

Who Can Apply for Centrelink?

Not everyone who arrives in Australia can access Centrelink payments. Your eligibility depends primarily on your visa type and how long you have been an Australian resident. Here is a breakdown of who can and cannot apply:

Eligible Visa Holders

• Permanent visa holders (subclasses 189, 190, 191, 143, 186, 801, 100, etc.) — eligible after serving the Newly Arrived Resident's Waiting Period (NARWP)
• Humanitarian and refugee visa holders (subclasses 200, 201, 202, 203, 204, 866) — eligible immediately with no waiting period
• New Zealand citizens on Special Category Visa (subclass 444) — may be eligible depending on arrival date and Protected SCV status
• Some temporary visa holders — limited eligibility for specific payments like Family Tax Benefit

Not Eligible

• Tourist visa holders (subclass 600)
• Student visa holders (subclass 500) — with very limited exceptions
• Working Holiday visa holders (subclasses 417, 462)
• Bridging visa holders — unless specific conditions apply

Step 1: Create a myGov Account

Before you can do anything with Centrelink, you need a myGov account. myGov is the Australian Government's online portal that connects you to multiple government services including Centrelink, Medicare, and the Australian Taxation Office (ATO).

How to Create Your myGov Account

1. Go to my.gov.au
2. Click "Create an account"
3. Enter your email address — use one you check regularly, as this becomes your primary communication channel with the government
4. Create a strong password (at least 7 characters, with upper and lowercase letters plus numbers)
5. Verify your email by entering the code sent to your inbox
6. Set up your security questions — you will need these if you ever forget your password
7. Set up multi-factor authentication (recommended — you can use SMS or the myGov Code Generator app)

Your myGov account itself does not give you access to Centrelink. It is just the gateway. You need to link Centrelink to your myGov account (covered in Step 4 below), which requires your Customer Reference Number (CRN) first.

Step 2: Gather Your Documents

Before visiting a Service Australia office or starting your online claim, gather all required documents. Missing even one document can delay your application by weeks.

Essential Documents

• Passport — your current, valid passport
• Visa grant letter — the letter from the Department of Home Affairs confirming your visa. This contains your visa grant date, which is critical for calculating your NARWP
• ImmiCard — if you have been issued one (common for humanitarian visa holders)
• Proof of Australian address — a rental agreement, utility bill, or bank statement showing your Australian address
• Bank account details — BSB and account number for an Australian bank account where payments will be deposited
• Tax File Number (TFN) — or proof that you have applied for one

Additional Documents You May Need

• Marriage certificate — if claiming partner-related payments
• Children's birth certificates — if claiming family payments
• Immunisation records — required for Family Tax Benefit and Child Care Subsidy
• Income evidence — payslips or employment contract if currently working
• Rental agreement — if applying for Rent Assistance
• Medical certificates — if claiming disability-related payments

Step 3: Get Your Customer Reference Number (CRN)

Your Customer Reference Number (CRN) is your unique Centrelink identification number. You need this before you can link Centrelink to myGov or lodge any claims. It is a 9-digit number followed by a letter (e.g., 123 456 789A).

How to Get Your CRN

The fastest way to get a CRN is to visit a Service Australia office in person. Here is what happens:

1. Find your nearest office — use the Service Australia office locator. Larger offices in city centres tend to have more staff and shorter wait times early in the morning
2. Bring all your documents — passport, visa grant letter, proof of address, and bank details
3. Check in at reception — tell them you are a new migrant who needs to register with Centrelink
4. Complete an identity check — a staff member will verify your identity using your passport and visa
5. Receive your CRN — this is usually provided on the same day

You can also get a CRN by calling Services Australia on 131 202 (the multilingual line — you can request an interpreter in your language), but visiting in person is generally faster and lets you ask questions face-to-face.

Step 4: Link Centrelink to myGov

Once you have both your myGov account and your CRN, you can link Centrelink to myGov. This allows you to manage your Centrelink claims, report income, upload documents, and view letters online.

How to Link

1. Sign in to my.gov.au
2. Go to "My Services" and click "Link another service"
3. Select "Centrelink" from the list
4. You will be asked for your CRN and one or more of the following to verify your identity:
   • A Centrelink payment amount from a recent payment
   • Your assessment end date
   • A Centrelink online letter reference number
5. If you have just received your CRN and have none of these, you will need a linking code — call 136 240 or visit a Service Australia office to get one

Once linked, you can access Centrelink through myGov to lodge claims, check payment dates, update your details, and upload documents from anywhere.

Step 5: Lodge Your Claim

Now that everything is set up, you can lodge your claim for specific payments. The process varies slightly depending on which payment you are applying for, but the general steps are the same.

Online Claims (Recommended)

1. Sign in to myGov and go to Centrelink
2. Select "Make a claim or view my claims"
3. Choose the payment category (e.g., "Families", "Looking for work", "Disability")
4. Answer the eligibility questions — the system will tell you which payments you may be eligible for
5. Complete the online claim form — this includes personal details, income, assets, housing, and family details
6. Upload supporting documents — scan or photograph your documents and upload them directly
7. Submit your claim and note the receipt number

In-Person Claims

If you are not comfortable with the online process, you can lodge claims at a Service Australia office. Staff can help you fill in the forms and explain what information is needed. Bring all your documents with you.

