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What to do if your circumstances change when caring for someone

If you get a payment from Centrelink and you have a change in your circumstances, for example if you stop being a carer, move house, or your income changes, you need to let Centrelink know within 14 days in case it affects your payment.

You must tell us within 14 days if you think a change in your life might affect your payment. It is always a good idea to check with Centrelink if you think that change might make a difference to your payment amount, the way you are paid, or even the address you want your Centrelink information sent to. You can tell us by writing, phoning or coming into any of our offices. If you are unsure if a change will affect your payment, please contact your nearest Centrelink Customer Service Centre as soon as possible.

You must always notify Centrelink if:

• you change your address - if mail is returned to Centrelink unclaimed, your payments may be stopped
• you make changes to the bank account into which payments are made
• you have a dependent child leave your care or a dependent child comes into your care
• you or the person you care for go on a holiday outside Australia or leave Australia permanently
• you or the person you care for stop being an Australian citizen or permanent resident.

You must also tell us if the person (or people) you care for:

• stops living with you or dies
• is a child who stops being your dependant (for example, receives a Social Security Payment in their own right)
• needs less care
• leaves your care to enter hospital for any reason for a total of more than 63 days in a calendar year (this only applies to absences of 24 hours or more)
• permanently stops receiving your daily care and attention.

If you are not living with the person you care for you must also tell us:

• if you start living in the same home
• if the personal care your provide reduces
• if you start getting paid at or above award wages to provide care
• if you do not provide care on a day you normally would.

If you don't notify Centrelink about changes in your circumstances, you may find yourself in debt. If you are overpaid benefits, you will probably have to pay money back. If you deliberately don't tell Centrelink about changes, you could be charged with fraud. An additional recovery fee may also be imposed, if incorrect information has been given to Centrelink about employment income.

For more information about what changes in your life might affect your payment, refer to factors that affect payments and eligibility.