Yahoo Finance ‘Avoid delays’: Aussies reminded of Centrelink payment date changes
Services Australia hours will change over the Christmas and New Year period, with customers who receive Centrelink and child support payments reminded to prepare.
Service centres will close on the public holidays that fall on Monday 27, Tuesday 28 and Wednesday 29, December, 2021, along with Monday 3 January, 2022.
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Most phone lines providing Medicare, Child Support and Centrelink services will also be closed on those dates.
“During the busy holiday period, the easiest and most convenient way to do your business with us is by using your online account through myGov, the Express Plus mobile apps, or phone self-service,” Services Australia general manager Hank Jongen said.
“These services are available 24/7, even on public holidays. This means you can use myGov to apply for an advance payment, update your details, lodge a Medicare claim, or report your employment income.”
Reporting date changes
He added that Centrelink payment recipients may also see their reporting and payment dates change if they fell on a public holiday.
“If the date you normally report falls on a public holiday during this period, you can report early to avoid any delays in your payments,” Jongen said.
“If you are working and receive employment income, you’ll need to tell us what you expect to be paid for the full assessment period. You must also do this for any other changes that may affect your payment.”
People who choose to report early over this assessment period will need to include the income they expect to be paid over that period. If they make a mistake, it can be corrected within 14 days or in the next report.
These are the new reporting and payment dates:
Date report normally due | Date you can report | Revised payment date | Next normal payment date |
Wednesday 22 December 2021 | Tuesday 21 December 2021 | Wednesday 22 December 2021 | Thursday 6 January 2022 |
Thursday 23 December 2021 | Wednesday 22 December 2021 | Thursday 23 December 2021 | Friday 7 January 2022 |
Friday 24 December 2021 | Wednesday 22 December 2021 | Thursday 23 December 2021 | Monday 10 January 2022 |
Monday 27 December 2021 | Thursday 23 December 2021 | Friday 24 December 2021 | Tuesday 11 January 2022 |
Tuesday 28 December 2021 | Friday 24 December 2021 | Wednesday 29 December 2021 | Wednesday 12 January 2022 |
Wednesday 29 December 2021 | Friday 24 December 2021 | Wednesday 29 December 2021 | Thursday 13 January 2022 |
Thursday 30 December 2021 | Wednesday 29 December 2021 | Thursday 30 December 2021 | Friday 14 January 2022 |
Friday 31 December 2021 | Thursday 30 December 2021 | Friday 31 December 2021 | Monday 17 January 2022 |
Monday 3 January 2022 | Friday 31 December 2021 | Tuesday 4 January 2022 | Tuesday 18 January 2022 |
“You can still report to us, even when we’re closed. However, if you do this on a public holiday, it means you won’t get your payment until after the public holiday,” Jongen added.
“Keep in mind that any automatic payments we make won’t be delayed by the public holidays, but some people might get their payment earlier than usual. This means you may need to budget carefully until your next payment.”
Customers can also claim Medicare benefits at their doctor’s office or using the self-service portal, while BasicsCard customers can use the self-service portal to transfer funds, or they can call 1800 132 594.
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