Summary
myGov (my.gov.au) is the Australian Government’s online portal that connects you to government services including Centrelink, Medicare and the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) from a single account – setting up myGov and linking the relevant services is the essential first step for any migrant navigating Australian government payments; you cannot claim Centrelink payments online without a myGov account linked to Centrelink, and you will use myGov throughout your time in Australia for tax returns, payment claims, Medicare and superannuation management
Most new permanent residents face a Newly Arrived Resident’s Waiting Period (NARWP) of 4 years before they can access most Centrelink income support payments – the NARWP was doubled from 2 years to 4 years on 1 January 2019; it applies to most income support payments including JobSeeker, Youth Allowance and Parenting Payment; it does NOT apply to Medicare access, your right to work or most concession cards; Special Benefit is the main safety net payment available to eligible migrants during the NARWP
Your eligibility for Australian government payments migrants depends on your visa type, your residency status and how long you have been in Australia – Australian citizens and most permanent residents are eligible for Medicare immediately; eligibility for Centrelink income support payments is more restricted and depends on the specific payment, visa type and NARWP status; some temporary visa holders have no access to Centrelink payments at all
What is myGov?
myGov (my.gov.au) is the Australian Government’s online services portal. It allows you to access multiple government services from a single account, including:
- Centrelink (Services Australia payments and claims)
- Medicare (health benefits, claiming rebates)
- Australian Taxation Office (ATO) (tax returns, PAYG income, superannuation)
- My Health Record
- Child Support
- Department of Veterans’ Affairs
- National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)
myGov itself is just the gateway – you need to link each service separately. The most important services for new migrants are Centrelink, Medicare and the ATO.
How to set up myGov
Step 1: Create a myGov account
- Go to my.gov.au
- Click “Create a myGov account”
- Enter your email address and create a password
- Verify your email address
- Set up a secret code and security questions
You need: a valid email address, an Australian phone number for verification and proof of identity documents.
Step 2: Link Centrelink to myGov
- Log into myGov
- Go to “Services” and select “Centrelink”
- You need your Customer Reference Number (CRN) to link Centrelink
Your CRN is a unique number that identifies your Centrelink record. To get a CRN for the first time, you need to visit a Services Australia service centre in person with identity documents. Once you have your CRN, you can link Centrelink to myGov and manage your account online.
Step 3: Link Medicare
- From myGov, go to “Services” and select “Medicare”
- You need your Medicare card number to link
Step 4: Link the ATO
- From myGov, go to “Services” and select “Australian Taxation Office”
- You need your Tax File Number (TFN) to link
Download the myGov app (iOS and Android) for convenient mobile access. Services Australia recommends all users download the app and set up a myGov access code (a 4-digit PIN or biometric login) for secure mobile access.
Medicare for migrants
Medicare is Australia’s universal health insurance system, funded by the federal government and administered by Services Australia. It covers:
- Visits to bulk-billing GPs (free for eligible patients)
- Reduced costs for specialist consultations (Medicare rebate)
- Subsidised prescription medicines through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS)
- Free treatment as a public patient in a public hospital
- Mental health services (Medicare Mental Health Plan)
Who is eligible for Medicare?
Automatically eligible:
- Australian citizens (including dual citizens)
- Australian permanent residents
- New Zealand citizens living in Australia
- People from countries with Reciprocal Health Care Agreements (RHCA): United Kingdom, Ireland, Sweden, Netherlands, Finland, Norway, Italy, Belgium, Malta, Slovenia and New Zealand
Eligible on certain temporary visas:
- Some temporary residents on specific visa subclasses – check servicesaustralia.gov.au for your specific visa
Not eligible:
- Visitor visa holders (subclass 600, 601, 651)
- Most student visa holders (unless from an RHCA country or with private health insurance arranged through the university)
- Working Holiday Visa holders (subclass 417 and 462) – check for RHCA entitlements based on your passport
Important: Medicare eligibility is largely separate from Centrelink eligibility. You can access Medicare immediately upon arriving in Australia on an eligible visa, even if you are subject to a Centrelink NARWP waiting period.
