Centrelink moves to clear confusion over supposed bonus payouts
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If you’ve been scrolling online recently, chances are you’ve stumbled across headlines touting a so-called 'one-off' Centrelink cash boost—sometimes quoting amounts as high as $250 or even $1,300.
It’s the kind of claim that spreads fast, especially when household budgets are tighter than ever.
But before you start counting that money, it’s worth taking a closer look at what’s really going on.
Unfortunately, these stories are almost always too good to be true. Services Australia, the government agency responsible for Centrelink payments, has officially shut down the latest round of rumours.
Hank Jongen, a spokesperson for Services Australia, addressed the speculation directly: ‘We haven’t made any announcements about any one-off or additional bonus payments, and I’m worried this might be a scam.’
So, where do these rumours come from? Often, they start with a dodgy website or a viral social media post claiming that the government is about to hand out extra cash to pensioners, jobseekers, students, and families.
The most recent example claimed that two payments—one for $250 and another for $1,300—would be delivered in September and October to help with rising costs.
The article even listed a 'broad range' of eligible recipients and tried to sound official by mentioning rent, utilities, and food prices.
But here’s the truth: these articles are rarely based on real information. In fact, they’re often designed to do one of two things—either steal your personal details by funnelling you to a fraudulent website, or simply attract clicks for advertising revenue.
Scammers are getting more sophisticated, but there are still some tell-tale signs to watch out for.
Services Australia warns Aussies to be wary of websites and messages that use buzzwords like: Cash relief, new bonus, one-off payment, payment rates are increasing, new eligibility, proof of identity, revalidation
If you see these phrases—especially if they’re not on an official government website—take a step back.
Always check for the ‘.gov.au’ in the web address. That’s your best guarantee you’re dealing with the real deal.
And if you’re ever unsure about a payment or a new rule, don’t rely on what you see on social media or in your inbox.
Go straight to the source: the official Services Australia website or their verified social media channels. That’s where you’ll find accurate, up-to-date information.
Another common scam tactic is to scare people into handing over their details by threatening to cancel your payments or hit you with a fine if you don’t comply with new 'requirements.'
Services Australia has seen a rise in these types of messages, but they want to reassure everyone: ‘They’ll tell you they’ll cancel your payments or that you’ll get a fine or debt. This isn’t true.’
If you ever receive a message like this, don’t click any links or provide any personal information. Instead, contact Services Australia directly to check if there’s any real issue with your payments.
While there’s no secret cash boost on the way, there is some good news for those relying on Centrelink.
From 20 September, more than five million Australians—including Age Pensioners, JobSeeker recipients, ABSTUDY students, Parenting Payment recipients, those on Commonwealth Rent Assistance, Disability Support Pension, and Carer Payment—will see their regular payments increase.
This isn’t a one-off bonus, but rather a scheduled adjustment to keep payments in line with inflation. According to COTA Australia CEO Patricia Sparrow, this is one of the biggest increases in recent years.
‘The idea that all older Australians are wealthy is a myth. In reality, over one in four live in poverty. For those struggling with skyrocketing costs, an extra $29.70 a fortnight will bring real relief,’ she said.
If you want to see exactly how much your payment is set to go up, you can check the official Services Australia website for the latest rates.
Have you received any suspicious messages about Centrelink payments? Did you spot a scam before it was too late, or did you get caught out? Share your experiences in the comments below.
Read more: Centrelink closures and payment changes set to impact millions this Easter and Anzac Day
It’s the kind of claim that spreads fast, especially when household budgets are tighter than ever.
But before you start counting that money, it’s worth taking a closer look at what’s really going on.
Unfortunately, these stories are almost always too good to be true. Services Australia, the government agency responsible for Centrelink payments, has officially shut down the latest round of rumours.
Hank Jongen, a spokesperson for Services Australia, addressed the speculation directly: ‘We haven’t made any announcements about any one-off or additional bonus payments, and I’m worried this might be a scam.’
Services Australia has rejected online claims of a 'one-off' Centrelink cash boost, cautioning that such rumours are often false and may be linked to scams. Credit: Facebook
So, where do these rumours come from? Often, they start with a dodgy website or a viral social media post claiming that the government is about to hand out extra cash to pensioners, jobseekers, students, and families.
The most recent example claimed that two payments—one for $250 and another for $1,300—would be delivered in September and October to help with rising costs.
The article even listed a 'broad range' of eligible recipients and tried to sound official by mentioning rent, utilities, and food prices.
But here’s the truth: these articles are rarely based on real information. In fact, they’re often designed to do one of two things—either steal your personal details by funnelling you to a fraudulent website, or simply attract clicks for advertising revenue.
Scammers are getting more sophisticated, but there are still some tell-tale signs to watch out for.
Services Australia warns Aussies to be wary of websites and messages that use buzzwords like: Cash relief, new bonus, one-off payment, payment rates are increasing, new eligibility, proof of identity, revalidation
If you see these phrases—especially if they’re not on an official government website—take a step back.
Always check for the ‘.gov.au’ in the web address. That’s your best guarantee you’re dealing with the real deal.
And if you’re ever unsure about a payment or a new rule, don’t rely on what you see on social media or in your inbox.
Another common scam tactic is to scare people into handing over their details by threatening to cancel your payments or hit you with a fine if you don’t comply with new 'requirements.'
Services Australia has seen a rise in these types of messages, but they want to reassure everyone: ‘They’ll tell you they’ll cancel your payments or that you’ll get a fine or debt. This isn’t true.’
If you ever receive a message like this, don’t click any links or provide any personal information. Instead, contact Services Australia directly to check if there’s any real issue with your payments.
While there’s no secret cash boost on the way, there is some good news for those relying on Centrelink.
From 20 September, more than five million Australians—including Age Pensioners, JobSeeker recipients, ABSTUDY students, Parenting Payment recipients, those on Commonwealth Rent Assistance, Disability Support Pension, and Carer Payment—will see their regular payments increase.
This isn’t a one-off bonus, but rather a scheduled adjustment to keep payments in line with inflation. According to COTA Australia CEO Patricia Sparrow, this is one of the biggest increases in recent years.
‘The idea that all older Australians are wealthy is a myth. In reality, over one in four live in poverty. For those struggling with skyrocketing costs, an extra $29.70 a fortnight will bring real relief,’ she said.
If you want to see exactly how much your payment is set to go up, you can check the official Services Australia website for the latest rates.
Read more: Centrelink closures and payment changes set to impact millions this Easter and Anzac Day
