Centrelink extends Medical Certificate validity to 24 months

Important changes are coming to Centrelink medical certificate exemptions, with the maximum timeframe being extended to 24 months from 1 January 2025. This update affects job seekers who are unable to meet their Centrelink payment requirements due to illness or injury.

Category	Previous Timeframe	New Timeframe
Medical Exemptions	13 weeks	Up to 24 months
Temporary Incapacity Exemptions	13 weeks	Up to 24 months
Incapacity due to Serious Illness Exemptions	13 weeks	Up to 24 months

Major changes

Centrelink’s medical certificate exemption period has been extended to 24 months, effective January 1, 2025.
Eligible job seekers can receive centrelink payments for up to 24 months during illness or injury.
The change affects major income support programs, including JobSeeker, Youth Allowance, and Parenting Payment Single.
The government’s initiative provides a centrelink cash boost to support Australians during crisis periods.
The extension of the medical exemption period is part of the government’s efforts to provide complete support and assistance through centrelink payments and government assistance.
Over 1 million Australians eligible for welfare will benefit from this change, starting January 1, 2025.
The update aims to support individuals with prolonged medical conditions or injuries, recognizing varying recovery times among recipients.

Healthcare professionals can provide medical evidence through two primary methods:

Online submission via Health Professional Online Services (HPOS) using the Centrelink Medical Certificate (SU683)
Manual completion of the Centrelink Medical Certificate (SU415) form with signature

The extended timeframe allows for more comprehensive coverage of long-term medical conditions, reducing the need for frequent certificate renewals. This change streamlines the process for both healthcare providers and patients while ensuring appropriate support for those unable to meet their regular Centrelink obligations.

Centrelink will continue to assess all submitted medical evidence to determine eligibility for requirement exemptions. Healthcare providers should ensure all medical certificates include detailed information about the patient’s condition and its impact on their ability to meet Centrelink obligations.

For more information about completing medical certificates or using HPOS, healthcare providers can contact Centrelink’s health professional services.

Note: This change will take effect from 1 January 2025.

FAQ

What are the major changes to Centrelink medical certificate requirements?

The Australian government has made a big change. Now, Centrelink medical certificates are valid for 24 months, not just 13 weeks. This change helps more Australians who can’t work because of health issues.

What is the new 24-month certification period?

This new rule helps job seekers who can’t work because of illness or injury. It looks at how serious the condition is and how long it will take to get better. It also checks if there are other ways for the person to work.

What are the different types of Centrelink medical certificates?

There are two main types of certificates. The standard one helps for up to 24 months. The temporary one helps for up to 13 weeks. Knowing which one you need is important to get the right support.

How will the changes to Centrelink medical certificates impact different payment recipients?

These changes will affect people getting Disability Support Pension, JobSeeker Payment, and Carer Payment. It means more flexible support for those facing health barriers. This affects how they meet job requirements and access benefits.

How do these changes support Australia’s long-term health management strategy?

These changes are part of a bigger plan to help Australians and their families in tough times. It focuses on recovery without the stress of job hunting. This helps reduce financial stress and puts health first.

1 thought on “Centrelink extends Medical Certificate validity to 24 months”

Martin Palk

January 16, 2025 at 9:42 am

There are so many people on job seeker payment that will never be able to work full-time again, they should be on disability pension, that is the system 😑 that needs to be changed. Centrelink has a lot to answer for putting these people under high stress levels, wake up Centrelink and fix the problem.