Australia – 8 October 2026
Services Australia has announced that from 1 November 2026 major changes will apply to the Centrepay system. Under the changes, recipients of some Centrelink payments will no longer be able to pay for certain goods and services through Centrepay.
Centrepay is a voluntary payment system for some Centrelink recipients. It allows people to pay for certain goods and services directly from their government payments. Once the new rules take effect, the range of goods and services that can be paid for this way will narrow.
According to information published by Services Australia, from 1 November, costs such as the rental of some household goods, clothing and footwear, some groceries, meat bought from butchers, some work-related expenses including tools, uniforms and training, funeral expenses, some recreational activities, savings and vehicle registration will no longer be payable through Centrepay.
The change matters for people who currently use regular Centrepay deductions to meet these expenses. Services Australia has asked affected customers to check their payments and, where necessary, contact the relevant business or service provider to arrange an alternative payment method for these costs.
The agency also warns that failing to arrange an alternative once Centrepay deductions stop could lead to missed payments and debt. Centrepay users should therefore check before 1 November 2026 whether their current payments are affected by the changes.
The changes do not apply to all Centrepay payments. Anyone unsure about their circumstances should check official Services Australia information or contact the agency for guidance on their Centrepay deductions.
Source: Services Australia, Australian Government
