Australian families facing rising bills have good news: Services Australia has confirmed a new $890 bonus payment via Centrelink. This one-time bonus is designed to give quick cash help to eligible recipients. We’ve gathered all the key details, from who qualifies to how you can quickly confirm you are in line to receive it.
Who will get the $890 bonus?
This payment is meant mainly for Australians already receiving Centrelink help. It will automatically go to:
• Age Pension recipients
• Disability Support Pension holders
• those with the Carer Payment and Carer Allowance
• JobSeeker recipients who have stayed on that payment for over three months
• Family Tax Benefit recipients, both Part A and Part B
• Commonwealth Seniors Health Card holders
Services Australia has made it clear: you do not have to apply. The system will check eligibility according to your Centrelink record as of August 15, 2025.
When and How You’ll Get the $890 Bonus
Your $890 payment will be sent out in chunks starting on September 1, 2025. Most people who qualify will see the money in their accounts by mid-September. The entire distribution should wrap up by September 30. The payment goes straight into the same bank account where you usually get your Centrelink benefits.
Checking If You’ll Get the Payment
You have three easy ways to see if you qualify and find out where your payment is in the process:
Online
Sign in to your myGov account and go to Centrelink. You should see a message in your inbox telling you about the $890 bonus. For more detail, check the “Payment and Claims” section.
Using the App
Open your Centrelink app and tap on “Messages.” A notification will confirm if you’re eligible and when you can expect the payment.
By Phone
Dial 136 240 on your phone and ask about your payment. Have your Customer Reference Number ready so the rep can check your status.
No Need to Apply
You don’t have to fill out any forms to get the payment. Services Australia will automatically see if you’re eligible, and the money will be sent directly to the account you already have on file.
If the mail or app hasn’t mentioned your eligibility by August 28 and you think you should be in, reach out to Centrelink the way you usually do—call, message, or visit the website—and double-check what’s up with your situation.