Changes to payment systems can often go unnoticed—until they suddenly impact how you manage your money.

A quiet update from a major government agency could affect the way you repay debts in person.

Here’s what you need to know before the new rules come into effect.


A quiet but important shift was about to change how some Australians managed their Centrelink debts—particularly those who preferred to handle things in person.

Services Australia confirmed that from 12 June, a new rule would take effect at all Australia Post outlets, impacting anyone who used them to make over-the-counter repayments.

‘From 12 June 2025, the minimum amount you can repay to us at Australia Post will increase to $5,’ Services Australia announced.


That meant anyone hoping to make smaller repayments—like a few dollars here and there—would need to reconsider their approach.

The announcement continued: ‘You’ll only be able to make a debt repayment over the counter at Australia Post if the amount is $5 or more.’

This applied to all payment types made through Australia Post, including cash, cheque, EFTPOS and credit card.

For some, it might have seemed like a minor change, but it had the potential to disrupt routines for people used to paying in smaller increments.

Other repayment options, however, remained unchanged. Those using direct debit, BPAY or Australia Post’s online Post Billpay service could continue making repayments of any amount—there was no minimum threshold for those methods.

While paying off debts using a credit card might seem convenient, Services Australia reminded Australians that their financial institutions could still impose extra charges. These could include interest or cash advance fees, which would only add to the debt load.


In addition to this shift, Services Australia had already made another adjustment late last year.

On 19 December, the agency stopped accepting foreign currency cheques and money orders as repayment methods altogether.

Although Centrelink still issued cheques for payments, recipients often experienced delays of up to two weeks compared to the speed of direct deposit.


For those with debts, Services Australia continued to offer flexible repayment arrangements—including full payments, scheduled installments, and automatic deductions from ongoing Centrelink payments.

Australians were urged to consider which method worked best for their situation—particularly if they regularly paid smaller amounts or relied on in-person services.

You can find out more about repaying money owed here.

If changes like the new $5 minimum have you wondering what else might be shifting with Centrelink, you're not alone.


Have you ever found that the old way of doing things suddenly doesn’t work like it used to? Let us know how this change might affect the way you manage your Centrelink payments.