Express Plus Centrelink mobile app help - Apply for an advance payment

Instructions on how to apply for an advance payment using the Express Plus Centrelink mobile app.

The screenshots in this guide are from an iOS device. Some screens may look different if you’re using an Android device.

Read more about advance payment options including eligibility.

If you are getting the Home Equity Scheme, there are different rules that apply to the Home Equity Scheme advance payment.

Step 1: get started

Select More from your home screen.

Select Advances.

If you already have an advance payment, the Advance Payment screen will show:

  • your Current Advances
  • the type of advance
  • the outstanding balance
  • when your advance started.

If you need help, select the question mark icon.

Step 2: apply for an advance

To apply for an advance, select Apply Now.

If you aren’t eligible to apply for an advance payment, we’ll tell you why. Select Dismiss to go back to the Advance Payment screen.

If you’re eligible, the advances you can apply for will show.

Select the advance you want to apply for, then the tick icon.

Select Affordability amount.

Enter how much money you have left over every fortnight after paying all your regular expenses. Regular expenses include food, rent, travel, electricity and phone, Centrelink repayments and all ongoing expenses and payments.

Enter the amount in dollars and cents, including the decimal point.

Then select Done.

We’ll tell you how much money you can apply for.

The amount you apply for must be within the advance amount available range. To choose your advance amount, select Advance amount.

Enter the Advance amount you want in dollars and cents, including the decimal point.

Then select Done.

Depending on the type of advance, you can get your advance payment once or split into 2 payments. We call the payments your instalments.

If you want us to pay you in one instalment, we’ll pay you in the next 2 business days.

If you’re applying for a Family Tax Benefit advance, we can only pay this in one instalment.

Select either One instalment or Two instalments.

One instalment

If you choose one instalment, go to step 3.

Two instalments

If you choose two instalments you’ll need to enter the amount of your first instalment in dollars and cents, including the decimal point.

Then, select the date you want us to pay your second instalment. This date must be within 6 months of your first instalment.

Then select the tick icon.

Step 3: review and submit

We’ll give you a summary of the details you’ve provided and your Fortnightly repayment amount.

We take your repayment from the amount we’d normally pay you. You don’t need to do anything to set this up.

Read the details on this screen and make sure they’re correct.

If you need to make changes, select the arrow icon.

To submit your application, select the tick icon.

One Instalment

Two Instalments

Read the declaration. If you understand and agree with the declaration, select I accept and submit.

We’ll tell you your advance was successful.

Select OK.

Get receipt

We’ll give you a receipt to let you know your advance has been successful. Make a note of the Receipt number for your records.

You don’t need to contact us about your advance payment unless we ask you to.

Select the home icon to go back to the More screen.

Step 4: sign out

For your privacy and security, sign out when you’ve finished using the app.

To sign out, select Sign out from the More screen.

View other online account and Express Plus mobile app guides and video demonstrations about using your online account.

Page last updated: 12 December 2022.
QC 51305

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