You can choose when to start, change or stop using Centrepay.
You can use Centrepay for your regular bills and other expenses, such as rent and electricity.
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 are responsible for managing your Centrepay deductions.
You can only use Centrepay to pay a business approved with us.
You can find a list of businesses that use Centrepay in your area. Enter your location into the find a business or organisation search tool. It’ll show you a list of businesses near you.
We take out your Centrepay deductions from your Centrelink payment last. Other amounts we’ll deduct first are:
- participation penalty amounts and non-payment periods
- weekly payment amount if you get your payments weekly
- urgent and advance repayment amounts
- debt repayments
- child support payments
- tax amounts
- amounts directed to your Income Management account
- government housing rent deductions as part of the Rent Deduction Scheme.
Centrepay is free
Centrepay is always free for Centrelink customers. We never charge you to use Centrepay.
We charge approved businesses a transaction fee to use the Centrepay bill paying service.
From 1 July 2026, we’re charging all businesses a standard fee of $0.99 including GST per transaction.
Centrepay businesses can never:
- charge you for using Centrepay
- pass our fee on to you.
If you think a business has charged our fee to you, talk to them.
If you don’t accept their answer or you want to make a complaint, read about your rights.