When to report

If you get or claim a payment from us, and you get or will get compensation, you need to tell us. When you report compensation payments to us, we need to know the gross compensation amount you get before tax.

If you get a payment from us

If you get any income support from us, you need to complete the Compensation and damages form. You’ll need to tell us if any of these apply:

• the compensation payer has paid you
• you're in the process of claiming
• you plan to make a compensation claim.

Your Compensation and damages form will apply to any of the following:

• a work related injury or illness
• a motor vehicle accident
• a slip or trip at work
• sickness or accident policy payments
• workers compensation.

You don’t need to complete the form if you’re getting a payment from an Income Protection Policy attached to a superannuation fund. If you’re not sure about your payment, call our Centrelink compensation recovery line.

How to submit your form

You can download and complete the Compensation and damages form.

You can return this to us online, by post or at a service centre. If you can’t print the form, go to a service centre and ask for the Compensation and damages form.

If you claim a payment from us

When you make any new claims for income support, you also need to give us your Compensation and damages form. You’ll also have to give us any other documents we ask for, such as:

• evidence from insurers
• copies of policies.

You don’t need to complete the form if you’re claiming a payment from an Income Protection Policy attached to a superannuation fund. If you’re not sure about your payment, call our Centrelink compensation recovery line.

How to submit your form

You can download, complete and return the Compensation and damages form.

You can return this to us online, by post or at a service centre. If you can’t print the form, go to a service centre and ask for the Compensation and damages form.

If you need to report

When you report compensation payments to Centrelink, we need to know the gross compensation amount you get before tax.

If you’re getting ongoing compensation payments or a combination of compensation payments and employment income, you can report both payments.

You can call our Centrelink compensation recovery line to talk to us about it.

If you disagree with a decision

You have the right to ask us to review any decision we make.

If there are exceptional changes to your circumstances, we may be able to reassess your Centrelink entitlement. For us to reassess your entitlement you need to ask for a review.

You’ll need to give us evidence that your situation both:

• is unusual, uncommon or exceptional
• makes the application of the lump sum preclusion period unduly harsh or unfair.

We’ll assess whether you meet our special circumstances criteria based on your situation. If you do, we may be able to reduce your preclusion period.

If you’re in financial hardship

If you’re in financial hardship and want the decision about your compensation payment reviewed, you can either:

• call our Centrelink compensation recovery line
• complete and return the Compensation Statement of Financial Circumstances form.

This is different to applying for a formal review.