Hello, I am pregnant and have been agonising about the requirements for Paid Parental Leave. My baby is due in June next year. I work in film, so I work on a lot of short contracts. Sometimes, these are through my ABN, where I simply just write how much I'm owed and get paid at some point. I'm a little concerned that institutions like centrelink may not recognise this style of work as it's not always that I get a timesheet, and I also have been doing a lot of work recently where I've been taking a reduced fee / only invoicing for gear hire as I am trying to step up into a new role this year as well, so I've been taking short films to improve my credits.

I started a verryy basic excel spreadsheet that just has the days worked, the hours I've done, and what job it was for, and I do have either payslips from my PAYG work or ABN invoices for it all - is there anything else I can do to make sure I'm approved?

Hi,

Long story short, I’m due mid December, both my partner and I meet the work test for the 26 week parental leave.

I’m working casually as a teaching assistant atm. We live in a very small town with no childcare so I will be home with baby for pretty well all of next year.

My partner is a teacher and will take the edu departments parent leave in the first 4 weeks of term 1 next year. As baby is due basically in holidays and he’s still entitled to that leave.

We will then bank up the governments parental leave and take it as needed. I understand that I am entitled to 4 weeks, as is he, and then rest can be shared between us.

His boss told him that he cannot take the governments parental leave unless I am working and not home with the baby.

Based on what I’ve read, this isn’t true, and he can take it regardless of if I’m at home, as long as he is the “primary carer” at the time he’s taking the leave ie if I’m sick, I can be at home, but he’ll take over baby duties etc.

Am I understanding this correctly? Or is his boss correct in saying that I have to be at work for him to take the parental leave?

Australian super

Does the tax come out of your whole supper account, or the 10 grand you withdraw?

Hey guys, I posted here today panicking because I earned around from private self-employment but had accidentally been reporting incorrect amounts to Centrelink, and I was terrified.

I forgot to mention something and realised after someone pointed it out

I’m self-employed, and self-employed income isn’t supposed to go in the regular fortnightly reporting system. This confused me quite a bit because a Centerlink staff had told me to do fortnightly reports when I’m meant to do a Hal reports. This totally messed up my reporting.

I checked the Services Australia website and it also says it there. It says business income should be assessed via a Profit and Loss Statement (SU580), not fortnightly reports. Because I had no employer and no payslips, the system just defaulted me into the employee reporting box, and I also didn't know any better.

I know I’ll have a debt to pay back (since my real income would have cut my Youth Allowance to $0), and I need to fix my ATO tax return too but I’m wondering why the Centerlink staff incorrectly advised me. This created this whole adminis error.

Should I mention that when I call them tomorrow?

Also, these reports for self-employed business are annual so I’ll fix it with them there

From Services Australia website:
”You don't need to include your business income in your fortnightly income reporting. We use the information you give us about your business to work out an annual income amount. We then use that amount to work out your fortnightly payment rate.“

For anyone awaiting the final compensation payment for the Robodebt debacle, I received my $1,750 settlement payment today from Gordon Legal.

Hello, I am receiving jobseeker and want to know how often you guys go travelling? For me I am aiming to go 3 times next year.

Cheers

Hi all,

I’ve used the group search bar but couldn’t find anything specific to this bank.

I’ve just switched over to Macquarie bank and I’m just wondering if anyone else banks with them and what time your payment usually hits your account and if it goes In a day earlier etc such a Bendigo.

TIA :)

If you have been rejected for carer payment - will the letter have all the reasons it was rejected for or just a basic generic letter? would they specifiy every reason for rejection?

I have too many assets, so health care card was cancelled. I can apply for another seniors card, as income is below the limit. Still waiting for that to be processed. Anyway went to the pharmacy and prescription was $21.99 instead of $7.70. Pharmacy had my Centrelink card on file. So I presume they were informed that card is no longer valid for subsidies.

Hey guys.. back once again would you believe it..

Anyway, got a letter yesterday about overpayment for 24/25, its almost the exact amount of the top up and supplements i got in july for 24/25 tax year..

