How to Claim Age Pension Through Centrelink When You Reach Pension Age
You can claim Australia’s Age Pension up to 13 weeks before turning 67. Check the residence, income and assets rules, prepare supporting documents, and claim through myGov or ask Centrelink for a paper or assisted claim.
AU Australia
Benefits & Support ~ 5 min read
6 FAQ
Updated 2026-09-25
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You can submit an Age Pension claim to Services Australia up to 13 weeks before you turn 67. You must meet the residence rules and the income and assets tests. Claim through a Centrelink online account linked to myGov, or use the paper claim and Income and Assets forms if you cannot claim online. Services Australia will tell you which supporting documents it needs and give you an estimated completion date after you submit an online claim.
What you need
- Details or documents confirming your age, bank account, tax file number, income and assets.
- Evidence of Australian residence status, unless Services Australia already has it or you are an Australian citizen born in Australia.
- Partner and relationship information if you are a member of a couple.
- Identity documents if Services Australia asks you to prove your identity.
- Financial records relevant to your circumstances, which may include bank, superannuation, income stream, investment or property documents.
- For a paper claim, a signed Claim for Age Pension and Pension Bonus form (SA002), an Income and assets form (SA369), and the requested supporting documents.
Eligibility
You generally need to be 67 or older, meet the income and assets tests, and satisfy the Age Pension residence rules. You can lodge a claim during the 13 weeks before reaching Age Pension age. On the day you claim, the usual residence rules require you to be living in Australia, physically in Australia and an Australian resident. Generally, you must have been an Australian resident for at least 10 years in total, including one unbroken period of at least five years. Exceptions may apply, including for refugees and under international social security agreements. If you live outside Australia, check the separate agreement-country claim arrangements with Services Australia.
How to do it
- Check when you can claim. Work out when you turn 67. You can start your Age Pension claim up to 13 weeks before that date. Check the residence, income and assets rules before applying.
- Gather your information. Prepare your bank, tax file number, income and asset details, together with the identity, residence and financial documents relevant to your circumstances. Services Australia will identify the documents required for your claim.
- Choose a claim route. For an online claim, sign in to myGov with a linked Centrelink online account, select “Make a claim or view claim status”, then “Make a claim” and “Older Australians”. Submit the claim within 13 weeks of starting it or the unfinished claim will expire.
- Use a paper or assisted route if needed. If you cannot claim online, complete forms SA002 and SA369 with supporting documents, call the Older Australians line on 132 300, or arrange help at a service centre. A paper form can be uploaded, submitted at a service centre or posted as directed by Services Australia.
- Track the decision. Keep the online receipt and claim ID. Check myGov or the Express Plus Centrelink app for progress and requests for further information. Services Australia will send the decision by electronic letter or post.
When to lodge an Age Pension claim
Age Pension age is 67. Services Australia allows you to claim up to 13 weeks before you reach that age, giving it time to assess your information. Reaching 67 does not automatically qualify you: residence, income and assets rules also apply. Your income and assets, including relevant partner information, affect whether a pension is payable and its rate.
Residence and financial information to prepare
Most claimants must be living in Australia and physically present when they claim, and generally need at least 10 years of Australian residence, including five continuous years. Services Australia lists exceptions, including for refugees, and an international agreement may help a person who has lived or worked overseas. Check the applicable route if you are outside Australia.
Prepare evidence of your age, bank account, tax file number, residence status and income and assets. Depending on your circumstances, Services Australia may request savings statements, superannuation or income stream records, property and investment documents, or partner details. The online claim supplies a task list; the paper claim identifies documents alongside the relevant questions. Missing evidence can delay assessment.
Online, paper and assisted claim routes
For the online route, link your Centrelink online account to myGov and follow the claim prompts under “Older Australians”. If both partners are claiming, a combined online claim may be available when its account and relationship requirements are met. If you cannot claim online, use the Claim for Age Pension and Pension Bonus form (SA002) and Income and assets form (SA369), or seek help from the Older Australians line or a Services Australia service centre.
If you already receive an eligible Centrelink payment, Services Australia may invite you to transfer to Age Pension 13 weeks before you reach pension age. Follow that invitation and provide the requested information; an invitation does not guarantee eligibility. If you reach pension age but do not qualify for Age Pension, the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card may be relevant. People considering retirement income secured against their home can separately review the Home Equity Access Scheme, which is a loan rather than Age Pension.
After submitting your claim
An online receipt includes a claim ID and an estimated completion date. Track the claim in myGov or the Express Plus Centrelink app. If Services Australia requests additional documents after submission, provide them within 14 days of the request; the claim may be put on hold while the agency waits, and it may be rejected if you miss the deadline. The decision arrives in your myGov Inbox, app or post, depending on your correspondence settings.
Frequently asked questions
What age can I claim Age Pension in Australia?
Age Pension age is 67. You can lodge your claim up to 13 weeks before your 67th birthday, but payment depends on meeting the other eligibility rules.
Can I claim Age Pension without myGov?
Yes. If you cannot claim online, you can submit paper forms SA002 and SA369 with supporting documents, or ask Services Australia for help by phone or at a service centre.
Do I need 10 years of Australian residence?
Generally, you need at least 10 years in total, including an unbroken five-year period. Exceptions exist, including for refugees, and an international social security agreement may help some applicants.
Do my partner’s finances matter?
Yes. Services Australia asks for partner information where applicable and uses income and asset details to assess entitlement and payment rates.
What if I already receive a Centrelink payment?
If it is an eligible payment, Services Australia may invite you to transfer to Age Pension 13 weeks before you reach pension age. Follow the transfer instructions and provide any requested information.
How long will my Age Pension claim take?
Services Australia does not publish one fixed timeframe for every claim. Your online submission receipt provides an estimated completion date and a link to track the claim.
Official sources
Services Australia — Who can get Age PensionServices Australia — Residence rules for Age PensionServices Australia — Claiming a payment when you start retirementServices Australia — How to claim Age PensionServices Australia — Supporting documents for Age PensionServices Australia — Claim for Age Pension and Pension Bonus form (SA002)Services Australia — Income and assets form (SA369)Services Australia — Transfer to Age PensionRelated procedures
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