Millions of Australian seniors and welfare recipients are being urged to review their December Centrelink schedules as the government rolls out early payment adjustments ahead of the holiday period. The Department of Social Services (DSS) confirmed that major payments, including the Age Pension, Carer Payment, and Disability Support Pension, will be issued earlier than usual to account for public holidays and office closures in late December.
The change, effective from December 10, 2025, means that some recipients may receive multiple deposits in December, while others will get their next regular payment later than normal in January 2026. Officials say this shift ensures every Australian relying on Centrelink support receives their money on time, without disruption caused by end-of-year closures.
Why Centrelink Payments Are Moving Earlier
Every year, Services Australia reviews its payment calendar to avoid complications from bank shutdowns and public holidays that fall between December 24 and January 1. Last-minute delays in previous years resulted in stress for thousands of Australians, especially those dependent on fixed incomes.
Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth said the 2025 update is designed to restore certainty during what can be a financially stressful time. “Our priority is to ensure all payments arrive early, giving Australians the peace of mind they need heading into the Christmas break,” she said in a statement.
Services Australia spokesperson Rachel Beaumont added that this adjustment helps older Australians, carers, and people living on the Disability Support Pension better manage essential expenses. “This is a proactive, planned change to prevent the types of delays we saw in 2023,” Beaumont explained.
Payments Affected by the December Adjustment
The early-release schedule covers all major Centrelink-managed programs, including:
- Age Pension
- Disability Support Pension
- Carer Payment and Carer Allowance
- JobSeeker Payment
- Parenting Payment
- Youth Allowance and Austudy
- Family Tax Benefit (Parts A and B)
- Veterans and War Widow Pensions
In total, more than six million Australians will be affected by the rescheduling, with specific adjustments depending on the type of payment and original due date.
Revised December Payment Dates
Under the updated December timetable, deposits originally due after December 23 will now be sent earlier to prevent delays caused by the Christmas and New Year period.
| Payment Type | Original Date | New Payment Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Age Pension | Dec 24 | Dec 17 | Paid early to cover holidays |
| Disability Support Pension | Dec 25 | Dec 18 | Adjusted for Christmas closures |
| Carer Payment | Dec 26 | Dec 18 | Combined with Carer Allowance for some |
| JobSeeker Payment | Dec 27 | Dec 19 | Paid one week early |
| Family Tax Benefit | Dec 28 | Dec 20 | Early release for families |
| Parenting Payment | Dec 23 | Dec 16 | Advanced to avoid bank closure |
| Youth Allowance / Austudy | Dec 24 | Dec 17 | Applicable for students |
| Veterans / War Widow Pension | Dec 30 | Dec 19 | Coordinated with Veterans’ Affairs |
All payments will appear under standard Centrelink reference codes, and recipients will receive automatic MyGov notifications or text alerts confirming their revised deposit dates starting December 3.
How to Check Your Payment Schedule
To verify when their next payment will arrive, seniors and carers should log in to MyGov or the Centrelink mobile app. Services Australia encourages all recipients to follow these steps:
- Log in to your MyGov account and open Services Australia – Centrelink.
- Select Payments and Claims from the main menu.
- Click Payment Summary or Upcoming Payments to view your next deposit date.
- Check your bank details listed under “Payment Preferences.”
“Outdated bank information is the number one cause of delayed payments,” said Beaumont. “We’re asking all seniors to double-check their details before December 6.”
Recipients who need assistance can contact Centrelink directly via the Older Australians Line (132 300) or visit a Services Australia service centre before December 20.
Why Some Seniors Will Receive Two Payments in December
Because of the early schedule, some seniors and fixed-income recipients will receive two deposits in December — one representing their usual fortnightly entitlement, and another covering what would normally fall in early January.
However, this is not an extra or bonus payment. It is the same entitlement issued earlier to prevent disruptions over the holidays.
Economist Dr. Liam Chan of the Grattan Institute advised recipients to plan their household budgets wisely. “Early payments can create the illusion of extra income,” he said. “Recipients should spread their spending to avoid financial strain before their next payment in mid-January.”
To assist with planning, Services Australia released a holiday payment calculator accessible via MyGov, allowing recipients to estimate when their next post-Christmas deposit will arrive.
December Supplements and One-Off Support
In addition to the revised timing, Centrelink recipients may also benefit from several automatic cost-of-living supplements releasing across December. These one-off payments are part of the government’s holiday assistance package.
| Payment Type | Eligible Recipients | Amount | Payment Date | Delivery Method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cost-of-Living Supplement | Pensioners, Carers, DSP recipients | $750 | Dec 17 | Direct deposit |
| Family Boost | Families receiving FTB | $400 | Dec 15 | Direct deposit |
| Energy Bonus | Concession and low-income cardholders | $250 | Dec 12–20 | Utility credit or deposit |
| Rent Assistance Increase | Linked to main benefit | Up to $92 | Dec 19 | Added to benefit |
These supplements are automatic and tax-free, with no application or income reporting required.
Scam Alerts and Payment Safety
With increased payment activity in December, Services Australia is cautioning recipients to remain alert for scam messages and phishing attempts. Fraudsters often impersonate Centrelink or MyGov through emails or texts requesting personal details.
To stay safe:
- Centrelink will never request bank details via text, email, or social media.
- Legitimate messages appear only in your MyGov inbox.
- Check for verified “.gov.au” email addresses.
- Report any suspicious messages to Scamwatch or the Services Australia fraud hotline.
“We see a surge in scam attempts during this period,” Beaumont noted. “If something looks suspicious, don’t click links — delete it and contact Centrelink directly.”
A Broader Shift Toward Stability
The December 2025 payment changes reflect a growing emphasis on predictability and stability within Australia’s social welfare system. As the cost of living continues to rise — with electricity up nearly 10% and grocery prices up over 6% this year — timely payments are crucial for financial security.
Minister Rishworth called the initiative part of the government’s ongoing effort to strengthen trust in support systems. “A delayed Centrelink deposit isn’t just an inconvenience for many people; it’s a crisis,” she said. “We’re committed to keeping payments reliable and predictable, especially for older Australians who depend on them.”
As December approaches, Centrelink recipients are encouraged to review their schedules, confirm their details, and plan ahead. The early payment arrangement ensures that this festive season, every Australian who relies on government support can enter the holidays with financial confidence and peace of mind.