Centrepay is a free, voluntary bill payment service offered to Centrelink recipients in Australia. This service helps individuals automatically pay for essential services such as rent, utilities, and other recurring expenses directly from their Centrelink benefits. With Centrepay, recipients can manage their financial commitments more easily by ensuring that necessary bills are paid automatically before they receive their remaining payments. This article explores how to set up and manage Centrepay deductions in 2024.
What is Centrepay?
Centrepay is a no-cost service designed to assist Centrelink customers in managing their household expenses by allowing automatic deductions from their welfare payments. These deductions are used to pay bills for a wide range of essential services such as rent, utilities, school fees, and insurance. The service is available to anyone receiving Centrelink payments like the Age Pension, Youth Allowance, and Disability Support Pension.
The service is entirely free to use—there are no fees for setting up or managing deductions, and businesses are not allowed to charge transaction fees to customers using Centrepay.
Types of Expenses You Can Pay with Centrepay
Centrepay allows payments for a variety of essential services, including:
- Rent payments: Direct payments to landlords or property managers.
- Utilities: Automatic payments for gas, electricity, water, and other utility bills.
- Healthcare services: Medical and dental expenses, including health insurance premiums.
- Education costs: School fees, uniforms, and related expenses.
- Insurance premiums: Payments for home, contents, and car insurance.
Businesses that are eligible to receive Centrepay payments are registered with Services Australia. If a business is not currently registered, you can request that they join the program.
How to Set Up Centrepay Deductions
Setting up Centrepay deductions is straightforward. There are three primary methods to do this:
- Online via myGov: If you have a myGov account linked to Centrelink, you can log in and set up deductions for your bills. You simply need to select the business, specify the amount to be deducted, and confirm the payment schedule.
- Through the Centrelink App: The Express Plus Centrelink mobile app also allows you to set up, manage, and cancel Centrepay deductions.
- In-person or by Phone: You can visit a Services Australia Centre or call the Centrelink help line for assistance in setting up your deductions.
You will need to provide the following information when setting up your deduction:
- Your Centrelink Customer Reference Number (CRN).
- The details of the business you wish to pay (e.g., account number, business name, and contact information).
- The deduction amount (with a minimum of $10 per fortnight).
- The Centrelink payment from which the deduction will be made.
- Any target amount or an end date for the deductions.
Managing Your Centrepay Deductions
One of the key benefits of Centrepay is flexibility. You can adjust the deduction amount, pause payments temporarily, or set a target amount after which deductions will stop automatically.
If your circumstances change, such as a temporary interruption to your income (e.g., losing a job), you can suspend payments for up to 13 weeks. Once the suspension period ends, the deductions will resume automatically. You can also cancel any deduction at any time, though it’s important to ensure you have other payment arrangements in place to avoid falling behind on your bills.
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What Can You Pay with Centrepay?
Centrepay is designed to cover a wide range of essential services. However, there are some restrictions. Here are the types of expenses you can pay:
- Housing and rent: Direct payments to landlords or property managers.
- Utilities: Bills for services like gas, electricity, and water.
- Healthcare: Medical and dental expenses, including health insurance.
- Education: School-related expenses like fees and uniforms.
- Insurance: Premiums for home, contents, and vehicle insurance.
Some services that cannot be paid using Centrepay include:
- Child Care Subsidy
- Advance payments from Centrelink
- Certain Centrelink supplements like the Pension Supplement or Telephone Allowance
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What is the minimum deduction amount through Centrepay?
The minimum deduction is $10 per fortnight.
Q2: Can I use Centrepay for any type of Centrelink payment?
No, only eligible Centrelink payments, such as Youth Allowance, Age Pension, and Disability Support Pension, can be used for Centrepay deductions.
Q3: Can I manage my Centrepay deductions online?
Yes, you can manage your deductions through the myGov website, the Centrelink app, or by contacting Services Australia directly.
Q4: Can I adjust or stop my deductions?
Yes, you can modify the deduction amount, pause payments for up to 13 weeks, or cancel the deductions entirely if needed.
Centrepay continues to be a valuable tool for Centrelink recipients in 2024, providing a hassle-free way to manage important bill payments and maintain financial stability. By using this service, recipients can ensure that their essential services are paid on time, without worrying about missing payments or facing additional charges.