OrbitRemit has a detailed guide to Medicare for migrants: Medicare for migrants in Australia.
Centrelink for migrants: what you can access and when
Centrelink is the welfare payments arm of Services Australia. It administers income support, family payments and a range of other financial assistance programs.
The Newly Arrived Resident’s Waiting Period (NARWP)
Most new permanent residents must serve a 4-year NARWP before they can access most Centrelink income support payments. The NARWP was doubled from 2 years to 4 years on 1 January 2019.
Key points about the NARWP:
- Applies from the date you become a permanent resident (or the date you arrived in Australia if you were already here on a temporary visa when granted PR, whichever is later)
- Applies to most income support payments including JobSeeker Payment, Youth Allowance, Parenting Payment and Austudy
- Does NOT affect your right to work
- Does NOT affect Medicare access
- Does NOT affect your right to apply for most concession cards
- Does NOT affect Family Tax Benefit Part A and Part B (these have a separate 1-year waiting period in some cases)
Payments with NO NARWP (available immediately to eligible visa holders):
- Special Benefit
- Crisis Payment
- Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment (where applicable)
- Family Tax Benefit (subject to separate waiting periods)
- Child Care Subsidy
- Parental Leave Pay and Dad and Partner Pay (subject to work test)
Special Benefit
Special Benefit is the most important safety net payment for new migrants during the NARWP. It is available to people who are in severe financial hardship and cannot access other income support payments due to the NARWP.
Special Benefit requires demonstrating severe financial hardship – it is not automatically available and is assessed case by case. Contact Services Australia on 13 27 17 if you believe you may be eligible.
Payments available after NARWP (for eligible permanent residents)
Once the 4-year NARWP is complete, eligible permanent residents can apply for:
| Payment | Who it is for |
|---|---|
| JobSeeker Payment | Working-age people who are looking for work |
| Youth Allowance | Young people aged 16-24 who are studying or looking for work |
| Parenting Payment | Primary carers of young children |
| Disability Support Pension | People with a permanent disability affecting their ability to work |
| Austudy | Students aged 25 and over |
| Age Pension | Older Australians who meet age and residency requirements |
Visa types and Centrelink access
| Visa type | Centrelink access | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Australian citizen | Full access after NARWP | NARWP may have been served on a previous PR visa |
| Permanent resident (skilled) | Most payments after 4-year NARWP | Some payments available immediately |
| Partner visa (801, 820, 100, 309) | NARWP applies | Check specifics for temporary partner visa stages |
| Humanitarian visa | Some payments immediately | Refugee and humanitarian visa holders may be exempt from NARWP |
| Temporary visa (457, 482, 500, 600) | Generally no Centrelink access | Some exceptions apply |
| Working Holiday Visa (417, 462) | No Centrelink access | Some Medicare access via RHCA may apply |
| New Zealand citizen (Special Category Visa) | Limited access | Protected SCV holders (arrived before 26 February 2001) have more access than post-2001 arrivals |
Family Tax Benefit (FTB)
Family Tax Benefit (FTB) is a payment to help families with the cost of raising children. It has two parts:
FTB Part A: A per-child payment based on family income. The waiting period for new migrants is 1 year in most cases (shorter than the standard NARWP for income support).
FTB Part B: A payment for single-parent families or families with one main income earner. A 1-year waiting period applies for new migrants in most cases.
Immunisation requirement: From July 2018, children must meet Australian immunisation requirements for families to receive the full FTB Part A rate. Payments may reduce by approximately $30.66 per fortnight for each child who does not meet the requirements.
