The Guides to Social Policy Law is a collection of publications designed to assist decision makers administering social policy law. The information contained in this publication is intended only as a guide to relevant legislation/policy. The information is accurate as at the date listed at the bottom of the page, but may be subject to change. To discuss individual circumstances please contact Services Australia.

3.3.1.60 Notification & recipient obligations for PA

Note: PA ceased on 1 January 2022. The following information is for historical purposes only.

Notifiable events for PA

The common notifiable events apply to PA recipients.

Policy reference: SS Guide 3.1.3 Notification & recipient obligations

Reporting methods

A PA recipient can be required to give information to Centrelink in one or both of 2 different ways. The first way is that all recipients are required to report if a specified event or circumstance change occurs or is likely to occur - notification reporters (1.1.N.126). The second way is that some recipients are also required to give a statement about a specified matter, and sometimes to give a separate statement for each of several specified periods - statement reporters (1.1.S.350).

Act reference: SS(Admin)Act section 68 Person receiving social security payment or holding concession card

Overpayment of PA

If PA is overpaid because of a false statement or failure to notify by the PA recipient's partner, then the PA recipient will ALSO incur a debt.

Act reference: SSAct section 1224AB Joint and several liability for persons involved in contravention of Act

Provision of statement

A PA recipient does NOT need to provide a statement if their partner is required to do so.

PA recipients who are statement reporters must provide a statement in order for payment to continue, as described in the following table.

If the PA recipient or their partner … a statement is provided …

has varying income

Example: Income from casual employment.

fortnightly.
does NOT have varying income once every 6 months.

Explanation: These forms are known as 6 monthly entitlement reviews.

Policy reference: SS Guide 6.2.2.10 PA reviews

Late lodgement of statements

PA will be cancelled if a statement is not provided 14 days after the due date. However, if special circumstances exist the payment MAY be restored. When a recipient is very late reporting, the following information should be considered to determine if special circumstances apply:

  • The reasons for the late reporting. The longer the delay, the greater the need to provide detailed reasons to account for the delay for the full period.
  • Whether Centrelink contributed in any way to the delay (see example 1).
  • Other mitigating or extenuating factors that may call for a more generous approach (see example 2).
  • The plausibility of the reasons for the delay.
  • Whether the recipient belongs to a disadvantaged group (see example 3).

Example 1: By not giving specific information when requested to do so, or by giving incorrect information.

Example 2: Unexpected telecommunication problems, for example, phone service is down due to storms, or if the recipient has been indisposed.

Example 3: They are a migrant with low level of English comprehension or an Indigenous Australian.

If payment is cancelled and the reason for late lodgement is not due to special circumstances payment cannot be regranted. If the person still needs income support they will need to claim an alternate payment.

Policy reference: SS Guide 3.3.1.70 Continuation, variation or termination of PA

Last reviewed: