Centrelink advance payments: an interest-free option to check.

How an advance payment works

Services Australia describes an advance payment as like a loan from your Centrelink payment. You get part of your income support payment, or Family Tax Benefit Part A, early as a lump sum, then repay it by getting a bit less in your next 13 payments.

Check it fits your budget first

• Work out what your payment will be after the repayment comes out, for each of the next 13 payments.
• List your essentials over that period: rent, food, energy, phone, transport and medicine.
• Check the cost is one-off. An advance won't fix an ongoing shortfall.
• Consider asking for only part of the amount if that covers the cost.
• Talk to a free financial counsellor if you're juggling several debts.

How to apply

1. 1

   Sign in

   Use your Centrelink online account through myGov, or the Express Plus Centrelink mobile app.

2. 2

   Find advance payments

   Go to Payments and claims, then Manage payments, then Manage advance payments.

3. 3

   Report your income and expenses

   Services Australia uses this to check you can afford to repay the advance.

4. 4

   Choose the amount

   Select the amount and, where offered, whether to receive it in one or two instalments.

Advance payment questions