Which Payments Can Migrants Claim?

The payments available to you depend on your visa type, how long you have been in Australia, and your personal circumstances. Here is a summary of the most common payments new migrants apply for:

Use our Centrelink Calculator to estimate how much you could receive for each payment based on your income and family situation.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

After helping thousands of new migrants navigate the Centrelink process, these are the most common mistakes we see:

1. Not Applying for a TFN First

Many migrants do not realise they need a Tax File Number to receive Centrelink payments. Apply for your TFN as soon as you arrive through the ATO website. It can take up to 28 days to arrive by post, so do this early.

2. Waiting Until NARWP Ends to Apply

You do not need to wait until your waiting period is over to lodge a claim. Services Australia recommends lodging your claim 13 weeks before your NARWP end date. This ensures processing is complete and payments can start on the day you become eligible.

3. Not Opening an Australian Bank Account

Centrelink cannot pay into an overseas bank account. You need an Australian bank account with a BSB and account number. Most major banks (Commonwealth, ANZ, Westpac, NAB) allow you to open an account within 6 weeks of arriving in Australia with just your passport.

4. Submitting Untranslated Documents

All documents must be in English or accompanied by a NAATI-certified translation. Submitting documents in another language will cause delays. Get translations done before visiting the Service Australia office.

5. Not Reporting Changes

Once you start receiving payments, you must report changes to your circumstances within 14 days. This includes starting work, changes in income, moving house, relationship changes, and travel overseas. Failing to report changes can result in debts or penalties.

6. Missing the Income Reporting Deadline

If you receive income support payments like JobSeeker, you must report your income fortnightly, even if it is zero. Missing your reporting date means your payment stops until you report. Set a reminder on your phone for your reporting days.

What Happens After You Apply

After you lodge your claim, here is what to expect:

Processing Times

Processing times vary by payment type:

• Family Tax Benefit: 2-6 weeks
• Child Care Subsidy: 2-4 weeks
• JobSeeker Payment: 3-8 weeks (includes job capacity assessment)
• Special Benefit: 2-4 weeks
• Parental Leave Pay: 2-4 weeks

What You May Be Asked to Do

• Provide additional documents — check your myGov inbox regularly for requests
• Attend a Service Australia appointment — for identity verification or needs assessment
• Complete a Job Plan — if applying for JobSeeker, you will need to agree to a mutual obligation plan with a Workforce Australia provider
• Get children immunised — Family Tax Benefit and Child Care Subsidy require children to meet immunisation requirements

Checking Your Claim Status

You can check the progress of your claim through myGov. Sign in, go to Centrelink, and look for "View my claims". You can also call 136 150 for claim status updates.

Getting Your First Payment

Once your claim is approved, payments are typically made fortnightly into your nominated bank account. You can see your payment dates in the Centrelink app or through myGov. Your first payment may include backpay to the date you became eligible (or the date you lodged your claim, whichever is later).

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I apply for Centrelink on a temporary visa?

Most temporary visa holders cannot access Centrelink payments. However, some temporary visa holders such as those on Partner visas (820/309) may access Family Tax Benefit if their partner is an Australian citizen or permanent resident. Special Benefit may be available in cases of severe financial hardship regardless of visa type. Always check with Services Australia, as eligibility rules can be complex for temporary visas.

How long does it take to get a Centrelink CRN?

If you apply in person at a Service Australia office, you can receive your Customer Reference Number (CRN) on the same day. If you apply online through myGov, it typically takes 1-3 business days to process your identity documents and issue a CRN. We recommend visiting in person if possible, as it is faster and you can ask questions at the same time.

What documents do I need to apply for Centrelink?

You need your passport, visa grant letter from the Department of Home Affairs, proof of Australian address (such as a rental agreement or utility bill), your bank account details, your Tax File Number (TFN) or proof you have applied for one, and your ImmiCard if you have one. If you have a partner or children, you will also need their identity documents, and marriage or birth certificates.

Can I get Centrelink payments while waiting for my NARWP to end?

During the NARWP waiting period, you cannot access most income support payments. However, you may be eligible for Special Benefit if in severe financial hardship, Family Tax Benefit (after the 1-year NARWP), and crisis payments in cases of domestic violence or natural disaster. Medicare is available immediately for most permanent visa holders, which is separate from Centrelink. Read our complete NARWP guide for more details.

Do I need a Tax File Number to apply for Centrelink?

Yes, you need a Tax File Number (TFN) to receive most Centrelink payments. You can apply for a TFN at the ATO website or at a Tax Office. If you have applied but not yet received your TFN, you can provide your application receipt and have 28 days to supply the actual number. Do not let a missing TFN delay your Centrelink claim — lodge the claim and provide the TFN when it arrives.

Can I apply for Centrelink before I arrive in Australia?

No, you cannot apply for Centrelink payments before arriving in Australia. You must be physically present in Australia and have your visa in effect to register with Services Australia and lodge a claim. However, you can prepare by gathering your documents and understanding which payments you will be eligible for before you travel.