Centrelink Christmas Shutdown: Payment and Reporting Changes for Millions

Photo Credits: AAP: Dan Peled

Centrelink service centres and most call centres across Australia will close for several days during the 2025 Christmas and New Year period, prompting shifts in payment and reporting schedules for recipients of government benefits.

The closures fall on Christmas Day, Thursday December 25, Boxing Day, Friday December 26, Monday December 29, and New Year’s Day, Thursday January 1, 2026.

Services Australia, which administers Centrelink, has adjusted dates so that millions of recipients may receive payments early, with reporting requirements moved forward in some cases to ensure funds arrive without delay.

Payments affected include Age Pension, JobSeeker Payment, Youth Allowance, ABSTUDY, Austudy, Carer Allowance, Disability Support Pension, and Parenting Payment.

For those who must report income, new reporting dates apply for periods originally set between December 22, 2025, and January 2, 2026.

As an example, a normal reporting date of Monday December 22 shifts to Friday December 19, with the revised payment landing on Monday December 22 and the next payment on Tuesday January 6.

A reporting date of Thursday December 25 moves to Tuesday December 23, with payment on Monday December 29 and the next on Monday January 12.

For Thursday January 1, reporting shifts to Wednesday December 31, with payment on Monday January 5 and the next on Monday January 19.

Services Australia has stated that recipients can check their specific dates through online accounts linked to myGov or the Express Plus mobile app.

"We want to help you plan so you still get paid. You may need to report your income early so we can pay you during these closures. We may pay you early," the agency said in its guidance.

For early reporting during an assessment period, individuals must include expected earnings for the full period and note any changes that could affect their entitlement. "If you make a mistake, you can correct your report within 14 days, or when you next report," Services Australia added.

Recipients who do not need to report may still get paid early, with the amount matching their usual sum but arriving ahead of schedule, and they should plan budgets to cover until the following payment.

"An early payment is your normal payment, just paid early. We won’t delay payments because of a public holiday, but we may pay you earlier than normal," the agency explained.

Income reporting remains possible on public holidays through online or app channels, but payments issued then will process after the holiday ends. "You can still report your income to Centrelink, even when it is closed.

However, if you do this on a public holiday you will be paid after the public holiday," according to Services Australia. Regular schedules resume on Friday January 2, 2026.

Similar adjustments have occurred in prior years. In 2023, Centrelink closed from December 25 to 27 and on January 1, leading to early reporting and payments for affected dates.

"Centrelink customers can check reporting and payment dates with their online account through myGov, or through the Express Plus Centrelink mobile app. Our digital and phone self-service options will be available 24/7," Services Australia said at the time.

In 2018, closures from December 25 to 27 and January 1 coincided with automated payment suspensions for some recipients who missed mandatory activities, despite rules exempting obligations during the period.

One single mother received a suspension notice on Christmas Day for the ParentsNext program and said, “It felt like a slap in the face to be cut off so ruthlessly on Christmas Day.”

The Department of Jobs and Small Business responded by automatically lifting suspensions and noted that individuals could contact a customer service line if needed.