Centrepay
Centrepay is a free bill paying service offered by Services Australia. People can choose to have amounts deducted from their Centrelink payment to pay for certain expenses.
Around 600,000 people use Centrepay to help them manage their money. Most are using it to help cover accommodation expenses like rent, and utilities, like gas, electricity and council rate bills.
The service can also be used to pay for other important expenses, such as school fees, child care, and medical services. It can be used to pay for food in remote areas, but only at community stores, such as supermarkets and grocery stores.
Centrepay is a completely voluntary service, for both businesses and their customers. There are about 10,000 businesses approved to offer Centrepay as a payment option to their customers.
Once you’ve set up a Centrepay deduction, we take money from your Centrelink payment and send it to the business you want to pay. This means your available payment balance is reduced by the Centrepay amount.
You’re in control as well. You can manage your Centrepay deductions and can choose to change or stop them at any time.
No Interest Loans
Centrepay is a tool to help manage your bills, but life doesn’t always go to plan and sometimes unexpected expenses pop up when we can least afford them.
If you’re on a low income, you might be able to get a No Interest Loan from Good Shepherd.
With a No Interest Loan, you only pay back what you borrow. There aren’t any hidden fees or charges.
You can borrow up to $2,000 for essentials like appliances, furniture, a new laptop, car repairs and medical and dental services.
You can also borrow up to $3,000 for a bond on a new rental property or if you’re recovering from a natural disaster.
To be eligible for a loan, you need to have a Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card or earn less than $70,000 per annum if you’re single or $100,000 per annum if you have a partner or dependents.
You can also apply for a loan if you’ve experienced family or domestic violence in the last 10 years.
You must be able to show you can afford to repay the loan, and you need to have been living in your current address for a minimum of 3 months.
Loans cannot be used for cash, bills, rent or debts. If approved, the provider will pay directly to the supplier.
Getting financial help and information
If you’re going through a hard time financially, help is available. The Services Australia website has free financial help and information, including details of how to find a financial counsellor, get help with debt and find support in your community.
Until next time.
Hank Jongen
General Manager
Services Australia