How To Claim The $400 Centrelink Payment
One-off payment to Australians in a further attempt to ease the financial pressure in 2025, the government is providing a one-off $400 payment to Australians who meet certain criteria. While it is not officially deemed “stimulus” per se, it rather serves as a cost-of-living add on, particularly for pensioners, carers and those on income support.
The program is designed to help people pay for basic costs of living like groceries, bills and rent. With inflation squeezing household budgets, the $400 bonus arrives as welcome relief.
This payment is separate to your usual Centrelink benefits, and is automatically paid to anyone who is eligible in most cases, you do not need to apply separately.
Who Is Eligible for the $400 Centrelink Payment?
You must currently receive benefits of a certain type to be eligible. You might be eligible if you receive one or more of the following Centrelink payments:
- Age Pension
- Disability Support Pension
- Carer Payment
- JobSeeker Payment
- Youth Allowance
- Austudy or ABSTUDY
- Parenting Payment
- Family Tax Benefit A or B
You are probably eligible if you were actively receiving one of these payments by the cut-off date announced by Services Australia.
So, Make sure to routinely just log in to your MyGov or Centrelink account so you see any messages about your eligibility.
When Will I Get Paid?
While there is no official fixed universal date from the government, the $400 Centrelink payment is expected to be rolled out from approx mid-to-late 2025, with the majority of recipients seeing it between June and August.
Centrelink usually pays these payments on a staggered basis depending on which benefit you receive. Here’s a general timeline:
- Pensioners: Top priority; begin early June 2025
- Carers & Parents: Mid-June – Early July
- Youth Allowance: JobSeeker July August
Ensure your bank account and contact details are current on MyGov to prevent delays.
Centrelink Payment: How to Claim the $400
In most situations, an application is not necessary. If you are getting eligible payments, the amount will automatically go to your bank account with Centrelink.
But there are certain circumstances like recent change of circumstances or account updates that require you to:
- Log into your MyGov account
- Go to your account on Centrelink
- Check for messages or prompts
- Provide any documents requested (if applicable)
If you are not sure of your status, you can contact Services Australia or visit your local Centrelink office for assistance.
Is The $400 Centrelink Payment Taxable?
The good news is that this payment is non-taxable. It will be treated as a no-string-attached one-off payment, like other such supplements from Centrelink, so it won’t be counted as income, with the consequence:
- It will not impact your future Centrelink payments
- It is not something you include in your tax return
Because it’s also clean, no-strings-attached assistance to people dealing with rising prices.
Avoid Scams – Stay Alert
Sadly, scammers try to take advantage any time government payments are announced. Be cautious of:
- fake emails or texts pretending to be from Centrelink
- Links urging you to “apply now” for the $400 payment
- Demands for banking or personal information
Information or updates should always be sourced from official channels, including the MyGovor and Services Australia website.
Never give your Centrelink login details to anyone.
Economic Consequences And Public Reaction
The announcement has been well received, particularly among pensioners and carers who have been disproportionately affected by inflation. And economists say these kinds of payments can revive local economies, particularly when they are used to purchase basic goods and services.
This helped thousands of households pay utility bills, groceries and rent in 2023 and 2024. The $400 bonus on top of that, for 2025, is part and parcel of that trend.
Centrelink payment eligibility
The $400 Centrelink payment a welcome relief for a lot of Australians under financial pressure in 2025 Whether you’re a pensioner, carer, student or searching for a job this guide
will help you know everything concerning the payment from eligibility to receiving it without any hassle.
Keep an eye on your MyGov inbox, and remember: if it sounds too good to be true from an unknown sender, it likely is.