Goods and services

If you get an eligible Centrelink payment, you can use Centrepay for goods and services from many businesses.

Use the find a business tool to check if we have approved the business you want goods and service from. If they’ve been approved, you can set up a Centrepay deduction.

Accommodation - includes rent, bond and arrears

You can set up a Centrepay deduction for certain accommodation costs.

Accommodation type Costs you can pay for
Boarding house accommodation

Board or lodgings either in a private home, or other shared accommodation.

Caravan park Rental fees or site costs in a caravan park.
General community housing Accommodation provided by community organisations.
Indigenous community housing Accommodation provided by Indigenous community organisations.
Short term accommodation

Short term accommodation, including:

  • emergency, sheltered and other crisis accommodation
  • disability accommodation
  • rehabilitation accommodation
  • hostel accommodation, but not for holidays
  • motel or hotel accommodation, but not for holidays
  • caravans and mobile-style accommodation, but not for holidays.
Indigenous short term accommodation

Short term accommodation for Indigenous Australians, including:

  • sheltered accommodation
  • disability accommodation
  • rehabilitation accommodation
  • hostel accommodation.
Private landlords Rent charged by landlords for private accommodation.
Real estate agents Rent paid to an appointed real estate agent.
Property management Rent paid to an appointed property manager.
Supported accommodation

Fees and charges for:

  • retirement village
  • nursing home
  • lifestyle village
  • hospice style accommodation.

There are some accommodation types you can’t pay for with Centrepay.

Education and employment

You can set up a Centrepay deduction for these education and employment costs.

Education and employment type Costs you can pay for
Child care services

Costs for child care services provided by approved child care providers, including:

  • ongoing
  • after school
  • occasional
  • holiday.

This can include arrears payments.

Education expenses

Fees and charges for services to registered educational providers. These include related educational expenses such as:

  • uniforms
  • equipment
  • workshops
  • excursions.
Employment expenses

Employment related expenses, including:

  • tools of trade
  • work uniforms
  • protective clothing
  • training
  • footwear.

Health

You can set up a Centrepay deduction for the following health related costs.

Health type Costs you can pay for
Funeral

Funeral related expenses, including:

  • funeral plans and bonds
  • prepaid funerals
  • actual costs of a funeral paid to funeral homes
  • accredited and registered funeral directors or other providers.

There are some items you can’t pay for with Centrepay.

Ambulance

Expenses related to using an ambulance or other service provided by:

  • the Royal Flying Doctor Service
  • emergency helicopter transfer service
  • other similar services.
Medical services and equipment

Expenses related to medical services such as:

  • consultations
  • medication
  • hospital costs
  • rehabilitation
  • equipment such as wheelchairs, crutches, oxygen tanks
  • veterinarian expenses for domestic pets.
Disability and community services

Expenses related to packaged goods or services for disability and community services, including:

  • respite for carers
  • travel and transport
  • education and training programs
  • meal preparation
  • home care services
  • therapy services
  • assistive equipment.

Social and recreational

You can set up a Centrepay deduction for fees or donations for:

  • sporting activities and equipment
  • musical activities and equipment
  • church donations
  • sponsorships.

Finance services

You can set up a Centrepay deduction for these financial costs.

Finance type Costs you can pay for
Community group loans

Loans to approved community organisations. This includes Family Income Management Scheme no interest loans.

No interest loans Department of Social Services (DSS) approved No Interest Loans.
General community housing loans Low interest housing loans provided by approved community organisations.
Indigenous community housing loans Low interest housing loans provided by approved Indigenous community organisations.
Special interest loans

Appropriate loans from businesses approved to use Centrepay.

Insurance services

Insurance for any of the following:

  • house
  • home contents
  • vehicle
  • boat
  • caravan
  • pet
  • approved and regulated private health insurance.

There are some items you can’t pay for with Centrepay.

Savings

Deposits paid to microfinance savings plans. These include:

  • deposits to accounts
  • schemes or programs that don’t charge fees for savings or put you at a disadvantage.

These are available through partnerships between some:

  • not for profit organisations
  • financial institutions.

The financial institution must be regulated and authorised under the Banking Act 1959. They must also hold an Australian Financial Services Licence.

Legal and professional services

You can set up a Centrepay deduction for these legal and professional services costs.

Legal and professional type Costs you can pay for
Court fines

court-imposed fines and expiration notices including paying compensation to victims of crime. You must contact the relevant Court Administrative Office in your state or territory to use Centrepay for these.

Court infringements Infringements, such as speeding or parking fines. You need to contact the relevant Court Administrative Office in your state or territory to use Centrepay for these.
Professional services

Professional services and related expenses including:

  • legal
  • accounting
  • financial planning
  • document costs relating to births, deaths and marriages.

Travel and transport

You can set up a Centrepay deduction for these travel and transport related costs.

Travel and transport type Costs you can pay for
Motor vehicle registration

Expenses related to vehicle registration including:

  • cars
  • motorbikes
  • caravans
  • boats and trailers
  • paying for compulsory third party insurance.
Travel and transport

Travel and transport costs and expenses including:

  • Return to Country program
  • general transportation costs
  • furniture removal and storage
  • vehicle repairs
  • fuel.

There are some items you can’t pay for with Centrepay.

Utilities and household related costs

Utilities

You can set up a Centrepay deduction for these utilities costs.

Utilities type Costs you can pay for
Council services

Expenses related to council services including:

  • land
  • water
  • sewerage.

Rates and other services provided by:

  • local councils
  • shires
  • authorities.
Local council community services Community service costs provided by local councils or shires.
Electricity Expenses related to use of electricity.
Gas Expenses related to use of mains or bottled gas.
Telecommunications

Expenses related to telecommunication services including:

  • fixed telephone line rental and use
  • mobile
  • internet
  • data services.
Water

Expenses related to connection and provision of water services.

There are some items you can’t pay for with Centrepay.

Household

You can set up a Centrepay deduction for these household costs.

Household type Costs you can pay for
Basic household items

Expenses related to the purchase of basic items for use by household members, such as:

  • clothing and footwear
  • small appliances
  • whitegoods
  • furniture
  • repair services for appliances and whitegoods.
Household goods lease and rental

Expenses related to rental of household goods. These include whitegoods, electrical and furniture, where:

  • the lease is regulated under the National Consumer Credit Protection Act 2009
  • the lessor holds an Australian Credit Licence.

There are some items you can’t pay for with Centrepay.

Food provision

Food and personal item related costs, including:

  • grocery and community store purchases
  • meals on wheels.

There are some items you can’t pay for with Centrepay.

Home care and trade services

Expenses related to home care services including:

  • domiciliary care
  • household maintenance
  • pest control
  • home security
  • technical aids
  • home modifications to assist mobility.

This includes trade services, such as:

  • electricians
  • technicians
  • plumbers
  • gardeners.
School nutrition Expenses related to community and school based nutritional programs for students.
Page last updated: 19 October 2022.
QC 37951

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