We have information about what help we have when you rent or pay for your accommodation.
Manage your rent or accommodation costs
There are many services that can help you manage your rent or accommodation costs.
Rent Assistance
Rent Assistance is a regular extra payment we’ll automatically pay you if you pay eligible rent or accommodation costs and get an eligible payment from us. You can get it if all of these apply, you:
- pay eligible rent or accommodation costs, other than to a state or territory housing authority
- pay over the minimum amount of rent or accommodation costs
- get an eligible payment from us.
Find out more about Rent Assistance.
Rent Deduction Scheme
The Rent Deduction Scheme lets you pay your public housing rent straight from your Centrelink payments. You can arrange this with your state or territory housing authority. It’s a free service.
Centrepay
Centrepay lets you pay bills and expenses as regular deductions from your Centrelink payments. It’s free and voluntary. You can use it to pay your rent and other bills, such as child care and electricity.
In-between home addresses
If you’re in-between home addresses, keep us up to date and tell us where to send your mail so you can get it.
You can tell us about a home address you’re moving to in the future, but we can only send your mail there from the date you’ve told us you’ll be living there from. However, while you’re waiting for this to happen, it’s important you give us a secure mailing address. If you don’t, your mail will go to the last mailing address you gave us.
It’s important to keep your addresses up to date using your Centrelink online account through myGov.
If you’re living with violence or abuse, or separating from your partner, you should review all addresses we have recorded for you. This can help to keep your information secure.
Help in a crisis
Crisis Payment can help if you’re going through difficult or extreme circumstances. It’s a one-off payment.
If you’re experiencing family and domestic violence, we can help you with information, resources and referrals. We can also help you get your mail securely.
We also have social workers you can talk to about your situation. They can help you with information, support and short-term counselling.
For help with payments or services, visit a service centre or call us on your regular payment line.