How Centrelink knows your assets without you telling them. Centrelink has multiple data-sharing agreements with government organisations like the ATO, Medicare, PayG and more. This helps them to maintain a view of your assets, and in certain circumstances they may apply additional scrutiny to individuals.
There are limits to how much you can have. We call these the assets test limits. The Department of Social Services reviews these limits and cut off points in January, March, July and September each year. Your assets include any property or possessions you own in full, in part, or have an interest in.
The value of your assets is what you'd get if you sold them at market value. We'll deduct any debt you owe that your asset is security for, from its market value. If you got an unsecured loan specifically to buy the asset, we may also deduct this loan from the value of the asset.
Bank interest reviews. We check your bank account information is up to date. We do this to check we paid you the right payment and amount in the past.
The liquid assets waiting period is between 1 and 13 weeks. It applies if you have funds equal to or more than either: $5,500 if you're single with no dependants. $11,000 if have a partner or you're single with dependants.
You have savings or other money
If you or your partner have liquid assets over certain limits, you may have to wait 1 to 13 weeks. Liquid assets are any funds readily available to you or your partner. This includes money owed by your or your partner's employer.
For your Special Benefit claim you must provide bank statements for the last 3 months for all accounts you have. This includes any overseas accounts. If you have a partner, we'll also require bank statements for all accounts held by them. You'll also need to confirm your identity and provide a tax file number.
You can request a Statement of Debt for any 5 year period going back to 1998. You can make more than one request.
Once Centrelink has suspected a person has committed a Centrelink fraud, in conjunction with the Australian Federal Police (AFP), they may first invite the person for an interview or go to their house for investigation. Alternatively, they will launch an investigation into the matter without notice to the person.
The easiest way to update your bank details is by using your Centrelink online account or the Express Plus Centrelink mobile app. If you have a Veteran Gold Card, you'll need to call us on 132 300 to update your bank details.
For example, they can require your bank or your employer to give details of your financial transactions, or any other personal details that are relevant to your Centrelink entitlements. They also routinely match their records with other organisations including the tax office. This is called data matching.
The Work Bonus income bank is useful for pensioners who wish to work, particularly those who undertake intermittent or occasional work. Note: from 1 December 2022 to 31 December 2023, a one-off, temporary credit of $4,000 applies to Work Bonus income bank balances.
The financial document requirements for Centrelink recipients are a Centrelink statement and 3 months of recent bank statements for all accounts. Clients who are employed need to supply 3 months of bank statements for all accounts and a recent pay slip or letter from their employer stating what their current salary is.
Centrelink will investigate if they suspect you have received unentitled payments. Once Centrelink decide to investigate, Centrelink can require your bank or employer to disclose your financial details relevant to Centrelink purposes. This process can take week to months.
We may select you at random to review your payment details. We may review your and your partner's details if you get one of the following payments: ABSTUDY. Age Pension.
Centrelink do not normally tell you if they are investigating you. The initial phases of their investigation will be discreetly conducted by cross checking your financial information from your bank, ATO and even employer.
“Centrelink has contracted optical surveillance services from 21 investigation agencies across Australia, to help them collect evidence of people suspected of serious welfare fraud,” Mr Anthony said.
Welfare fraud may include when people do any of the following: claim a welfare payment or service using a false identity or someone else's identity. give us false or misleading information such as reporting less income than they earned. don't give us information about something such as assets or income they've earned.
Not reporting your full income – The ATO looks at your full income, which may include bank interest, dividends, trust distributions, and other sources. You need to account for all of your income on your tax return, not just your salary or wage. Fail to do so, and you could trigger an audit.
If you have defrauded Centrelink, you may be charged under section 134.2 – obtaining a financial advantage by deception. If you are found guilty, the maximum penalty is 10 years imprisonment. You may instead, or also, receive a fine between $10,000 and $100,000 and be made to repay the benefit to Centrelink.
We exchange data with Services Australia programs such as Centrelink and the Child Support Program, as well as other government agencies under separate legislative provisions, as detailed here.
It's important to remember that if you do receive winnings, either as a lump sum or periodic payments, you need to let Services Australia know. You can tell us about your changes online, using your Centrelink account through myGov or on your Express Plus Centrelink app.
If you or your partner gift money, income or assets, we may assess it in your income and assets tests. Before you or your partner make a gift, contact us to check if it will change your payment. You should call your regular payment line.
Only the account holder has the right to access their bank account. If you have a joint bank account, you both own the account and have access to the funds. But in the case of a personal bank account, your spouse has no legal right to access it.