Terms of use

Centrelink online account (COA) is an online service. It is hosted by Services Australia, an Australian Government agency.

In these terms of use, we refer to the agency as ‘we’, ‘our’ or ‘us’.

1. Agreeing to these terms of use

By having a Centrelink online account, you agree to these terms of use.

The following also applies to your use of your COA:

If there are differences between any terms of use, these COA terms of use will apply.

2. Changes to Centrelink online accounts

We may make changes to Centrelink online or your COA. This may happen at any time, with or without notifying you.

The changes may result in updates to these terms of use. The updated terms of use will then apply to your use of COA.

3. Privacy and your personal information

The privacy and security of your personal information is important to us. It is protected by law. We need to collect this information so we can:

  • process and manage your applications,
  • process and manage your payments, and
  • provide services to you.

We only share your information with other parties where:

  • you have agreed, or
  • where the law allows or requires it

For more information, go to servicesaustralia.gov.au/individuals/privacy.

4. Providing correct information

You must provide us with true and correct information. If you provide false or misleading information to us, you may face:

  • Prosecution, and
  • civil or criminal penalties

5. Keeping your personal details up to date

You are responsible for making sure the following details are correct and up to date, your:

  • bank
  • contact, and
  • personal

6. Removing your access

We may lock, suspend or revoke your access to your COA, or parts of it, if:

  • you do not comply with these terms of use
  • we think your COA was used in an unauthorised transaction, or
  • you are no longer eligible for a COA

7. Your responsibilities

You are responsible for keeping the details of your COA secure. Do not share these details with anyone else.

If you do not comply with your responsibilities, we may do one of the following to your COA:

  • lock,
  • suspend or
  • revoke

You must not allow someone else to use your COA.

If you do not take reasonable precautions to keep your account details safe and someone is able to sign into your Centrelink online account, or if you give someone your details so that they can sign into your account, you are responsible for everything that person does with your account.

We will assume you made all transactions in your COA.

You are responsible for any damage caused by any virus, malware, or other similar malicious code, to your:

  • computer
  • device
  • systems, or
  • software

You are responsible for reading all available information about your COA.

8. What we are not responsible for

We are not liable or responsible for any incurred legal claim, loss, or liability. This could be due to:

  • your access, or failure to access Centrelink online or your COA
  • you doing transactions using Centrelink online or your COA
  • your failure to give true and correct information in accordance with these terms of use
  • your failure to give true and correct bank, contact and personal details
  • your failure to update your bank, contact and personal details
  • other people using your COA, or
  • your failure to comply with these terms of use

We do not guarantee the availability of Centrelink online or your COA. Access to Centrelink online depends on:

  • telecommunications
  • internet service providers, and
  • other external factors

In these terms of use:
“Loss” means any loss, damage, cost or expense to any person or property, including loss of profits or revenue, loss or denial of opportunity, loss of use, loss of data, and any indirect, remote, abnormal or unforeseeable loss.

9. Collection of information for analytics and service improvement

We may collect information about your interactions with Centrelink online or your COA to help us to understand where we may be able to improve your digital experience and the service we offer to you.

For more information go to https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/organisations/about-us/publications-and-resources/privacy-policy/data-analytics-and-service-improvement-privacy-notice

10. Applicable law

The laws of the Australian Capital Territory apply to these terms of use.