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Review of service reasons
As part of Centrepay reform, we reviewed the existing 41 service reasons. We’re proposing to remove the following service reasons because they have low usage:
- motor vehicle registration
- employment expenses
- savings.
We’re proposing to remove the following service reasons because they aren’t in line with the objective of Centrepay:
- social and recreational commitments
- lease, hire, rent-to-buy of household goods
- funeral expenses
- basic household items
- food provision. Parts of this will be phased out over time.
We’re proposing to rename the food provision service reason to: provision of food: remote and very remote.
This revised service reason would be open to existing and new businesses to access Centrepay if they meet some rules. The business can’t primarily provide meat or meat products, such as butchers. The business must also be both:
- a retail community store
- in a remote or very remote area.
To make sure ongoing access to meals on wheels providers is available, we propose that these businesses will remain available under an alternative service reason.
Changes to eligible service reasons
We’re proposing that the types of businesses eligible for Centrepay under some service reasons will be significantly reduced.
It’s proposed that the travel and transport service reason be reduced to include only transport services such as bus or coach travel. Items like self-storage, fuel and vehicle repairs would no longer be included.
It’s also proposed that the professional services service reason be reduced to only include Legal Aid and related services provided by law firms. This would exclude all other professional services from this category including accountants and financial planners.
We’re also proposing to allow Centrepay to be used for rental arrears and final utility bills even where the person is no longer a customer.
Excluded expenses and payment arrangements
Some expenses for goods and services like tobacco, alcohol or life insurance are excluded from Centrepay.
We’re proposing that products such as mobile devices be added to the excluded expenses list. The list of items will be expanded to exclude, for example:
- all lease, hire, or rent-to-buy of household goods
- mobile phones, tablets and laptops.
Giving us feedback
On 31 March 2025, we begin a second round of public consultation.
This round of consultation invites input and feedback from businesses, customers and the broader community on the proposed Centrepay changes.
Centrepay reform feedback
We’d like to hear from you on how the proposed changes to Centrepay might affect you or your business.
You’re invited to give us your feedback on DSS Engage from 31 March 2025.
Submissions close at 11:59 pm on 21 April 2025.
General feedback
If you’re a customer, contact us through Centrepay complaints and feedback.