If you are facing an unexpected expense—like a car repair, a large utility bill, or buying a new fridge—you may be able to get a portion of your future Centrelink payments paid to you upfront. This is known as a Centrelink Advance Payment.
An advance payment is not an extra grant or a bonus; it is an interest-free loan from your own future entitlements. Centrelink will deduct a set amount from your fortnightly pay over the next 6 months to recover the advance.
Who is Eligible for an Advance?
To get an advance, you must have been receiving an eligible Centrelink payment for at least 3 months. Eligible payments include Age Pension, DSP, Carer Payment, JobSeeker, Youth Allowance, and Family Tax Benefit Part A.
You will be rejected for an advance if:
- You already owe a debt to the Australian Government.
- You are currently repaying a previous advance.
- Centrelink determines you cannot afford the fortnightly repayments without suffering severe financial hardship.
How Much Can You Get?
The amount you can get depends on the type of payment you receive.
For Pensioners (Age Pension, DSP, Carer Payment)
You can get one to three advances in a 6-month period, up to a maximum combined total. In 2026, the amounts are roughly:
- Minimum: ~$500
- Maximum (Single): ~$1,450
- Maximum (Couple each): ~$1,100
For Allowance Recipients (JobSeeker, Youth Allowance)
You can only get one advance in a 12-month period. The amount is strictly capped:
- Minimum: $250
- Maximum: $500
For Family Tax Benefit Part A
You can request a regular advance of your FTB Part A. The maximum amount is 7.5% of your standard annual rate, capped at approximately $1,250.
How to Apply
The fastest way to apply is through the Express Plus Centrelink app or your myGov online account. Go to the 'Apply for an Advance' section. The system will instantly calculate how much you are eligible for and show you exactly how much your fortnightly payments will be reduced by.
If approved online, the money is usually deposited into your bank account within 2 business days.