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Employment Separation Certificates (ESCs)

ESCs provide important information that allows us to ensure that the right people are paid the right amount from the correct date.

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Your role

Centrelink or a former employee may ask you to complete an ESC. You need to complete the ESC within 14 days, and then:

  • hand it back to the former employee, or
  • forward it directly to our Business Hotline fax number: 13 2115.

The information you provide on the ESC is confidential. We cannot currently accept the return of this form, or any other confidential information, via the internet.

We recommend you keep a copy of the ESC for your own records.

How to get copies of the ESC

To get copies of the ESC you can:

  • download the form and make photocopies
  • order them through our Business Hotline, or
  • ask for a copy to be faxed to you.

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Freedom of Information (FOI) and the ESC

All the information contained in, or attached to, the ESC may be subject to release under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 to any person(s) (including those named in either the reports or its attachments).

If you want any of this information treated in confidence, please attach a statement indicating which information, and give your reasons. This will be considered if a request is made under the FOI Act.

Centrelink's authority to obtain this information

Our authority to obtain information from employers is given under section 192 of the Social Security Act 1999. We use this information to ensure that our customers receive the correct payments.

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Frequently asked questions about ESCs

  1. Can I supply this information in another way?
  2. Who can sign the ESC?
  3. My employee has not been terminated. Should I complete the ESC?
  4. What if the reason for termination does not fit the options on the form?
  5. What is meant by "cashed in leave entitlements"?
  6. What should be included in "other" under "types of leave entitlements"?
  7. What should be included in the "final gross payment"?
  8. What should be included in the "redundancy payment"?
  9. What should be included in the "amounts held by you for rollover purposes"?
  10. What time frame relates to "workers compensation claims"?
  11. What if I don't have a business stamp?
  12. Ceasing work voluntarily or being dismissed due to misconduct?

Can I supply this information in another way?

Yes. You can provide this information in a letter on your business letterhead. All the information requested on the form should be included in the letter.

Who can sign the ESC?

The employer or a pay officer who has the employer's authorisation to provide and verify this information.

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My employee has not been terminated. Should I complete the ESC?

Sometimes you may be asked to complete an ESC in circumstances other than termination of employment, for example, a decrease in working hours or a change from full time to casual work. In these situations, you can amend the form to reflect the circumstances. For instance, you may wish to change the question "was employment terminated due to", to "employment has changed because". You can use the "Reason" box to provide additional information clarifying the change of circumstances.

What if the reason for termination does not fit the options on the form?

You can use the "Reason" box to provide additional information to clarify the change in circumstances.

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What is meant by "cashed in leave entitlements"?

Cashing in leave entitlements is a practice allowed only when included in the conditions of an award or enterprise agreement. It occurs when an employee gets paid for a period of leave accrued without actually taking the time for the leave.

What should be included in "other" under "types of leave entitlements"?

Examples of "other" leave include rostered days off (RDOs) and "time in lieu".

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What should be included in the "final gross payment"?

This is the amount before tax the employee gets when the employer pays them for the last time.

What should be included in the "redundancy payment"?

For our purposes a "redundancy payment" includes that part of a payment that is not for wages or leave entitlements. The amount stated should be the gross (or before tax) amount.

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What should be included in the "amounts held by you for rollover purposes"?

Rollover amounts are any amounts held from final payments that are to be rolled over to a financial institution.

What time frame relates to "workers compensation claims"?

This question relates to the total period of employment.

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What if I don't have a business stamp?

You may use any stamp that provides your business name and address. If you don't have a stamp, your phone number and signature will be sufficient. Employers should not use their common seal.

Ceasing work voluntarily or being dismissed due to misconduct?

Employees who cease work voluntarily or are dismissed due to misconduct and wish to receive a payment from us may be required to serve an Unemployment Non-Payment Period.

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More information

  • Phone 13 1158 between 8:30 am and 6:30 pm EST, Monday to Friday.
  • Fax 13 2115.
  • Email the Business Hotline.
  • Send us an online message.

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