• Crisis Payment is a one-off payment for people in “severe financial hardship” who are experiencing certain extreme, difficult circumstances.
• You will not have to pay Centrelink back, as you would an Advance or Urgent payment.

• You may be able to get Crisis Payment if:
  • you are in “severe financial hardship”, and already receiving or eligible for another Centrelink pension or benefit, AND:
    • you are forced to leave your home and establish a new home due to an “extreme circumstance” such as:
      • domestic or family violence
      • abuse
      • fire or flood damage
      • other extreme reasons, or
    • you are remaining in your home after the removal of a family member due to domestic or family violence, or
    • you are released from prison, or an involuntary period in a psychiatric hospital (related to being charged with an offence), or
    • you entered Australia for the first time on a qualifying humanitarian visa on or after 1 January 2008.
• More than one family member in the household may get a Crisis Payment if they have all experienced domestic or family violence.

• Contact Centrelink as soon as possible to “register your intent to claim”.
  • You can do this by phone.
• You will need to:
  •  fill in a claim form
  • provide proof of identity
  • tell Centrelink about the event that has led to you needing a Crisis Payment

• The time-limits for claiming Crisis Payment are very short.
• You must contact Centrelink to “register your intent to claim” Crisis Payment within 7 days of:
  • leaving your home due to an “extreme circumstance”
    • The date you “left home” is taken as the date you decided you could not return.
      • For example: You have to leave your home due to flooding. When you return, you realise that the repairs will take several months, so you will have to find somewhere else to live in the meantime. This is the date you “left” home.
  • a family member leaving or being removed due to domestic violence
  • your being released from prison or from an involuntary period in a psychiatric hospital (related to being charged with an offence)
    • you can also register your intent to claim up to 21 days beforehand
  • arriving in Australia, for holders of humanitarian visas

• Crisis Payment is equal to one week of your Centrelink income support payment.
  • This does not include Rent Assistance or payments for children.



• If you have to leave home due to extreme circumstances or domestic violence:
  • You can get 4 Crisis Payments in a 12-month period
• If you are released from prison or a psychiatric hospital:
  • There is no limit to how many Crisis Payments you may get.
• If you are a “humanitarian” entrant:
  • you can only get 1 payment.

• This is a form of loan for people who are receiving a Centrelink payment.
• You will have to pay it back over 6 months.
  • Repayments start automatically
  • You can also make extra repayments
• The amount you can get depends on the type and rate of payment you receive.
  • Contact Centrelink for information about the amount you can claim.
• You do not have to be in crisis to get an Advance Payment.
• You will need to show Centrelink you can afford to repay the money.
• You can claim by phone, on-line or at your local Centrelink.
• If you owe Centrelink money, either from a debt or a previous advance, you will not be able to get an Advance Payment.

• An Urgent Payment is part of your income support payment which is paid before your usual payday.
• You have to provide proof that you are suffering financial hardship due to exceptional and unforeseencircumstances, such as:
  • loss of possessions due to fire or flood or theft
  • medical emergencies and medication
  • expenses relating to a new job, such as essential clothing
• To claim, phone the Centrelink customer call centre.
• Centrelink will consider if alternative assistance is available before granting an Urgent Payment. 

• Centrelink can give you an “emergency relief” referral for groceries or clothing.
• Centrelink social workers can:
  •  offer counselling and support
  • provide referrals to community services



• You can appeal.
• Contact your local Welfare Rights Centre for help with this.

• Factsheet: Crisis Payment
• Factsheet: Appeals – how to appeal against a Centrelink decision
• Contact your local Welfare Rights Centre