Centrelink is the government body that provides income support such as aged pensions or Newstart allowance. Payments made by Centrelink are generally subject to an income test and/or an assets test. What this means is that depending on the benefit that you apply for, Centrelink will determine whether or not a payment can be made by looking at how much you earn and how much you own.

Some common types of benefits available from Centrelink are:

Age Pension

The Age Pension is a safety net for people who are not able to fully provide for themselves in retirement. It is paid so people who have reached the retirement age have adequate incomes. Centrelink provides the Age Pension for men ages 65 or over and women once they reach the qualifying age based on their date of birth.

This can be a complex and very sensitive area. If you do not qualify for Aged Pension or for a partial Aged Pension, AWS can provide strategies to potentially allow you to qualify for higher payments.

AWS has represented the interests of many clients to Centrelink and can potentially best represent your interests as well.

Newstart Allowance (NSA)

NSA is intended to ensure people who are unemployed receive an adequate level of income and participate in activities designed to increase their chances of finding work.

Family Tax Benefit

• Part A
• Part B

Family Tax benefits are intended to provide income support while you or your spouse stay at home to look after children or to support the income required to bring up a child.

AWS can provide you with general advice in relation to Newstart Allowance and the Family Tax Benefit.

The material contained in this document is based on information received in good faith from sources within the market, and on our understanding of legislation and Government press releases at the date of publication, which are believed to be reliable and accurate.