Centrelink is the name of the statutory authority that administers the payment of financial assistance from the Commonwealth Government to individuals.

Legislation administered by Centrelink includes:

It can be particularly useful to refer also to the Australian Government's Guides to Social Policy Law.

Centrelink payments include a range of pensions, allowances and benefits which are paid to eligible people in certain circumstances.

Some common types of Centrelink payments include:

For a full list of Centrelink payments and their eligibility criteria, see the Guide to Australian Government Payments on the Services Australia website.

Eligibility to receive a Centrelink payment will depend on a wide range of factors, including a person’s income and assets, whether they are studying, a member of a couple, a parent, have a disability, are a carer, or are a retiree, as well as many other factors [Social Security Act 1991 (Cwth) Chapter 2]. Generally speaking, to be approved for a Centrelink payment a person must also meet residence requirements, although there are some exceptions to these rules [see section 7].

Disputes over Centrelink matters most commonly arise when a person’s application for a payment is rejected, when an existing payment is reduced or cancelled, or where a person has been overpaid and Centrelink has raised a debt against them. These issues are explored further in this chapter.

Most Centrelink decisions are reviewable and there is no time limit, but be aware that you can generally only be fully back paid an entitlement if you appeal within 13 weeks of the original decision. Some particular payment types may have a longer period in relation to back pay. Legal Services can advise about what steps to take and what evidence should be presented in the review. Call the free Legal Helpline on 1300 366 424. For more information, please refer to Challenging a Centrelink Decision.

If you have been issued with a debt, you should get legal advice before seeking review. If the debt is a result of fraud, you will need to complete a legal aid form for legal representation.