Parents with children receiving Youth Allowance or ABSTUDY Living Allowance as a dependent need to update their financial details as soon as possible to ensure their children continue receiving their payment.
Department of Human Services General Manager Hank Jongen said affected students will receive a letter explaining how their parents or guardians can complete the annual Parental Means Test reassessment.
“This process helps ensure dependent students receiving Youth Allowance and ABSTUDY Living Allowance continue to receive the correct rate of payment, so it is important this update is provided accurately and on time,” Mr Jongen said.
“If parents fail to provide an update of their financial details by the date specified on the letter their child’s payment will stop.”
Mr Jongen said the letters included instructions explaining how parents and guardians could complete the assessment online in a few simple steps.
“The easiest way for parents to complete the assessment is to access their Centrelink online account through myGov and select ‘Advise Parental Income’ from the menu,” Mr Jongen said.
“Those who don’t have their own Centrelink online account can still update their details online using the unique One Time Access Code provided in their letter.
“When completing the assessment, it is important to have your child’s Customer Reference Number and your taxable income details from the previous financial year on hand.
“If you have not lodged a tax return, or are yet to receive a Notice of Assessment, you can provide an estimate of your income.”
Parents can find more information about completing the assessment by going to humanservices.gov.au and searching for “annual reassessment”.
