Telling Centrelink

You should check if you need to tell Centrelink about your new relationship.

If you get a Centrelink payment you must tell Centrelink if you are in (or start a new) de facto relationship. It may affect the amount you receive.

It is better to tell them right away as there are penalties for not doing so, like having your benefits cut, fines or even imprisonment. If you do not let Centrelink know, you will have to repay any benefits you have received that you are not entitled to.