Centrelink Double Orphan Pension 2025: New Application Process & Updated Eligibility Criteria!

Centrelink’s Double Orphan Pension is an essential monetary support program for children whose both parents have passed away or are unable to provide for them in extraordinary circumstances. This pension is granted to their guardians so that they can take care of the child with ease.

Double Orphan Pension Amount in 2025

In 2025, the Government has raised this non-tax payment to $79.90 a fortnight. This indicates the Government’s support towards families in adversity.

Eligibility Conditions for Double Orphan Pension in 2025

The Double Orphan Pension is offered to the child and caregiver who fulfill some prerequisites.

Requirements for a Caregiver:

• The caregiver will be responsible for taking care of the child at least 35% of the time.
• The applicant should be an Australian resident (Australian residency regulations).
• They should not be getting any other payment for the same child from Centrelink or the Orphan Pension from the Department of Veterans’ Affairs.
• The applicant should have claimed Family Tax Benefit (FTB) or be ineligible because of high family income.

Eligibility criteria for the child

One of the parents of the child –
Both have died, or
One parent has passed away and the other –

• Has been incarcerated for a minimum of 10 years, or
• Indefinitely committed to a mental institution or nursing facility, or
• Missing (no known whereabouts).

The child is a Refugee and his or her parents are residing outside Australia or are missing.

There is No income or asset test for Double Orphan Pension to ensure that the financial help reaches the most deserving.

Application process for Double Orphan Pension

One has to go through the application process in order to use this scheme.

1. Prepare the required documents:

Child’s birth certificate.
If the child is a refugee, then his refugee certificate.
Parents’ Death Certificates or other necessary documents like –

• Evidence of being in prison,
• Evidence of being admitted to a mental hospital,
• Parent’s disappearance official document.

2. Complete the application form:

Double orphan pension claim form can be accessed as follows –
You can download and print it by downloading it online (from Services Australia’s official website).
You can ask for the Child Bereavement and Double Orphan Pension assistance through phone call.
You can obtain the form from the closest Service Centre.

3. Lodge the application:

Online: Through your Centrelink online account or Express Plus Centrelink mobile app. (Linked myGov account required).
By post: Mail the completed form and documents to the below address –
Services Australia Families, Reply Paid 7802, Canberra BC ACT 2610
Lodge the application in person at a service centre

4. Application assessment and processing:

• The Centrelink will acknowledge receipt on receipt of your application.
• You will be contacted by Centrelink if you are asked for any further details.
• Notification of the outcome of your application will be by letter.

Take care to keep all the information accurate and up-to-date, so your application is not delayed.

Supplementary support to carers

Other than Double Orphan Pension, carers also stand to benefit from government assistance schemes –

• Family Tax Benefit (FTB): Economic assistance to families having dependent children.
• Carer Allowance: Extra payment to a carer of a disabled, seriously ill, or old person.
• Child Care Subsidy: Assistance towards payment of government-recognised child care facilities.
• Healthcare Cards: Programmes offering concession on medical treatment and drugs.

Carers can verify eligibility for all the programmes and apply in order to avail maximum assistance.

Payment management and important notifications

After receiving the Double Orphan Pension, it is important to ensure Centrelink is informed of any significant changes, such as –

• Changes to child care arrangements.
• If the child is between the ages of 16 and 19 years and stops full-time education.
• If the child or carer’s citizenship or residency status changes.
• Any other significant changes that may affect payments.

Keeping information up to date ensures that you receive the right help at the right time and there are no delays.

Conclusion

The Double Orphan Pension is a valuable care scheme for carers of children who have lost both parents or whose parents cannot look after them.

FAQs