As a new academic year is coming, the need in terms of student financial support is still high in 2025. It should be noted that no matter what type of allowance you are filing, be it Youth Allowance, Austudy, or ABSTUDY, it is the most effective method to keep track of your claim online. Since seasonal surges and documentation requirements may cause average processing times to be higher or lower than they were the last time you conducted research, understanding the likely times during the evaluation stage can assist in making the budget of your study with a higher degree of confidence.
Knowing Current Processing Times
By the end of 2025, the average time of processing most claims by students is about 42 days (6 weeks). But in the peak period (January-March), the same may stretch since the system receives a huge number of new applications. The IRS and Services Australia has also incorporated new digital vetting devices to expedite simple claims, however, in case of your case where income testing is complex and/or status of independent verification, the wait period might take more time. When you make your initial claim, you will be given an approximate date by which you should expect to complete the claim which is your main guide of time.
How to Track Your Status Online
The quickest means of tracking your claim is via the Express Plus Centrelink mobile app or your myGov. When you enter a claim, you will see one of the four possible labels of Make a claim or view claim status.
- Accepted: We have received your application and it is on the first queue.
- Processing Officer: Your details are being reviewed by a processing officer.
- On Hold: The IRS/Centrelink needs more information of yours (check your myGov Inbox now)
- Finalized: You have made your choice and a document letter has been sent to your online mailbox.
Hints to Quick Claim Processing
Fragmented documentation is the most prevalent delay cause. In order to make your claim go through the system fast, you need to:
- Apply Now: No need to wait to be asked; send your TFN, evidence of enrolment, and parental income information (under 22 years only) the same day that you make an application.
- Check Study Load: Your course must be approved and have been with regard to the full time study load requirements.
- Identify Yourself Faster: Starting the claim with the Digital Identity tool in myGov, you can prove your identity and this can take days off the verification process.
- Claim Early: You are able to commence your student claim up to 13 weeks before the course actually commences.
Post Approval: What to Expect
When your claim is marked as Completed, a notification would be sent to you either through SMS or email. Your initial payment will usually be made to you within 2 weeks of the date of grant, unless you are subject to a waiting period (e.g. Liquid Assets Waiting Period). Most of the student payments will increase in 2026, with January 1 indexation, which means that your first payment can be based on the new and increased rates. This initial payment is usually pro-rata, or i.e. covering only the number of days between your day of eligibility and the last day of that particular fortnight.
Backpay and Waiting Periods
The misconception most people have is that all the payments get made back with respect to the date of submission. Most of the claims are paid back to the date you turn eligible, but there are Waiting Periods that may apply to you in case you have considerable savings, or when you have just had a redundancy payout. In the case of 2025, Liquid Assets Waiting Period may be between 1 and 13 weeks. Where your claim is not covered by any waiting periods, and you cannot do it to yourself to have it processed in under 42 days, any amount owing to you will be paid as a lump sum backpay when the claim is finalized.
Claim Status Reference
| Status Label | Meaning | Action Required |
| Submitted | In the queue | None; wait for review |
| In Progress | Being assessed | None; check myGov for updates |
| On Hold | Missing Info | Action Required: Check Inbox/Tasks |
| Completed | Decision Made | View your letter for pay dates |
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Has Centrelink got a phone number that I can call to hasten my claim?
No, as a rule, that is what the call center employees see on the Internet. Only call in case your claim has exceeded its “estimated completion date” or in case you are in urgent need of money.
2. What in case my course begins before my claim has been approved?
Don’t panic. In case your claim is later approved and you were eligible at the time the course commenced, then your payment will normally be repaid back until the date of your commencement of studies or the date of your application.
3. Why is my claim “On Hold”?
This normally translates to the rejection of a document or the absence of a parental income form. Go to the section of your online account (sort of check list) that is called Tasks, to find out what is needed to start it running again.
Disclaimer
The information is purely informational. You may refer to the official sources.