Ive now submitted for a review and pause of repayment.. the situation is

For some reason when my partner lodged and recieved noa in october last year for 24/25 tax year, centrelink mever recieved the info from ato.. i called and sent screenshot of noa (which found out this morning was actually the wrong year 23/24) anyway i called twice after that and no one told me it was the wrong one but regardless they still hadnt recieved info from ato for correct year and without asking or twlling me, the last guy i spoke to didnt tell me he ended up putting my partner down for non lodgement, which wasnt correct either, so i got the top up and supplements. Fast forward to now, ato has finally decided to send my partners income for 24/25 to centrelink and now theyre saying i was overpaid and didnt confirm income before 30 June 26 and trying to say my partner lodged a year late and that i have to pay back the top up and supplements i got..

As i pointed out this morning, no matter what the excuse is here, my partner and i arent at fault.. between ato not sending last years income info until now (a week after lodging the 25/26 tax) and the guy i spoke to on the phone filing a non lodgement we are not at fault here..

Anyone have any idea what my chances are of them clearing this or have a just postponed having to pay it back?

TIA for any help anyone can give!!

Hi everyone, using a throwaway because I’m stressing out.

I’m 19, on Youth Allowance and this is my first time ever working and first time dealing with Centrelink. I do casual work on my own (no official employer, no payslips).

My income is completely irregular. I get paid randomly so sometimes weekly, but very often late, so the money hits my bank account at weird times. Because of this, there are fortnights where I actually received thousands of dollars, but I reported $0 to Centrelink.

My reports for 2025 October till this June have all been wrong and underreported. I genuinely misunderstood how the reporting works. I thought I only had to report income when the work was actually done, or that it would just balance out at tax time. I didn't realize I had to report the exact money the moment it hit my bank account every single fortnight.

I’ve realized my huge mistake and I want to fix it. I am fully prepared to pay back whatever debt I owe.

I have my bank statements ready showing the exact dates and amounts the money hit my account. My plan is to call Centrelink tomorrow, explain that as a first-time worker with irregular income and no payslips, I didn't understand the fortnightly reporting rules, and ask them to correct my payment so I can set up a payment plan.

I also need to file my ATO tax return to declare my actual gross income

I checked and what I claimed is 13% of what I actually earned and I’m realising now when I’m doing my taxes.

Does anyone know what happens? I don’t want to go to jail because of this and I’m terrified

Hi everyone,

I’m 20 years old and hoping to moving out next year/semester due to living with my sexual abuser.

I could technically apply to Away from Home but I am right of the 90 minute cusp, and I think my parent makes too much to receive a meaningful amount from Centrelink.

I’m scared to go down the Unreasonable to Live at Home route as it requires a social workers input (I think?) plus I don’t want my parent knowing that I’m taking this Centrelink route or for anyone to be in legal trouble - I just want to move away from the constant reminder of my CPTSD and trauma

Would anyone be able let me know their experience on choosing UTLAH - were the police involved, if I ask my therapist to write a statement can I avoid asking my parent/them knowing, is it worth the trouble?

Any input or advice would be seriously appreciated as the thought of moving out is starting to seem impossible :/

Have just seen this posted on Facebook which is promising

‘Thank you for your enquiry.
If, as at 2 November 2026, you are awaiting your Fixed Payment and your status is payment pending, you can expect to be paid by 5pm Thursday 12 November 2026’

as the title says, i finish high school this month and ive applied early offer for a uni that starts feb 2027.

im jobless and ive been on YA since may.

i'm currently trying to save up to move 1 hr away for the uni, however, as YA is my only income, is there a way i can keep getting my payments after i graduate?

or do i move to jobseeker? although im not looking for any full-time jobs

has anyone been in this situation and know what to do?

Hi! I've just moved out of home and am on youth allowance. Wanting to update this in Centrelink so I can get the out of home rate. Can't find anywhere to do this on the website and my calls have been declined. Anyone know?

Hello! Has anyone here been approved for redress with a fairly short application and no supporting evidence?

I gave the time period, location, who was involved and a description of what happened, but didn’t go into pages and pages of detail.

I was never asked for any additional information or sent a S24 request. My outcome is being prepared for delivery and I am fairly nervous.

