How do I notify Centrelink of a death in Australia?

Call Centrelink on 132 300 as soon as possible after the death. Have the deceased's Centrelink Customer Reference Number (CRN) ready. You can also notify Services Australia online via myGov. Source: Services Australia servicesaustralia.gov.au.

What is the Centrelink Bereavement Payment?

The Bereavement Payment is a lump-sum payment from Services Australia for eligible partners, carers, or people whose payments are affected by the death of someone close. It provides temporary income support after the loss. Source: Services Australia.

How long does the Centrelink bereavement period last?

The bereavement period is 14 weeks from the date of death. During this time, some payments continue or change. You must notify Centrelink within 14 weeks to receive bereavement payments. Source: Services Australia.

Can I still receive Centrelink payments after my partner dies?

Existing payments like the Age Pension may continue at the same or a different rate for up to 14 weeks after your partner's death. After that, payments are reassessed based on your individual circumstances. Source: Services Australia.

Centrelink Bereavement Payment — How to Claim After Someone Dies in Australia

The Centrelink Bereavement Payment provides vital financial support to people whose income is affected when someone close to them dies. Acting within the 14-week window is critical — late claims may be rejected or result in missed payments.

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Official source

All information sourced from Services Australia — Bereavement Payment. Eligibility and payment rates change — verify directly with Centrelink.

Step 1 — Notify Centrelink immediately

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Call 132 300 — have the CRN ready
Call Centrelink on 132 300 (Mon–Fri 8am–5pm local time). Have the deceased's Centrelink Customer Reference Number (CRN) if possible. You can also notify via myGov if you have access to their linked account. Notify as soon as possible — within 14 weeks at the latest. Source: Services Australia
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Ask about overpayments
If the deceased received Centrelink payments after their date of death (e.g. fortnightly deposits that continued), these may need to be repaid to Services Australia. They will advise you. Source: Services Australia

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14-week deadline

You must claim bereavement payments within 14 weeks of the death. Claims made after this period are generally not accepted. Don't delay.

Step 2 — Who qualifies

Who died	Who can claim	Payment type
Pension/payment recipient	Surviving partner	Bereavement Payment (lump sum) or continued payments for up to 14 weeks
Your partner (any age)	You (survivor)	Bereavement Allowance (up to 14 weeks) — if not already on income support
A child you cared for	Carer	Carer Payment continues for up to 14 weeks
Any person	Executor/family	Unpaid payments owed to the deceased (arrears)

Source: Services Australia servicesaustralia.gov.au/bereavement-payment

Step 3 — What happens to existing payments

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Age Pension — if your partner received Age Pension, your own pension may increase (if you were getting the couples rate) or payments may continue for 14 weeks at the combined rate. Source: Services Australia

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Disability Support Pension (DSP) — if the deceased received DSP, the payment stops from date of death. Bereavement payment may apply to surviving partner.

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Family Tax Benefit — notify Services Australia if a child in your family has died. Payments will be reassessed.

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Rent Assistance — reassessed after 14-week bereavement period. Your rate may change if you move or live alone.

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Medicare / Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) — notify Medicare (also via Services Australia) to cancel the deceased's Medicare card and update your own concession card entitlements.

Step 4 — Documents Centrelink needs

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Death certificate — or interim notice from the funeral home or coroner.

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Your identity documents — if claiming for yourself, current driver licence or passport.

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Deceased's CRN — if you have it. Helps process faster.

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Completed claim form — Centrelink may send you a bereavement claim form to complete. Available at servicesaustralia.gov.au or any Services Australia service centre.

Afterward

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Frequently asked questions

Centrelink bereavement FAQs

Call 132 300 as soon as possible. Have the deceased's CRN and date of death ready. You can also notify via myGov if you have access to their linked account. Source: Services Australia.

It's a temporary payment to help surviving partners and carers during the 14-week bereavement period. The amount depends on the payments the deceased was receiving. Source: servicesaustralia.gov.au/bereavement-payment

No — the Centrelink Bereavement Payment is not a loan and does not need to be repaid, as long as you are eligible. However, any overpayments made to the deceased after their death must be returned to Services Australia.

You may be eligible for the Bereavement Allowance — a short-term payment for up to 14 weeks if you lose a partner and are not currently on income support. Contact Centrelink on 132 300 to check eligibility. Source: Services Australia.

Centrelink Bereavement Payment — how to claim

Step 1 — Notify Centrelink immediately

Step 2 — Who qualifies

Step 3 — What happens to existing payments

Step 4 — Documents Centrelink needs

Centrelink bereavement FAQs