How it works. As you probably know, Centrelink need to know your income and assets details to work out your benefit payments. So if your circumstances change – perhaps you receive a lump sum payment or your relationship status changes, you need to let Centrelink know.
Centrelink has very broad powers to demand information from any individual or organisation. 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.
If you don't tell us, it may affect your payment. You may need to pay back money we've paid you. If you're dishonest in order to get a payment, you're committing welfare fraud. Read more about how to avoid committing fraud.
If you don't report income regularly, you need to tell us about any income you're paid within 14 days of being paid. If you report income regularly, you need to submit your report on or after your reporting date so we can assess you for your regular payment.
Reporting your income
If you don't report every 2 weeks, your payment will stop. We'll tell you which dates you must report on and when your income reporting will start. If you report late, your payment will be late. If your Centrelink online account is linked to myGov, sign in now to report your income.
Usually you can correct the error and try to e-file again. IRS.gov has a tool to walk you through common rejections. If you make the correction and the IRS still rejects the return, you can send it to the IRS by mail. (For more information about e-filing, see Free File Options.)
If you get DSP, you can have paid work up to 29 hours a week. You can do this without losing your DSP payment providing you meet the income test.
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.
You can meet your mutual obligation requirements through any of these: 30 hours per fortnight of approved voluntary work. 30 hours per fortnight of suitable paid work where the income is equal to or more than the minimum wage.
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.
You can request a Statement of Debt for any 5 year period going back to 1998. You can make more than one request.
Centrelink has very wide powers to thoroughly investigate deposits that have been made into your account. For example, it has the power to obtain your information from other government agencies as well as accessing information from banks, building societies and credit union accounts.
We pass approximately 100,000 records to Centrelink each week. Around 12% of these are found to be Centrelink clients. ATO data is provided under table item 1 in table 1 in section 355-65 of Schedule 1 to the Taxation Administration Act 1953 (TAA).
On 1 February 2022, the Federal Government announced aged care workers would be eligible to receive a bonus payment of up to $800.
The Tertiary Access Payment is a payment of $3,000 or $5,000. How much you can get depends on where your family home is located. Complete the following steps to claim the Tertiary Access Payment from us.
The Carer Supplement is an annual payment of $600 which is attached to each Carer Allowance. The Supplement is paid in July each year.
If you need to change details of your claim after you have submitted it, please Contact Us. You do not need to complete another claim. After you claim a payment or concession card, you must tell Centrelink within 14 days of any event or change in circumstances that could affect your Centrelink entitlements or payments.
Generally, you must include in gross income everything you receive in payment for personal services. In addition to wages, salaries, commissions, fees, and tips, this includes other forms of compensation such as fringe benefits and stock options.
What happens if you get audited and owe money? If you get audited by the IRS and owe money, you'll be notified of the additional tax that you're required to pay as well as any penalties and interest due. The correspondence that you receive from the IRS will mention a deadline by which you must pay.
Losing your job can be stressful. We have a range of income support payments that can help. There are 2 main payments: JobSeeker Payment if you're 22 or older and looking for work.
your income is less than $1,232.84 each fortnight. your partner's income is less than $2,298.17 each fortnight. your combined income is less than $2,465.84 each fortnight.
Payment rates
If you're dependent, the parental means test will apply. If your parents or guardians earn too much, you won't be able to get a payment.
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.
Having them ready will help you finish your claim and not delay the process. 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.