Centrelink $750 One-Off Payment 2025 — Full Eligibility & Payment Dates

Australians struggling with spiralling grocery bills, rent hikes, and power costs are set to get a rare piece of good news this September. The government has confirmed a $750 one-off Cost of Living Payment, due to hit eligible bank accounts from September 2025.

Unlike the biannual indexation increases to pensions and benefits, this is a special lump-sum grant aimed at providing immediate financial breathing room during one of the toughest years for household budgets in recent memory.

What Is the $750 One-Off Cost of Living Payment?

The $750 is a flat, tax-free payment delivered through Centrelink and Services Australia. It is not a loan, does not reduce any other benefits, and comes on top of regular entitlements such as the Age Pension, Disability Support Pension (DSP), or Carer Payment.

Funds will be automatically deposited into eligible recipients’ bank accounts (or issued by cheque for those not on direct deposit).

Why This Matters

Households on fixed or low incomes have been hit hardest by the surge in rent, electricity, transport, and food prices. For many, every dollar already has a destination. The one-off $750 provides:

• Immediate relief for essentials like groceries and bills.
• Flexibility: Recipients can spend it where it’s most needed.
• No application stress: Payments are automatic, avoiding red tape.
• Non-taxable status: The full amount lands in recipients’ hands.

Who Is Eligible?

Eligibility is determined automatically using Centrelink records. To qualify, you generally need to be:

• An Australian resident at the time of payment.
• Aged 18 or over (exceptions may apply for younger dependents).
• Receiving one of the following payments:
  • Age Pension
  • Disability Support Pension
  • Carer Payment
  • Veteran or service pension
  • Parenting Payment
  • Holding an eligible concession card (e.g., Pensioner Concession Card, Health Care Card, or Veterans’ Gold Card).

Income and asset tests linked to your existing benefits still apply, but there is no separate application process for this payment.

Payment Schedule

The $750 will begin rolling out in September 2025.

• Direct deposit: Most recipients should see funds within a few business days once processing starts.
• Cheque payments: Delivered later due to postal timeframes.

Payment Method	Expected Timing
Direct Deposit	Within 2–3 business days after release
Cheque	May take 1–2 weeks via mail

How to Prepare

To make sure you don’t miss out or face delays:

• Update details: Log into myGov and confirm your Centrelink account info, especially bank details.
• Check eligibility: Ensure you’re still listed as a current recipient of a qualifying payment.
• Ignore scams: No applications are needed; anyone asking you to “apply” for $750 is not legitimate.

Fact Check

• True: There is a confirmed $750 one-off cost-of-living payment in September 2025.
• False: It is not ongoing. This is a single lump sum, separate from the $700 Cost-of-Living Supplement announced earlier in the year.
• Clarification: This payment does not affect regular pensions or benefits — it comes on top of them.

Bottom Line

The $750 one-off Cost of Living Payment is a direct injection of relief for millions of Australians. While it won’t solve the long-term affordability crisis, it will ease pressure for households juggling essentials. For pensioners, carers, veterans, and low-income families, September’s payment offers breathing space at a time it’s needed most.

FAQs