There will be some changes to payments and services over the Easter and Anzac public holidays for Centrelink, Medicare and Child Support customers.
All service centres and most phone lines providing Centrelink, Medicare and Child Support services will be closed on Good Friday (19 April), Easter Monday (22 April) and Anzac Day (Thursday 25 April).
Centrelink online accounts and the Express Plus Centrelink mobile app will also be unavailable from 11pm on Thursday while we carry out important maintenance. They’ll be back up and running Sunday evening.
Department of Human Services General Manager Hank Jongen said payments won’t be delayed by the public holidays or maintenance but some people may have changes to their reporting dates.
“If you’re due to receive a payment on a national public holiday you may be paid beforehand so you will need to budget for a longer period between payment dates,” Mr Jongen said.
“I encourage people to check their reporting dates on our
website. They can also check when they need to report via phone self-service,
or through their Centrelink online accounts before 11pm Thursday night.
“People who report early will need to estimate their earnings for their normal
14-day assessment period. This is because, while reporting dates may be
different, the assessment period remains the same.
“If you make a mistake, you can correct your estimate within 14 days, or when
you next report.
“There are no changes to Child Support arrangements, however payments made after 18 April may be delayed by public holidays.
“People can continue to lodge Medicare claims at their doctor’s office or using self-service. Critical services for Medicare providers such as organ donor and PBS authorities will remain available over this period.”
People can still transfer funds to their BasicsCard over the public holidays by calling 1800 132 594 between 8am–5pm. BasicsCard balances can be checked at any time by calling 1800 057 111.
Find out more about holiday period reporting and payment dates at humanservices.gov.au/holidays.
Media contact: 1800 531 991
The Department of Human Services has special arrangements in place over the Easter and Anzac public holidays. Service centres and most of our phone lines which provide Centrelink, Medicare and Child Support services will all be closed on Good Friday, Easter Monday and Anzac Day.
If you want to find out how public holiday closures, reporting and payment dates may affect you. Go to humanservices.gov.au/holidays