Factors affecting payment rates and eligibility

These factors are to be used as a guide only. You can contact us or visit your nearest Centrelink Customer Service Centre to find out what factors may affect your particular payment.

Your payment and the amount you are paid can be affected by things including:

• Income
• Assets
• whether you provide Centrelink with information such as proof of identity and your tax file number
• whether you are a member of a couple
• how many dependent children you have
• whether your circumstances change while you are getting a payment
• how much rent you pay and who you pay it to
• your age
• if you live in a remote area
• whether you live away from home
• whether you are independent
• when you arrived in Australia (newly arrived residents waiting period)
• whether you are paid under an International Social Security Agreement
• any maintenance and child support you, your partner or your children receive
• any compensation payments you or your partner receive
• any leave or redundancy payments you or your partner receive
• whether you need to pay tax on your payment from Centrelink
• your parents' income and assets (in some cases)
• if you go on holiday or move permanently outside Australia
• if you go to jail
• whether you have a telephone
• whether you take action to obtain child support
• if you share the care of a child, the percentage of time that child is in your care.