Are you a member of a couple?

Are you a member of a couple?

If you have a partner, this is sometimes referred to as being a ‘member of a couple’. It is important to tell Centrelink if you are a single person or have a partner. You need to do this when you first apply for payments or services from Centrelink. If you already receive a payment or service, you need to tell Centrelink if you become a member of a couple.

Even if you have a partner, they cannot access your information from Centrelink unless you give permission. For more information, refer to Someone to deal with Centrelink for you.

What is a member of a couple?

You will be regarded as a member of a couple if you usually live with your partner and are:

• married
• in a registered relationship (opposite-sex or same-sex), or
• in a de facto relationship (opposite-sex or same-sex).

What is a registered relationship?

A registered relationship is one that is registered under prescribed Australian state or territory laws. These relationships are currently recognised in the Australian Capital Territory, Tasmania, Victoria and New South Wales.

Relationships registered in other countries, or under local government schemes, are not recognised. This is because they are not registered under an Australian state or territory law. However, evidence of these registrations is a strong indicator that a couple is in a de facto relationship.

What is a de facto relationship?

A de facto relationship is where 2 people who are not married, usually live together as members of a couple. A de facto relationship can be between people of the opposite or same-sex. Centrelink considers a couple to be in a de facto relationship from the time they start living together as a member of a couple.

For more information on these types of relationships, read the Are you a member of a couple? factsheet.

Why do I have to tell Centrelink if I am a member of a couple?

The amount of money and your eligibility for some payments and services can change. Telling Centrelink if you are a member of a couple will help make sure you get the right amount of money and don’t get more or less than is allowed.

For more information about other things you need to tell Centrelink, refer to Avoid a debt.

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How does being a member of a couple affect payments and services I receive?

How your payment is affected will depend on your personal circumstances. The type of payment or service you receive or are applying for will also make a difference.

Most payments and services are different depending on whether you are single or have a partner. This is because your income and assets, as well as your partner’s are taken into consideration. You may receive a different amount of money when your partner’s income and assets are included in assessing your payment.

For most payments, the partnered rate is less than the single rate of payment. This is because couples may share everyday expenses such as utilities and rent. You may stop receiving a payment or service when you have a partner. However, sometimes this works the other way too. Your partner may start to receive some benefits that you have when you become a member of a couple with them.

For more information on benefits your partner might be able to receive, view the Concession cards section below.

Concession cards

You need to know how your concession card might change if you are a member of a couple. Some of the changes that can happen to your concession card are listed here. The changes will depend on your situation and the type of card you have.

• Your partner may start receiving concession card benefits when you become a member of a couple.
• You may start receiving concession card benefits if your partner has a concession card.
• You or your partner may not receive concession card benefits when you are a member of a couple.

Present the concession card with your partner's details on it to access concessions for your partner. Your name has to be on the card if you want to access concessions too. You or your partner can ask Centrelink for a concession card without partner details if you prefer.

For more information on concession cards see:

• Concession cards, or
• A guide to Centrelink concession cards booklet

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Member of a couple assessment or review

If you are a member of a couple, Centrelink does not usually assess your relationship. An assessment will be needed if:

• you give information to Centrelink that tells us you may be a member of a couple, like you are sharing accommodation
• information from our records or another Government department (like the Australian Electoral Commission), lets us know you may be a member of a couple, or
• Centrelink receives anonymous information from the public.

When an assessment is needed, the following factors are considered:

• finances
• social relationships
• nature of your household
• presence or absence of a sexual relationship, and
• nature of the commitment.

Centrelink understands that not all relationships are the same. Some of these factors may not be in your relationship. A decision can still be made that you are a member of a couple even if all of these factors are not present in your relationship.

We may need to ask for information from a third party in the course of a member of a couple assessment.

For more information about member of a couple assessments, read the Are you a member of a couple? factsheet.

More information

• Are you a member of a couple? factsheet
• Examples of different couple situations
• Same Sex Relationships
• Someone to deal with Centrelink for you
• Information about income limits for Centrelink payments and concession cards is included in the Australian Government Payment Rates booklet.
• Your Rights
• Contact Centrelink by phone or visit your nearest Customer Service Centre.

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