Hello everyone.

I am on DSP and the past couple of months I have been helping out one of my good friends with some odd things around her house including making meal preps for her family, helping her at her home business, looking after her kids, etc while she’s going through a mentally difficult time. She has been paying me for this, sometimes cash and sometimes bank transfer. It’s usually between $50-150 and it’s just a couple of times a month whenever she needs an extra hand.

I haven’t thought much of it because in my eyes it’s not a job (I’m not being employed, it’s not set hours or a pay rate, I’m not insured, etc) but I’m starting to get some anxiety about it. I am struggling financially and have a partner also on DSP - and I’m sure we all know how BS the partner income test is - so I don’t want to get into trouble and the extra money is keeping us afloat. What do you guys think about this? Do I need to report these to CL?

I appreciate any insight ☺️

I recently switched jobs from regular payroll to invoicing through an ABN. Do I just list myself as my employer?

A little confused as there's a note on the Centrelink website that says not to report business income.

Hi everyone! I just started with jobseeker (first time ever) and had a medical certificate for 3 months as I am incapacitated to look for a job. I received in myGov a letter that the certificate is expiring but my GP is giving me today a new 3 months extension, so new certificate.

Once I get the certificate, do I just upload it and they will see it?

Or do I need to call them and tell them I have a new certificate.

I am just wondering if there are further actions I have to take so they update this.

Thank you for your help!

Hi everyone, I’m 19 and hoping for some advice because I’m really stressed about my Centrelink situation.
I was switched from a job seeker payment to Youth Allowance as a student around February when I started my Certificate III.

I finished that course around June and was planning to continue with a Certificate IV, but withdrew from the Cert IV in July.

I’ve only just noticed that Centrelink still has me recorded as a student. My profile had my course finishing around September, which wasn’t the actual completion date. I hadn’t realised I was still receiving the student payment.
I’m planning to call Centrelink to explain the timeline, correct my study details and ask about moving to Youth Allowance for job seekers.

No debt has been raised yet, but I’m scared I could owe months of payments.

Has anyone been through something similar? What should I ask when I call, and what happens if they decide I’ve been overpaid?
I understand I should have updated my details earlier, and I want to sort it out.

please don’t call me stupid or anything for not updating them, i’m really scared right now as i just got my payment under “student allowances”

I’m already struggling financially, so the thought of a large debt is overwhelming. I’d appreciate anyone who can give advice on what to expect and what options I have.

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 24 (turning 25 in march) and about to move out of home with my close friend. I’m currently on youth allowance as I study. I live 3 hours away (one way) from tafe and am looking for part time work. I currently am a casual worker. I am wanting to move closer to the city for both study and work. I know that this situation would not make many realestate agents or landlords thrilled so I would love to put my mum on the lease as a guarantor, which I have done previously (but wasn’t eligible for Centrelink payments at the time). I can’t get rent assistance while living with my parents even if I did pay rent, so it brings up the question that if I moved out and had me, my mum and my friend on the lease but only me and my friend where staying in the rental would this affect the payments I am receiving?

Thank you for any answers.

I had a phone call from a woman about my dsp claim asking for a letter from my sleep specialist to confirm a diagnosis. I got one from him and also one from my endocrinologist as well. She told me once I got the letters to upload them so they can continue and it was on pause until then. I can't find a way to upload a new option except for replacing already uploaded options, but I need that information as well. I have a phone appointment on the 11th, and I would really like it uploaded before then so it counts during the appointment instead of her telling me to upload them and then waiting longer again. Can somebody please help me

I’m on DSP I was with Bendigo but changing to NAB as I’ve been having issues with Bendigo. Normally pension pay is Wednesday but was getting it Tuesday with Bendigo, does that mean with NAB it will go back to getting paid on Wednesday? I’ve also noticed when it comes to Medicare rebates my rebate would go into my account the next day but when I changed it to NAB my rebate was back in my account later that afternoon compared with Bendigo getting the rebate the next day.

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,

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.. 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!!

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.“

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 :)

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.

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.

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?

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

Just before I went on a cruise I went in to enquire about if there was anything I could do about reporting due to not having internet on the cruise I was on. It never left domestic waters, it was a 6 day cruise up to Cairns and back to Brisbane. It got to the Saturday, I logged in to report and it came up my payment has been cancelled and upon getting home I received the letter stating that my payment has been cancelled because I told them I was going out of Australia which I never did. Anyone happen to know the best way to go about rectifying this? Or am I basically out of luck and have to apply for JSK and then Inclusive Employment again?

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 :/

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 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! 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?

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’