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1. Eligibility criteria
2. How can I show that I am unable to work?
1. Eligibility criteria
You may be eligible for a Sickness Allowance if
- you are unable to work because of a temporary illness or accident
- your inability to work is caused by a medical condition arising from the illness or injury
- you have a job to return to, or you were a full-time student receiving Austudy or ABSTUDY when you became ill, and you will return to full-time study when you are well
- you are 16 years or older, but younger than the Age Pension age
- you are an Australian resident.
If you are 15 years old and independent of your parents, you may be eligible for a Sickness Allowance.
You may have to serve a waiting period before becoming eligible for a Sickness Allowance. If so, the waiting period will take effect from the day you became ill or injured. The waiting period may be waived or reduced if you are experiencing severe financial hardship due to unavoidable or reasonable expenditure.
If you were working, you may be required to take unused sick leave before becoming eligible for a Sickness Allowance.
2. How can I show that I am unable to work?
You will need a medical certificate from a doctor declaring that you are temporarily unfit for work.
Each medical certificate is valid for up to 13 weeks, so you will need another certificate after 13 weeks if you are still unable to work. Twenty-eight days and seven days before your certificate expires, Centrelink will send you a letter reminding you that you must provide another medical certificate if you wish to continue receiving a Sickness Allowance.
If you do not provide a medical certificate by the due date, your Sickness Allowance will be suspended for two weeks from the date the certificate was due.
If you provide a medical certificate within two weeks of the due date, you will have your Sickness Allowance restored in full. If you do not, your payment will be cancelled, and you will have to lodge a new claim if you want to continue receiving a Sickness Allowance.
Next Section: Disability Support Pension
