Payments are set by your own situation, so treat this as a map of what exists and confirm with Services Australia. This is general information, not financial advice.

Tell Services Australia about the death

Services Australia says you can tell them about a death in any of these ways:

It helps to have the person's full name and any other names they used, their date of birth, address and date of death, and their Centrelink reference number if you know it. You will also be asked for your own name, contact details and relationship to them.

The funeral director registers the death with the state registry, which is a separate step, so it is worth telling Services Australia yourself. When a single person dies, allowance payments stop on the day of death, and a single pensioner's payment covers the fortnight in which they died. There is no extra lump sum when a single person dies. If too much was paid, the executor deals with Centrelink Debt Recovery on 1800 076 072.

Beyond the Service sets out the notifications and admin after a death in order, with the right links for your state. Reading it is free; ticking off what you have done is part of Access.

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If your partner has died

You may be able to get a lump sum bereavement payment. Services Australia says that to be eligible, you both needed to be getting an income support payment for at least the previous 12 months, or a pension. The payment covers the 14 weeks from the day your partner died.

In plain terms, it is designed so that for those 14 weeks you receive about what the two of you would have received as a couple, before your payment moves to the single rate.

Other help for partners:

If you were caring for the person

If a child has died

If you get Family Tax Benefit for a child who dies, you may get the Family Tax Benefit bereavement payment for up to 14 weeks, as one payment or fortnightly. Depending on your circumstances, Parental Leave Pay, the Stillborn Baby Payment, the Newborn Upfront Payment or Newborn Supplement may also apply. Services Australia has a line for help when a baby has died: 1800 118 388.

If you are now caring for a child whose parents have died, the Double Orphan Pension may help (136 150).

Time off mutual obligations

If you have mutual obligation requirements, you can be exempt for up to 8 weeks after the death of an immediate family member, and up to 14 weeks after the death of your partner.

What happened to Bereavement Allowance?

Bereavement Allowance closed to new claims on 20 March 2020. People who were already getting it kept it until their bereavement period ended. Today, someone whose partner dies and who is not on a payment may be able to claim JobSeeker Payment or Youth Allowance instead.

Free help with money decisions

Services Australia's Financial Information Service is free and can help you think through money decisions after a death. Social workers can also be reached through 132 300. For help with debts, Financial Counselling Australia's National Debt Helpline is on 1800 007 007.

For the rest of the government admin, see how to notify government agencies after a death and what happens to superannuation.

Common questions

What is the Centrelink bereavement payment?

It is a lump sum for a surviving partner when you were both getting an income support payment for at least the previous 12 months, or a pension. It covers the 14 weeks from the day your partner died, so you receive about what you would have received as a couple before moving to the single rate.

How long do Centrelink bereavement payments last?

Most bereavement periods are up to 14 weeks: for a partner's lump sum, Carer Payment, Carer Allowance and the Family Tax Benefit bereavement payment. A Pension Bonus Bereavement Payment can be claimed up to 26 weeks after the death.

What happens to the pension when a pensioner dies?

A single pensioner's payment covers the fortnight in which they died, and there is no extra lump sum when a single person dies. If they had a partner who was also getting a payment, the partner may get a bereavement lump sum covering the 14 weeks from the day of death. If too much was paid, the executor deals with Centrelink Debt Recovery on 1800 076 072.

How do I tell Centrelink someone has died?

Call 132 300 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm), complete the Advice of death form SA116, or visit a service centre. Have the person's full name, date of birth, address, date of death and their Centrelink reference number if you know it.

Does Carer Payment stop when the person I care for dies?

Carer Payment may continue for up to 14 weeks after the person you care for dies, and you may also get a lump sum depending on your circumstances.

Is Bereavement Allowance still available?

No. Bereavement Allowance closed to new claims on 20 March 2020. If your partner dies and you are not on a payment, you may be eligible for JobSeeker Payment or Youth Allowance.

Keep track of every notification

Beyond the Service in Remember Well• lists Services Australia and the other organisations to contact after a death, in order, with links for your state.

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