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Linking a child to a customer's record 102-05050120



This document explains how to link a child to a customer's record for a new claim or for an existing customer. It also explains how to assess the child as a dependent for social security and family assistance payments. A child's record will link to the record of each person claiming for the child. This is so the assessment of entitlements and concessions is correct.

Child record

If a child has an existing Customer Reference Number (CRN):

  • only create a new record when the child has been adopted
  • the new record will link to the adoptive parent

This protects the privacy of the:

  • adoptive parent
  • the birth parent, and
  • the child

Record the child as 'Newborn' if the claim is lodged before the newborn has a name.

This procedure explains recording requirements to finalise the claim.

For an unnamed child, do not use words such as:

  • 'baby'
  • 'girl'
  • 'boy'

These words are legitimate legal first names, notably in Indian, Persian and Burmese ethnic groups.

Contact the customer (if in doubt), to confirm if they are intended as a child's legitimate first name. This procedure explains how to:

  • link a child if the child has no Centrelink record
  • link a child who has a Centrelink child record, for example when changing care or coding shared care details
  • link a child who is a customer, for example receiving Youth Allowance (YA)
  • link a child to a customer where the child record is in a different environment

The Resources page contains a link to the Families level 2 helpdesk request form and examples of when a child cannot be linked to a customer's record.

Family Tax Benefit (FTB) child of a person

Assessment of dependent children, additional income free area and child income under social security law

Assessing family assistance and Paid Parental Leave scheme claims

Claiming Parenting Payment (PP)

Principal carer of a dependent child

Child enters customer's care/custody

Inter-environment change of address (ICoA) transfer of a child record

Viewing child eligibility details on the Assessment Explanation (AX) and Assessment Details (ASDT) screens

Intertwined Centrelink records

Change of care for Family Tax Benefit (FTB)

Processing Child Care Subsidy (CCS) claims