If you are receiving a Centrelink payment and decide to travel outside of Australia, you must understand the "portability rules." These rules dictate whether your payment continues while you are away, or whether it stops the moment your flight departs.
Crucial Rule: You must notify Centrelink of your travel plans before you leave Australia. Centrelink is linked to the Department of Home Affairs and knows the exact moment your passport is scanned at the airport.
Payments That Stop Immediately (JobSeeker, Youth Allowance)
If you are on an allowance-rate payment like JobSeeker Payment or Youth Allowance, your payment will generally stop on the day you leave Australia.
These payments require you to be in Australia actively looking for work or studying. You cannot fulfill mutual obligations while on holiday in Bali. Your payment will remain suspended while you are away, and you must contact Centrelink to restore it when you return.
Exceptions: You may be paid overseas for up to 6 weeks only if you are travelling for an approved reason, such as attending an acute family crisis (e.g., a funeral of an immediate family member) or seeking eligible medical treatment not available in Australia.
Payments That Continue Temporarily (DSP, Carer Payment)
If you receive the Disability Support Pension (DSP) or Carer Payment, you can usually travel overseas for a short holiday and continue to be paid for up to 4 weeks (28 days) in a 12-month period.
If you stay overseas longer than 4 weeks, your payment will be suspended. If you have a severe impairment (assessed under manifest rules), you may be able to apply for unlimited portability of your DSP.
Payments That Continue Long-Term (Age Pension)
The Age Pension is the most flexible payment for travel. You can generally travel overseas for up to 26 weeks without your payment changing.
If you stay overseas for more than 26 weeks, your Age Pension will be adjusted based on your "Australian Working Life Residence" (AWLR). If you lived and worked in Australia for 35 years or more, your pension will not decrease. If you lived in Australia for less than 35 years, your pension will be reduced proportionally.
What Happens to Rent Assistance?
Regardless of which payment you are on, Rent Assistance will generally stop if you are overseas for more than 26 weeks.
How to Notify Centrelink
You can tell Centrelink about your travel plans up to 12 weeks before you leave. The easiest way is via your myGov account: select Travel outside Australia and enter your departure and return dates. The system will instantly tell you how your specific payment will be affected.