Yahoo Finance Centrelink warning: 'Your reporting and payment dates may change'
Services Australia has flagged upcoming changes ahead of the Australia Day holiday.
Centrelink offices will be closed this Thursday for Australia Day and recipients may need to report their income early to ensure they are paid.
“This Thursday, 26 January, is a public holiday. Your local service centre and most phone lines will be closed on this date,” Services Australia said.
“Your reporting and payment dates may also change and we may pay you early.”
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While the physical offices will be shut, Aussies can still use their Centrelink online account through myGov. However, if you report your income on Australia Day, Services Australia said you will be paid after the public holiday.
What are the deadlines?
If you would normally report your income on Thursday, January 26, you would need to report it by Wednesday, January 25 instead. If you are receiving JobSeeker, your revised payment date will be Friday, January 27. If you are receiving the Age Pension, it will be Monday, January 30.
If you would normally report your income on Wednesday, January 25, you would need to report it by Tuesday, January 24. If you are receiving JobSeeker, your revised payment date will be Wednesday, January 25. If you are receiving the Age Pension it will be Friday, January 27.
What do I need to include?
If you reported your income early, Services Australia said you would need to include what you expected to be paid for the full period.
“You must also do this for any other changes that may affect your payment. If you make a mistake, you can correct your report within 14 days, or when you next report,” Services Australia said.
If you reported after your assessment period, Services Australia said it would pay you after you reported to them.
You can find out more information on the Services Australia website.
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