Millions of Aussies to receive Centrelink payments early ahead of Christmas shutdown

By FREDDY PAWLE FOR DAILY MAIL AUSTRALIA

Published: | Updated:

Aussies who receive Centrelink payments have been urged to check when their reporting dates are over the holiday period.

Centrelink offices will be shut December 25-29 and will briefly reopen for two days the following week before closing again on Wednesday January 1.

Recipients who would usually have been paid across the Christmas break will get their payments early on December 17.

Those who were to be paid on New Year's Day will get their payments the day before on January 31.

Services Australia added that staff 'want to help you plan so you still get paid'.

'You may need to report your income early so we can pay you during these closures,' its website reads.

Further changes have been made to reporting dates for those who receive the age and disability support pensions, Youth Allowance, Jobseeker and Austudy.

Normal payments and reporting dates will resume on January 2. 

Millions of Aussies will receive their Centrelink payments early this year due to the closure of Services Australia offices over the holiday period (stock image)

Millions of Aussies will receive their Centrelink payments early this year due to the closure of Services Australia offices over the holiday period (stock image)

To receive the early Centrelink payment, Aussies need to check if their reporting date has also been changed (stock image)

To receive the early Centrelink payment, Aussies need to check if their reporting date has also been changed (stock image)

 Aussies can still file reports while offices are shut over the holiday period, which will be processed when staff return.

Services Australia warned that some smaller sites in rural and regional areas 'may have extended closures.

Recipients have also been warned to be weary of scammers mimicking Services Australia and offering bonus Centrelink payments.

The fake information includes 'one-off' or 'cost-of-living' payments worth varying amounts up to $5000.

'People are sharing these websites on social media, thinking the information is real,' Services Australia warned.

'If the website URL doesn’t end in .gov.au then it isn’t an official government website. It could be a scam.'

Those unsure are urged to search the genuine Services Australia website.

Others have also reported receiving calls from scammers impersonating an employee of Services Australia claiming they owe Centrelink money.

The scammers then often threaten the victim with arrest if they don't promptly pay them  in bank transfers, gift cards or cryptocurrency.

Most watched News videos