Who can get it

There are 2 rates of Telephone Allowance either:

• basic rate
• higher rate.

Qualifying for the allowance

We’ll assess if you can get the allowance when you claim certain support payments.

If you have a phone or internet service, you can tell us by updating your contact details in your Centrelink online account through myGov. You will need to tell us if your phone and internet account is in your name.

Getting the basic rate

You can get the basic rate if you have both:

• a telephone connected, including a landline or mobile
• the account is in your or your partner’s name.

You must also get one of these payments and meet the extra rules for them.

Disability Support Pension

You may get Telephone Allowance if you are under 21 with no dependent children.

JobSeeker Payment

You may get Telephone Allowance, if one of these apply. You are:

• over 55 and have got JobSeeker Payment for 9 months with no break
• not employed full time because of a disability
• single and have a dependent child in your care
• the principal carer of a dependent child, and your partner is over 55 and has got JobSeeker Payment or Farm Household Allowance for 9 months with no break.

Youth Allowance (job seeker)

You may get Telephone Allowance if one of these apply. You are:

• not employed full time because of a disability
• single and have a dependent child in your care
• the principal carer of a dependent child, and your partner is over 55 and has got JobSeeker Payment or Farm Household Allowance for 9 months with no break.

Farm Household Allowance

You may be eligible for Telephone Allowance if one of these apply. You are:

• over 55 and have got Farm Household Allowance for 9 months with no break
• single and the principal carer of a dependent child
• the principal carer of a dependent child and your partner is over 55 and has got JobSeeker Payment or Farm Household Allowance for 9 months with no break.

Parenting Payment single

You may be eligible for Telephone Allowance if you are single and under Age Pension age.

Parenting Payment partnered

You may be eligible for Telephone Allowance if one of these apply. You are:

• over 55 and have got Parenting Payment for 9 months with no break
• not employed full time because of a disability.

You may also be eligible if your partner is over 55 but under Age Pension age and has got JobSeeker Payment or Farm Household Allowance for 9 months with no break.

Special Benefit

You may be eligible for Telephone Allowance if you get Special Benefit and are over 55 but under Age Pension age and have got Special Benefit payments for 9 months with no break.

Getting the higher rate

You can get the higher rate of Telephone Allowance if you get the basic rate and get either:

• Disability Support Pension and you are younger than 21 with no dependent children
• Farm Household Allowance.

You will also need to have internet for any device in your or your partner’s name.

Reviewing the allowance

You need to let us know if your phone or internet details change. We’ll review your allowance when you advise us of a change.