As the autumn leaves begin to fall and we prepare for the reflective period of Easter and the commemorative Anzac Day, it’s important for our members to be aware of the upcoming changes to Centrelink services. These changes could have a significant impact on when you receive your payments, and it’s essential to be prepared to avoid any financial inconvenience.
Services Australia has announced that Centrelink service centres and most call centres will be taking a break over the Easter period and Anzac Day. This year, with the public holidays falling close together, it’s particularly important to note the dates and plan accordingly.
Centrelink’s closures are scheduled for the following dates:
- Good Friday – April 18
- Easter Monday – April 21
- Anzac Day (Friday) – April 25
During these closures, you won’t be able to visit Centrelink sites or reach call centres, which means you’ll need to be proactive about your payments and reporting periods.
‘We want to help you plan so you still get paid,’ a statement from Services Australia reads. This is a gentle reminder that it’s up to us to ensure we’re ahead of the game.
For many, this will mean reporting income early. Centrelink has made it clear that they may issue payments in advance to accommodate the holiday schedule. It’s crucial to check your Centrelink online account, as it will display any new reporting dates for the Easter and Anzac reporting periods.
The changes will affect a range of payments, including Austudy, Farm Household Allowance, JobSeeker Payment, Special Benefit, Status Resolution Support Services Payment, and Youth Allowance.
What should you do to ensure your payments are uninterrupted? If your account indicates that you need to report your income early, you’ll need to estimate and report what you expect to earn for the new reporting period. This also applies to any other changes that might affect your payment. By doing so, you can receive your payment before the public holiday closures.
If you make a mistake in your reporting, don’t fret—you have 14 days to correct it. Alternatively, you can wait until your next reporting period to update the details.
For those who report income on Good Friday, Easter Monday, or Anzac Day, payments will be processed after those dates. However, if you’re unsure of your employment income or if there are changes in your circumstances during your reporting period, you can choose to report after your allocated period.
For individuals who don’t need to report income to receive payments, there’s good news: you might receive your payment before the public holidays. ‘We won’t delay payments because of a public holiday, but we may pay you earlier than normal,’ Services Australia assures.
When an early payment is made, it’s designed to be as close to and before your normal payment day as possible. This means you’ll need to budget carefully, as this payment will need to last until your next payment day.
As these changes take effect over the Easter and Anzac Day period, staying informed and planning can help minimise any inconvenience. We encourage you to mark these dates on your calendar and take the necessary steps to ensure your payments are not affected. If you have any concerns or questions, it’s best to contact Centrelink before the closures to get the clarity you need.
How do you prepare for payment schedule changes during public holidays? Have you encountered any challenges in the past? Feel free to share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.
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