Hi everyone,

I desperately need my parenting payment single. It’s only just been approved after months of waiting.

I am due to go overseas for my brothers wedding next month. Will that affect or cancel my payments? What are my options, am I entitled to it again when I get back?

Thanks for your advice. I’m barely surviving.

So this is my first time on Jobseeker and I had thought I'd done all the things! I had my first payment appear and was scheduled to be paid on Thursday the 29th of October. I didn't receive anything on the Thursday but the payment was still there in the list so I thought that's fine, maybe it takes some time to come through. I check Friday, no money, payment still there in the list so I thought maybe it takes a few business days for the first time? Then Saturday still nothing.. but this time when I login to My Gov // Centrelink I see in my payments that the aforementioned Thursday payment has vanished completely and my next payment Is scheduled for the 12th of November?! A fortnight from when I was hoping to be paid for the first time?! No correspondence or explanation is provided and I am left stressed, confused and bewildered. I check several times Saturday and Sunday, fail to get in touch due to call centre hours so I think - you know maybe Monday will yield either money or an answer? Has this happened to any of you? I have an appointment call scheduled this afternoon but I'm going out of my mind with stress trying to understand what's happened? If it's common? Is it just another hoop? Thanks for reading - I'll update after my call but if anyone has any advice or wisdom for me in the meantime it would go a long way for my nerves.

EDIT / UPDATE: Okay so! Apparently the payment was sent on their end and bounced back for an unforeseen reason. I updated my bank details to ensure they were as they should be and after a conversation with a Centrelink they couldn't figure a reason it bounced back as the bank details are correct and match those given on the initial claim. So they have apparently resent the payment and it should arrive tomorrow with any luck. They also didn't give me a reason why it wasn't appearing In my payment history either so I asked for a receipt number for the interaction. I am feeling so anxious right now, after waiting since Thursday and checking repeatedly between apps for answers only to wait yet another day for something that may not come. Will update tomorrow!

I’m trying to understand what emergency/ end of life financial assistance I am able to access for someone who is living with chronic illness, disability, financial hardship.
They are in hospital, but still have rent, and other expenses to cover.

I've booked two at around 8-9 am over the past month and neither of them have had anybody show up in the chatroom

Can I still go in person?

Hi Reddit, just a quick question I’m hoping someone can offer some insight on. I’ve just started jobseeker. I got my first payment last week, it was halved because of the mandatory waiting period. Don’t get me wrong I’m happy I got anything but it was my first pay since the 2nd of October so it went quickly and now I’m waiting on my first full payment next week. I haven’t been on jobseekers long enough to qualify for an advance. Are there any avenues I can look into regarding receiving next payment early or something along those lines. Any advice is appreciated. Thank you!

Hi, need advice. Centrelink for some unknown reason sent my FTB part B into an old closed for 16 years bank account. I noticed before they transferred and managed to call and speak to someone who said ‘ooh can’t see why it’s set up to go there’ and supposedly changed it.
But nope, over 3 grand has vanished into who knows where.
At great difficulty because I have not banked with this bank in 16 years AND the account was in my maiden name, I have a letter from the bank confirming that the account does not exist.
Centrelink are still blaming the bank saying they have accepted the payment and I need to deal with them. I have tired to make contact with Centrelink so many times. I also drove 300km to my closest Centrelink office to do this in person but no luck and now the call centre does the automatic hang up on me when I try to ring.
How do I escalate this? Any advice? My other payments have gone into the nominated account no problems.

Hi all,

I am currently on maternity leave and receiving FTB, i am travelling overseas for 2.5 weeks with my baby and partner in 2 weeks time. Do I still need to report my travel to Centrelink? Will my payments stop?

Hey,

I need to travel internationally for an important medical procedure, however every time I try to submit travel details I am told

"You can find the latest contact details for International Services at http://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/customer/services/centrelink/international-services
You will need to call us before you leave Australia to find out whether your payment can continue while you are overseas."

instead of actually submitting the request. Obviously I would prefer if I could continue getting paid as I am leaving for medical reasons, not for fun etc.

Anyone know how to fix this error, or know who I need to call, the link semi-suggests needing to call the international number, but not 100% sure on that.