MyGov

The first thing you will need to access Centrelink and other government services (such as Medicare, the Australian Tax office and the NDIS portal) is a myGov account. If you don’t already have one, there are some simple steps to get you started on the myGov website, and there is also a myGov app you can download.

You will need to link your myGov account to services like Medicare, Centrelink, the NDIS and the Tax office.

For more information visit the myGov website page or phone the myGov helpdesk on 132 307 (select option 1) for assistance with creating an account and linking services.

See Get Started for links to the myGov website.

 

Tax file number

A tax file number (TFN) is your personal reference number with the Australian Taxation Office (ATO). You need a TFN to apply for a job and for some government payments, such as Disability Support Pension. It is free, and you can apply at any age, however, if you apply online using myGov ID you must be 15 years or older and have a passport. If you don’t have a passport, you can still apply at any age at Australia Post using the online form and then presenting your identity documents, or at a Services Australia centre using a paper form. If a young person gets a TFN before they turn 16, fewer identifying documents are required.

If you are not an Australian resident, the process for applying is different. There are more details visit on the Australian Tax Office’s website. See Get Started for the link.

 

Centrelink payments and services

If you want to claim Centrelink payments or services, you will need a CRN (Customer Reference Number), which is proof of your identity for Centrelink. You may already have one of these if you have received a Centrelink payment or service before. Your CRN appears on letters from Centrelink, or on your concession card if you have one.

If you do not have a CRN, you can create one on the myGov website:

– Sign in to the myGov website;

– Select Link Centrelink from the Link a service menu;

– Select No to Do you have or know your CRN, followed by Next;

– Select Get started on either Digital Identity or Centrelink identity verification.

If you prefer, you can call Centrelink on 132 717 to prove your identity over the phone and be given a CRN, or you can visit a Service Centre. You will be required to have identification documents with you, and you can find out which types of ID on the Services Australia website –

Not sure what payments or services might you be able to get?

Centrelink have an online Payment and Service Finder tool which can help, and Services Australia’s YouTube channel has lots of information about payments and services in video format.

See Get Started for the links to these resources.

 

Disability Support Pension

Not everyone with a disability or medical condition will get the Disability Support Pension (DSP).  There are non-medical rules such as your age, income and assets and medical rules which look at how your condition affects you, and you will need to meet both sets of rules to be successful. Reports from doctors and specialists are required. You can visit the Services Australia website to find out more about Disability Support Pension. See Get Started for the link.

 

Other payments and services many families who live with disability might be eligible for include:

– Carer Payment/Allowance (an income supplement for carers who provide daily care to a person with disability or medical condition);

– Assistance for Isolated Children Scheme (help for students who cannot go to an appropriate state school because of their location, disability or special health needs);

– Family tax benefit and/or Parenting Payment (to help with the cost of raising children);

– Child Care Subsidy (paid directly to approved child care providers to reduce the fees you have to pay);

– Essential Medical Equipment Payment (to help with the additional costs of running medical equipment).

 

Concession cards

Concession and health care cards can get you cheaper health services and medicines.

Types of cards available include:

– Health Care Card and Low Income Health Care Card;

– Commonwealth Seniors Health Card;

– Foster Child Health Care Card (for foster carers or those who care for someone else’s child);

– Pensioner Concession Card.

Visit the Services Australia website for more information about eligibility and how to apply. See Get Started for the link.

 

Medicare Safety Nets

The Medicare Safety Nets are there to help lower your out-of-pocket medical costs for non-hospital services such as doctors, specialists and some tests. When you spend over a certain amount in a calendar year, Medicare gives you a bigger refund.

If you register as a family or couple, you are more likely to reach the Medicare Safety Net threshold sooner, so you can save more money per year on medical costs. Even if your family members are all on the same card, you still need to register. You also need to let Medicare know about any changes to your family such as separation or having a child.

Find out more about Medicare Safety Nets on the Services Australia website. See Get Started for the link.

You can also phone Medicare on 132 011.

 

Companion Card

A Tasmanian Companion Card is for people with lifelong disability who need support from a carer to participate in community activities. It entitles them to a free ticket for their companion carer at some events and venues. It is free to apply and the form is available online, at Service Tasmania Shops or by phoning 1800 009 501.

Not all people with disability will be eligible, as the applicant must show that they need lifelong attendant care due to their disability. The application form must be signed by a health provider (such as a doctor, therapist or social worker), or a service provider who knows the person well.

For more information and to check whether you or your family member is eligible, see Get Started for the link to the Tasmanian Government Companion Card website.

 

Transport Access Scheme

This scheme is for people with a permanent disability which reduces their mobility significantly. The scheme provides disability parking permits, taxi subsidies and concessions on vehicle registrations and drivers licenses.

See Get Started for the link to the Transport Access Scheme Information application form or phone 1300 135 513 to find out more.

 

Pensioner concession parking vouchers

In Hobart, free parking vouchers are available to people with a pension card, and they entitle the person to 4 hours of free parking in any Hobart City Council carpark on any one day a week. You must be the owner of the car and provide both a pension card and vehicle registration in the same name to receive a booklet.

Devonport City Council has also introduced free parking for people who receive a disability pension.

For information on disability parking concessions in Burnie visit the Burnie City Council’s website or phone them on 6430 5700

In Launceston, the council offers a SmartCard to people who live in the Launceston municipality and have a pensioner concession card. The card entitles the holder to 3 hours free parking a week in council carparks, and $80 per year in free tip fees at Launceston, Nunamara and Lilydale Waste Transfer Stations.

See Get Started for links to Hobart, Devonport, Burnie and Launceston’s council websites.

 

Accessibility and inclusion

There are some accessible features you might find helpful when navigating government systems. The Services Australia website has a text to speech feature located on the right side of the page, and includes a customize and print feature with the printed copy including a QR code to make it easy to return to the page. Video and audio formats are also available, or you can download transcripts instead. Services Centres offer free Auslan interpreters and portable hearing loop devices.