Child Care Subsidy (CCS)
The Child Care Subsidy helps eligible families with the cost of approved childcare. Eligibility requires:
- The child is aged 13 or under and not attending secondary school
- The child meets Australian immunisation requirements
- The family meets the activity test (working, studying, training or volunteering a minimum number of hours per fortnight)
- Family income is below the income threshold (check servicesaustralia.gov.au for current thresholds)
The CCS is generally available to eligible permanent residents and New Zealand citizens without the 4-year NARWP that applies to income support payments.
The ATO and your taxes
The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) administers income tax for individuals and businesses. Key obligations and services for migrants:
Tax File Number (TFN): Apply for your TFN at ato.gov.au. You need a TFN to work in Australia, lodge a tax return and access some government services. Without a TFN, your employer will withhold tax at the top marginal rate.
Tax return: Australia’s financial year runs from 1 July to 30 June. Tax returns for the previous financial year are due by 31 October (or later if you use a registered tax agent). Lodge your tax return through myGov linked to the ATO.
Superannuation: Employers must contribute 12% of your ordinary time earnings to a superannuation fund (the rate increased from 11.5% to 12% on 1 July 2025). You can manage your super through myGov linked to the ATO.
Departing Australia Superannuation Payment (DASP): If you are a temporary resident who has left Australia permanently, you may be able to claim your super back through a DASP application.
Key Services Australia phone numbers and contacts
| Service | Phone | What they can help with |
|---|---|---|
| Centrelink general enquiries | 13 24 68 | Payment questions, eligibility, claims |
| Centrelink new migrants | 13 12 40 | Payments for recently arrived residents |
| Medicare | 13 20 11 | Enrolment, claims, card enquiries |
| ATO individuals | 13 28 61 | Tax file numbers, income tax |
| Multilingual phone service | 13 12 02 | Interpreter access for all Services Australia calls |
Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National): Free professional interpreting available 24/7 for calls to government agencies. Call 13 14 50 and ask for TIS National when calling any government service.
FAQs (frequently asked questions)
Can I access Centrelink as a new permanent resident?
Most income support payments require a 4-year NARWP. Some payments are available immediately, including Special Benefit (if in severe financial hardship) and some family payments. Medicare is generally available immediately on most eligible visas.
What is the NARWP?
The Newly Arrived Resident’s Waiting Period – a 4-year period that most new permanent residents must serve before accessing most Centrelink income support payments. It does not affect Medicare access or work rights.
How do I set up myGov?
Go to my.gov.au, create an account with your email address, then link Centrelink (using your CRN), Medicare (using your Medicare card number) and the ATO (using your TFN). Download the myGov app for mobile access.
What is a CRN?
A Customer Reference Number – your unique identifier for Centrelink. To get a CRN for the first time, visit a Services Australia service centre in person with identity documents.
Can I access Medicare immediately as a new migrant?
In most cases yes, if you hold a permanent resident visa or certain temporary visas. Citizens and permanent residents are generally eligible immediately. Check servicesaustralia.gov.au for your specific visa type.
Are there payments available in my language?
Yes – the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National) provides free interpreter access for all Services Australia calls. Call 13 14 50 or ask for TIS when you call any government number.
Related guides
- What is a TFN in Australia?
- Medicare for migrants in Australia
- What is PAYG in Australia?
- What is superannuation in Australia?
- Australia tax return guide for migrants
Government payments, eligibility rules and waiting periods are subject to change. Always verify current details at servicesaustralia.gov.au or by calling Services Australia. This guide is for general information only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Last updated October 2026.
Sources: servicesaustralia.gov.au – Get started with myGov factsheet (July 2026) | settleau.com.au – NARWP Explained: The Complete Guide (April 2026) | settleau.com.au – Centrelink Waiting Periods Explained (April 2026) | centrelinkrates.com – How to Apply for Centrelink Through myGov: Step-by-Step Guide 2026 (March 2026) | firstmigrationservice.com – Centrelink and Government Benefits for Visa Holders (January 2026) | australianvisaonline.com – Centrelink Benefits for New Migrants (2026)
