What to tell us
You need to tell us as soon as any of the following things change:
- your contact details
- your bank details
- you change or correct your name
- your child stops living with you
- another child comes into your care
- your shared care arrangements change
- your relationship changes
- you’re getting child support payments and the amount changes
- you change your address
- you sell your principal home.
You also need to tell us as soon as any of the following things change:
- you or your partner get more or less money in a fortnight
- your work status changes
- your study load changes
- you get a lump sum payment
- you get compensation or your compensation rate changes
- your accommodation details, including the amount of rent you pay
- your living arrangements if you’re single and start sharing your accommodation with a non-family member who’s 16 or older
- you’re sick or injured and unable to do your usual work or study load and can provide a medical certificate
- your partner or child dies.
You can also update your gender identity.
You need to tell us within 14 days of the change or before your next payment. This will stop you or your partner getting a debt.
How and when to tell us
You need to tell us if your circumstances change within 14 days. If your Centrelink online account is linked to myGov you can tell us online. To do this, sign in to myGov and select My details.
If you don’t have a myGov account or a Centrelink online account you’ll need to create them.
Changing or correcting your name
It’s important to tell us if you change your legal name.
What happens if you don’t tell us
If you don’t tell us about changes to your circumstances, we may pay you too much. If this happens you’ll have to pay the money back, plus a fee.
If you deliberately don’t tell us about changes, we could charge you with fraud.
Read how to avoid fraud.