You'll need to let us know if you become partnered. This is so we can pay you the right amount. If you or your partner are making a claim for a payment, you'll need to confirm your relationship status with us. We assess relationship types as married, registered or de facto.
Normally, you need to tell us within 14 days when you start a relationship or the change happens. When you claim a payment from us, we'll ask about your relationship status. This includes if you're single or a member of a couple. This helps us pay you the right amount.
If you're not sure whether you're a member of a couple, we may need to assess your relationship. It's important to tell us when your relationship changes. If you don't, we may pay you the wrong amount and you'll have to repay the money. There may be other penalties.
If you are assessed as in a de-facto relationship and you are otherwise assessed as 'independent' (e.g. because you are 22) then your partner's income and assets will be assessed and may effect your payment. This applies even though you may have not been together for 12 months.
Centrelink will consider whether you're a member of a couple when determining your eligibility for a payment and how much payment you are entitled to receive.
For Centrelink purposes you are considered to be a member of a couple if you and your partner are living together, or usually live together, and are: married; or. in a registered relationship; or. in a de facto relationship.
A person is a member of a couple (1.1. M. 120) under the SSAct, if they are legally married, in a registered relationship, or in a de facto relationship and are not living separately and apart on a permanent or indefinite basis.
So the second part of the myth, that after 6 months the new partner can make a claim, is partially dispelled. Normally the relationship needs to be at least 2 years.
A de facto relationship is when you and your partner have a relationship and live together as a couple but are not married.
A Binding Financial Agreement (BFA) is often the most effective approach. A BFA takes into account what each person brings into the relationship, their contributions during the relationship and other conditions that would come into effect, for example, such as the birth of any children.
Centrelink False Claims
Giving false information on relationship status, disability status, or understating income with an aim of receiving benefits from the welfare or social security warrants a cause for action.
If Centrelink suspects that you have committed an offence, they will first conduct an investigation. They may invite you to attend a formal interview or may come to your house. If they still believe you committed an offence, they will then refer the matter to the CDPP.
You may be able to tell us online when you break up or separate from your partner. This will depend on the type of payment you get. If you can't tell us online, use the separation details form to let us know. You don't need your ex-partner to complete their part of the separation form.
To prove a de facto relationship, you must show that you live together, or at least not apart on a permanent basis. If you have started living together, but then one partner moves temporarily due to external circumstances, it may still be possible to make a successful application.
A person would not have a de facto partner unless they have lived together as a couple for two years without separation. Therefore, the length of time to be considered de facto is two years. However, if there are children or substantial contributions to joint property, exceptions are made to this rule.
What we spend less time thinking about is when a boyfriend or girlfriend becomes a 'partner' – or if they ever do. 'Partner' suggests something somewhat more serious – someone you're not married to (or even intending to marry), but a step up from a boyfriend or girlfriend, which can sound a little more casual.
Together - but living apart
Couples should keep in mind that they do not necessarily have to have been living together on a full time basis (or even a half time basis) for the Court to consider them as being in a de facto relationship.
De facto couples might have trouble being seen as a family unit, face prejudices when renting homes, or even be mistreated at social or community events. Also, this lack of recognition can worsen when big things happen, like having a baby or a family emergency, which could make the emotional burden even heavier.
What is cohabitation? Living together with someone is also sometimes called 'cohabitation'. A cohabiting couple is a couple that lives together in an intimate and committed relationship, who are not married to each other and not in a civil partnership. Cohabiting couples can be opposite-sex or same-sex.
What are you entitled to in a defacto relationship? You may be entitled to a share of the contributions made by you and your partner before or during the relationship and any future needs you may have going forward.
Once you've reached the six-month mark in your relationship, you know how serious you are about your partner and vice versa. Either the six months have made you realize that you want to be with this person and become exclusive partners or that something just isn't working and part ways.
De facto relationship entitlements in a breakup
You can think about it as being similar to getting a divorce if you were married. Entitlements can include claims on property, savings, assets, and superannuation. The laws for a de facto relationship mean that joint assets can be pooled together and divided.
There are no set rules about how often or how long someone can stay. Some people think there is a limit of 3 nights a week. This is not true. But if the DWP thinks someone has started living with you, this could affect your benefits.
If you can't do it online, download and complete the Separation details form. You don't need your ex-partner to complete their part of the form. Remember to sign it before you submit it with your supporting documents. If your Centrelink online account is linked to myGov, sign in now to upload your form and documents.
Single parents, of whom 91 per cent are women, with two children will be able to earn up to $251.80 and still receive the full fortnightly payment of $922.10. A single parent with one child will be able to earn up to $2646.95 before the payment cuts out altogether, against $2622.35 under the current scheme.