To be eligible you must be at least 21 years and under Age Pension age, have a job or be in full-time study, become temporarily unable to work or study due to illness or an accident, and have a job or course of study to return to when you are better.

To apply you have to get your doctor to fill out a form from Centrelink, saying you are unable to work for a period of more than seven days. The maximum time a medical certificate can cover you for is three months (13 weeks). Centrelink will want another medical form from your doctor if you are still unable to work after that time.

Note: If you are unemployed and become sick, or lose your job due to illness, Centrelink can keep paying you Newstart Allowance without the Activity Test, or with less requirements. This payment is called 'Newstart (Incapacitated)'.