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Member of a couple / De facto
Rates of payment can vary according to whether or not you are considered to be “a member of a couple”.
It is important to keep Centrelink informed of your living arrangements.
Providing false information can have serious consequences: debt or even prosecution.
You are a “member of a couple” if you are in a “de facto relationship”.
Centrelink has its own meaning of “de facto relationship”.
Both opposite-sex and same-sex couples can be in a “de facto relationship”.
Why is Centrelink interested in my private life?
show moreYour Centrelink payment may be affected according to whether Centrelink assesses you as single or in a couple.
- The maximum rate of pension or allowance is generally lower for a person who is a member of a couple.
- The income and assets of a person’s partner are assessable under income and assets tests.
- Your eligibility for a payment can be affected by whether or not you are a member of a couple.
How does Centrelink decide if we are a couple?
show moreCentrelink must consider all the circumstances of the relationship.
Centrelink considers a list of factors to form a picture of the relationship.
The factors cover:
- Financial arrangements
- Accommodation and domestic arrangements
- Social relationship
- Sexual relationship
- Relationship with children
- Commitment to each other
Asking yourself questions about the factors of a relationship will help you to get an idea of whether you are a member of a couple from Centrelink’s point of view.
What are the factors of a relationship?
show moreThese are the factors Centrelink considers when determining whether you are a member of a couple.
What is a "review"?
show moreCentrelink may decide to investigate whether a “single” customer is actually in a “de facto relationship”.
Centrelink may ask you to complete an “Assessment of Living Arrangements” form.
Do I have to complete the "Assessment of Living Arrangements" form?
show moreYes you do.
Failure to complete and return the form could result in your payment being suspended.
How does Centrelink investigate relationships?
show moreCentrelink has wide powers to investigate.
Centrelink can ask you and your “partner” questions.
If you refuse to answer the questions your payments can be suspended. If this happens you can appeal.
Centrelink can also contact other institutions and services to ask about your relationship. They may contact banks, your employer, Australia Post, utilities providers, Queensland Transport and government departments such as Immigration or Tax.
Centrelink may visit your home. You do not have to let them in. You have the right to have the interview at a Centrelink office.
If Centrelink asks you to provide a signed statement, you have at least seven days to consider this.
Do they have the right to ask me personal questions?
show moreYes they do. Refusing to answer Centrelink’s questions may result in your payment being suspended.
If this happens, you can appeal.
Common Relationship Scenarios
show moreHe’s just my boyfriend, he’s not my “de-facto”
The Centrelink concept of what it means to be in a relationship may not be the same as your own.
Centrelink considers how your relationship measures up against several “factors”.
We were a couple, but we’re taking a bit of time out...
For you to be paid at the single rate, it must be a permanent separation.
Our relationship has ended, but I’ve no-where else to go….
Where there are strong reasons why you have to continue to share accommodation, it is possible to be assessed as “separated under the one roof” and paid at the single rate.
You will need to show Centrelink what has changed since you were a couple.
You will also need to show Centrelink that the change is permanent.
But we don’t have sex anymore…
The Centrelink concept of what it means to be in a relationship may not be the same as your own.
Centrelink considers how your relationship measures up against several “factors”.
Centrelink considers these factors to form a picture of the relationship:
- Financial arrangements
- Accommodation and domestic arrangements
- Social relationship
- Sexual relationship
- Relationship with children
- Commitment to each other
Things aren’t that good between us – it’s not what I’d call a “relationship”…
The Centrelink concept of what it means to be in a relationship may not be the same as your own.
Centrelink is not concerned with whether you think your relationship isn’t a good one.
What matters is how your relationship measures up against their criteria.
Centrelink considers a list of factors to form a picture of the relationship:
- Financial arrangements
- Accommodation and domestic arrangements
- Social relationship
- Sexual relationship
- Relationship with children
- Commitment to each other
Grandad’s in a nursing home and grandma visits every day…
They may be able to be paid at the “Illness Separated Couple” rate.
For more information about this, contact:
- Centrelink
- Your local Welfare Rights Centre
Centrelink says I'm in a :de facto relationship: and they've cancelled my payments...
If you believe you are not in a “de facto relationship” you can appeal and you can ask for “payment pending review” at the same time.
If Centrelink grants payment pending review, they will continue to pay you, while they consider whether the decision to assess you as partnered was correct.
If Centrelink still believes that you are a member of a couple, you may incur a debt for the period you received payment pending review.
I'm moving in with my girlfriend - should I tell Centrelink?
It is important to keep Centrelink informed of your living arrangements.
If Centrelink then decides that you are a member of a couple and you disagree, you can appeal.
Not keeping Centrelink informed, or providing false information can have serious consequences: debt or even prosecution.
Where can I get further information or help?
show moreFactsheet: Member of a couple or single?
Factsheet: Declaring your same-sex relationship to Centrelink
Factsheet: Appeals – how to appeal against a Centrelink decision
On this site: Disagree with Centrelink?
Contact your local Welfare Rights Centre
Contact Centrelink
The Welfare Rights Centre would like to thank the National Welfare Rights Network for permitting the links to their factsheets and self-help materials.