How to make sure you still get Centrelink payments while travelling overseas
Centrelink has issued a warning to any customers planning an overseas trip, saying those who do not meet qualification rules while travelling could have their payments cut off.
The rules for travelling, which were updated on July 1, state that you need to keep in touch with Services Australia before, during and after you head overseas.
Different rules will affect different Centrelink customers depending on the payment they receive.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.“When you leave Australia we may adjust or stop your payment or concession card based on these rules,” Centrelink says.
Before you travel
Before you head off on your trip, make sure your Centrelink account is linked to MyGov. That way you can access any updates to your account, including letters from Centrelink, electronically.
You also need to report your income before you leave, even if you or your partner’s reporting date falls on a date after you leave Australia.
And if you’re heading overseas to visit your partner but earn a Centrelink allowance as a single person, get in touch before you leave so that they can determine that they’re paying you the right amount.
Oh, and if you’re thinking about trying to get away without telling Centrelink when you leave the country, don’t bother — the Federal immigration department tells them when you leave and when you return home anyway.
While you’re travelling
While you’re overseas, it’s important to let Centrelink know if your financial circumstances change, or if you receive employment income — just like you would if you were in Australia.
“If we can’t get in touch with you while you’re outside Australia, we may stop your payment or concession card,” Centrelink says.
Your payments can continue while you’re outside Australia if you meet the qualification rules.
If you’re travelling for fewer than 12 months, Centrelink will continue to deposit your payment every two weeks into your Australian bank account.
If your trip is due to take longer than 12 months, Centrelink will deposit your payment into an Australian or overseas bank account every four weeks.
If you have organised with Centrelink for your payments to be deposited in an overseas account, these will be paid either in the local currency or US dollars, depending on where you are.
The Reserve Bank of Australia dictates the exchange rate and payments may take anywhere from two to six days to drop into your account.
If your payment stops while you’re overseas, you usually can’t get it reinstated unless you’re back in the country. Payments can be extended if unexpected issues, such as serious illness or natural disasters arise.
Contact Centrelink International Services to find out if your payment can continue while you’re overseas.
When you get home
Most of the time you won’t need to inform Centrelink once you return to Australia.
The only times you will need to get in touch will be if
- Your payment or concession stops while overseas and doesn’t automatically resume on your return home;
- You’re returning to Australia after having lived outside Australia; or
- You haven’t provided evidence of your reason for travel yet.
Which payments are affected by travel
- ABSTUDY Fares Allowance
- ABSTUDY Living Allowance
- ABSTUDY School Term Allowance
- Age Pension
- Assistance for Isolated Children Scheme
- Austudy
- Carer Allowance
- Carer Payment
- Child Care Subsidy
- Commonwealth Seniors Health Card
- Disability Support Pension
- Double Orphan Pension
- Essential Medical Equipment Payment
- Ex-Carer Allowance Health Care Card
- Family Tax Benefit
- Farm Household Allowance
- Foster Child Health Care Card
- Health Care Card
- JobSeeker Payment
- Low Income Health Care Card
- Mobility Allowance
- Newborn Upfront Payment and Newborn Supplement
- Parental Leave Pay for a child born or adopted before 1 July 2023
- Parental Leave Pay for a child born or adopted from 1 July 2023
- Parenting Payment
- Pension Supplement
- Pensioner Concession Card
- Pensioner Education Supplement
- Pharmaceutical Allowance
- Remote Area Allowance
- Rent Assistance
- Special Benefit
- Telephone Allowance
- Utilities Allowance
- Youth Allowance for job seekers
- Youth Allowance for students and apprentices
Check out this page on the Centrelink website for further information on receiving payments while you travel.
