DEALING WITH CENTRELINK – SERVICES AUSTRALIA
Service Australia: SUMMARY
 | Key messages about Centrelink/Services Australia:
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- There are many types of payments and services. The Centrelink payment finder is a good starting point.
- You can appeal any Centrelink decision if you believe it is wrong, unfair, or shouldn’t apply to you. If you want to appeal a Centrelink decision:
- First, get in touch with them to discuss the issue
- If it is not resolved at that point, you can apply for an internal review using this form
- You can seek assistance and advice around appealing a Centrelink decision from Barwon Community Legal Service
- When calling Centrelink, it is essential to contact the specific department for your enquiry- if you call the wrong department they may not be able to help. See a full list of Centrelink phone numbers here
- The fastest and most effective way to apply for a payment and provide documents to Centrelink is via a MyGov account
Community Support Services
 | 9-5 Mon-Fri Assistance with Centrelink issues | |
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| 9-5 Mon-Fri Information, advice + legal support relating to social security issues |
USEFUL RESOURCES
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Fact sheets, including:
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| Guide to the Disability Support Pension: Easy English |
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| Self-Help Resources |
Service Australia: DEEP DIVE
| Key messages about Centrelink/Services Australia:
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Tips for contacting Centrelink
- Ensure you find the phone number for the correct department.
- Waiting times are usually shortest early in the morning or on Wednesdays and Thursdays.
- Stay on the line – hanging up and redialling may mean a longer wait than staying on the line.
- Keep records of your payments so you know what you owe or what Centrelink owes you.
Some commonly used Centrelink phone lines:
(8 am-5 pm Mon-Fri unless otherwise stated)
- Employment line: 132 850 (Jobseeker, Assurance of Support, social workers)
- Families line: 136 150 (Family Tax Benefit, Parenting Payment, Child Care Subsidy) 8 am-8 pm
- Indigenous call centre: 1800 136 380
- Multilingual phone service: 131 202
- Older Australians line: 132 300 (Aged Pension, Bereavement assistance)
- Disability, sickness & carers line: 132 717
- Youth & students line: 132 490 (Austudy, youth allowance)
- Reporting line: 133 276 (to report your income or whether you have met your mutual obligations) 24 hrs
- Find a full list of Centrelink contact numbers here
Centrelink debts
| An overpayment of a Centrelink benefit will result in a ‘debt’. Centrelink can demand repayment of a debt, even if the overpayment was not your fault. However Centrelink can make a mistake, so it is important to check whether you do owe them money or not. For more information on dealing with Centrelink, debts click on the information icon. |  |
If you are unsure whether the debt is legitimate, you can get free and independent legal advice from Barwon Community Legal Service:
Disability Support Pension
- Getting the Disability Support Pension (DSP) can be challenging and often depends on the quality of evidence provided in an application. DSP Help is a free resource for DSP applicants and their support workers. It includes guidance about what is required and resources to use when approaching doctors and specialists for evidence.
