Centrelink Indexation and Updating Your Circumstances for Increased Payments

What is Centrelink Indexation?

Centrelink payments are adjusted regularly through a process called indexation. This ensures that your payments keep pace with the cost of living by aligning them with inflation rates. Typically, indexation occurs twice a year—on 1 March and 1 September—based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and other economic factors.

Payments affected by indexation include:

• JobSeeker Payment
• Disability Support Pension
• Parenting Payment
• Youth Allowance
• Age Pension

Indexation helps maintain the purchasing power of these payments, ensuring financial support remains relevant to the current economic climate.

Why You Should Update Your Circumstances

Even with regular indexation, updating your personal details with Centrelink is crucial to ensure you’re receiving the correct amount of support. Changes in your circumstances—such as income, living arrangements, or family situation—can directly affect your payments.

1. Changes in Income

If your income increases or decreases, it may affect the level of assistance you’re entitled to. Failing to report income changes could lead to overpayment (which you’ll need to repay) or underpayment.

2. Living and Family Changes

Moving house, sharing accommodation, or changes in your relationship status can also impact your payments. Similarly, having a child or changes to dependents may result in higher entitlements.

3. Health and Disability Changes

If your health condition improves or worsens, updating Centrelink is essential, especially if you’re receiving a disability support payment. Any changes could lead to an increase (or decrease) in your support.

Why It Matters

Keeping Centrelink informed about changes to your circumstances could result in higher payments, ensuring you’re not underpaid or overpaid. Regular updates also prevent unexpected issues such as having to repay overpaid funds.

When to Expect Changes

Once you update your details, Centrelink typically reviews your situation and adjusts your payments accordingly. This can take a few weeks, but you should see any increases or adjustments soon after.

How to update your details:
To keep your information current, simply log in to MyGov or contact Centrelink directly. For assistance, you can also reach them through their official website here: Phone us – Accessing our services – Services Australia