Electronic Message Reminders (SMS or email)
On this page- Electronic Message Reminders (SMS or email)
- Subscribing to the Electronic Message Reminder Service
- Terms and Conditions for Electronic Message Reminders
- Opting out of the Electronic Message Reminder Service
- Frequently Asked Questions
Electronic Message Reminders (SMS or email) reminders
Electronic Message Reminders is a free service that allows you to receive messages about important information from Centrelink. Messages are sent to your mobile phone number by SMS (Short Message Service) or by email to your email address. You can choose how you would like to receive your messages (by SMS or email). Electronic Message Reminders do not contain any of your personal information and you do not need to reply to any of the messages. You do not need to be registered for online services to use SMS and email reminders.
If you are living permanently outside Australia, you will only receive your messages by email.
You will not be able to receive messages if:
- you are not receiving a Centrelink payment because of a compensation preclusion period, or
- you have requested that only certain Centrelink staff have access to your records.
If you change your mobile phone number or your email address you will need to tell us straight away. You can update your mobile phone number or email address by logging into Online Services, then selecting ‘Personal details’, then ‘View/Update Address, Accommodation or Contact details’. Alternatively, you can telephone us or visit your local Centrelink Customer Service Centre.
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Subscribing to the Electronic Message Reminder Service
You will be subscribed to the Electronic Message Reminder service automatically when you update your mobile phone number or email address unless you have previously indicated that you do not want this service. If you have provided a mobile phone number, you will receive your messages by SMS. If you have provided an email address, you will receive your messages by email. If you have provided both, you will receive messages by SMS, however you can change your preference at any time.
If you have not been automatically subscribed and would like to use this service, there are several ways you can subscribe:
- online, or
- telephone us, or
- visit your Centrelink Customer Service Centre.
To subscribe online, you will need to:
- be registered for Online Services (or register for Online Services) with access level 3
- select the log on button and enter your Customer Access Number (CAN) and password
- select ’Reminders and Letters’
- select ‘Reminders and Letters Subscription’.
You will receive a ‘Welcome’ message when you subscribe to the service, or you change your message delivery preference, or you change your mobile phone number or email address.
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Terms and Conditions for Electronic Message Reminders
The following terms and conditions apply to the Electronic Message Reminder Service (SMS or email).
- Centrelink may send you messages appropriate to your circumstances.
- No SMS or email from Centrelink will contain your name or contact details
- You will not be required to respond via SMS or email to any Centrelink message.
- Messages you may receive include:
- appointment reminders the business day prior to your appointment
- reminders to provide up-to-date information
- reminders to provide documents
- possible future payment alerts
- notification of new Online Letters (if you are subscribed to this service)
- You are able to withdraw from these services at any time.
- Centrelink will NOT include direct links to ANY website within an email from this service.
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Opting out of the Electronic Message Reminder Service
You can opt out of the Electronic Message Reminder service at any time. There are several ways that you can unsubscribe:
- online, or
- call 1800 199 575 at any time and follow the prompts, or
- telephone us over the phone, or
- visit your Centrelink Customer Service Centre.
To opt out or change your choice online, you will need to:
- be registered for Online Services (or register for Online Services) with access level 3
- select the log on button and enter your Customer Access Number (CAN) and password
- select ‘Reminders and Letters’
- select ‘Reminders and Letters Subscriptions’.
To opt out by calling the 1800 199 575 service, you will need to:
- dial 1800 199 575
- enter your 9 digit Customer Access Number (CAN)
- press 1
- wait for the confirmation message and then hang up.
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Frequently Asked Questions
- What type of messages will I receive?
- Does updating my mobile number or email address affect the service?
- How do I change my message delivery preference?
- Why can't I get Electronic Message Reminders?
- Will I receive messages if I'm no longer a Centrelink customer?
- Why do I do if I receive an incorrect message?
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What type of messages will I receive?
Centrelink may send you messages about:
- appointment reminders
- reminders to provide up-to-date information
- reminders to provide documents
- possible future payment alerts
- notification of new Online Letters (if you are subscribed to this service).
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Does updating my mobile number or email address affect the service?
If you are already subscribed to the Electronic Message Reminder service and you update your mobile phone number or email address, you will receive a ‘Welcome’ message. This will confirm that your messages will now be sent to your new mobile phone number or email address.
If you are not already subscribed to the Electronic Message Reminder service, you will be subscribed automatically when you update your mobile phone number or email address unless you have previously indicated you did not want to subscribe to this service.
If you change your mobile phone number or your email address you will need to tell us straight away. You can update your mobile phone number or email address by logging into Online Services, then selecting ‘Personal details’, then ‘View/Update Address, Accommodation or Contact details’. Alternatively you can telephone us or visit your local Centrelink Customer Service Centre.
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How do I change my message delivery preference?
You can change your message delivery preference (from SMS to email, or email to SMS) at any time. There are several ways to change your subscription:
- online, or
- telephone us, or
- visit your Centrelink Customer Service Centre.
To change your delivery method online, you will need to:
- be registered for Online Services (or register for Online Services) with access level 3
- select the log on button and enter your Customer Access Number (CAN) and password
- select ‘Reminders and Letters’
- select ‘Reminders and Letters Subscriptions’.
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Why can’t I get Electronic Message Reminders?
You will not be able to subscribe to the Electronic Message Reminder service if:
- you are not receiving a Centrelink payment because of a compensation preclusion period, or
- you have requested that only certain Centrelink staff have access to your records.
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Will I receive messages if I’m no longer a Centrelink customer?
If you are no longer receiving a payment or service from Centrelink you will remain subscribed to the service. As Centrelink only sends messages that are relevant to your circumstances, you will not receive messages unless they are relevant to you.
What do I do if I receive an incorrect message?
If you have received a message that is not relevant to you, you should contact us immediately.
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For more information about Online Services, including passwords and secret questions and answers, refer to Online and Phone Services frequently asked questions.