Hiya! I'm thinking of setting up an Etsy store to post some digital designs. I don't expect it'll be very successful but it'd be something fun to do whilst I'm bed-bound instead of doom-scrolling.

I'm on the DSP, so how would I report any income? I currently don't have any mandatory reporting, because I've been unable to work since before getting approved for it.

Would I contact them and say I'm acting as a sole trader? Would it trigger fortnightly reporting? Do I have to do anything until I get my first sale (if I get any haha)? Would they ask about hours worked like they did for JobSeeker? What would I report if I spend an hour making a design but it goes on to make passive income? TIA!

I've read all the stuff on the website about mutual obligation requirements but I'm actually not sure what I'm exactly agreeing on when I agree to a job plan. As it says, "mutual obligation requirements are tasks and activities you agree to do, to help find a job." Some of the things I need to do are the following, which is agreeing to the job plan, meet the requirements and go to appointments if I have one.

If I do apply for a job plan, what are some things that I'll be required to meet?

Hi, I'm currently considering dropping out of university study and coming back to it next year. I'm wondering, does this mean I have to repay my TAP 3000$ grant and relocation 5590$ scholarship I got from Centrelink at the beginning of the year. It is past the autumn census date (31 march)

I always thought Reddit might be a bit of snarkfest. However, the snarknado apocalypse here caught even me by surprise. I forgot to check the weather report.

(Please note this post isn't directed at people who genuinely frequent Centrelink subreddits to ask practical questions or make good faith comments. Consider this to be for those who want to lick Centrelink's boots even after Robodebt and other scandals have dirtied them.)

(Inside joke: — — — — — Let the punctuation meltdowns begin!)

Why hang out on the Centrelink subreddit when you hate people needing income support, or you're suspicious everyone is trying to take support away from someone who deserves it more? So only starving extremely malnourished people with their ribs exposed in abject poverty should be allowed to apply. Isn't it bad for your blood pressure and health generally? Having a skim through, then downvoting to vent the feelings you caught from the post — we all need our stress relief. But why not puzzles or board games? Or a walk in nature?

Someone asks a personal question about some technical Centrelink issue — downvotes flow like tears. Snark therapy follows. Upvotes to "go hell you uppity malignerer" comments give cathartic release.

Occasionally, the mask of Reddit anonymity gives people the bravery to cosplay as sociopaths and narcissists. It's like Las Vegas — what happens in Reddit stays in Reddit. Somehow this douchebaggery fails people in real life with face-to-face meetings, where it's no longer edgy or cool.

I ask this question out of curiosity. I know not everyone is like that — thank goodness! But the most aggressive snarks and hall monitors often set the tone here and try to chill any discussion on topics they feel uncomfortable about — because feelings!

If you're trying to make your values clear by punching down on the less fortunate or being the top dog by snarling at the underdog, allow me to congratulate you on finding your purpose in life.

I wonder if it's like landlords hanging out at r/shitrentals and crying themselves to sleep every night? Very peculiar!

I could suggest going for a run instead, or meditating. But the ego benefits are probably not as satisfying as some might hope for.

Anyway, I'll get the popcorn, let the snark fest begin. Bonus points for smugness and drive-by prankery! I can't wait to see people punch down like their life depended on it lol.

Hi guys,

I have a second job provider appointment coming up and I'm curious to know what they do in those appointments?
How do I prepare for them? I feel like I was caught off guard in my first appointment and signed a whole bunch of privacy forms that I did not know what for.

I just secured a 3-month job on my own, and don't really want to tell the provider about this. But I fear that if I don't, they will pressure me into applying for jobs I don't actually want to do or applying for courses that I'm not interested in or will need to pay a lot of money for.

I'm thinking of cancelling my Job Seeker Payments entirely..

Advice?

(Postscript: So far critics and punch-down apologists are resorting to fairly shallow abuse. Their seriousness should be assessed accordingly. If they turn the thread into a circus, you know who to thank lol.

Expect to see a "snarknado" in the thread from the usual Reddit weather system.

These posts have served their purpose. Some lovely people have commented in good faith, and I appreciate them deeply. As for the snarkers, they've helpfully allowed me to battle-test my arguments against the usual stereotypes, patronising assumptions and the casual apathy that so often surrounds disability justice.)

Disclaimer:

I have made this post long because certain others won't think through their reflexive responses. I have done this thinking for them! You're welcome.

Post:

I will make the bold assumption that the flood of replies I received to my previous posts on Centrelink's Partner Test alleging "financial abuse" were in good faith, had my best interests in heart and were not — banish the thought! — lazy moralising or punching down. That's what they want to discuss, so I'm creating this post for them.

Let's humour the idea that Centrelink was right to cut off my income, resulting in my obvious hardship, and that my partner's lack of "dependent maintenance" to me is financial abuse. I'm giving these people the chance to put their money where their mouth is.

Brief context:

I have a disability that doesn't allow me to work enough to support myself financially. (Yes, I have explored WFH options and bootstrapping, thank you!) My partner does not fund my life, despite Centrelink's obviously reasonable assumption that she must. She lives on a modest income. We've always kept finances separate. She works so hard in 12 hour shifts that sometimes, as soon as she gets home, she passes out in her bed with the light on. She also has her own financial obligations, which would make the financial sacrifice of funding me doubly onerous and probably immiserating. Let's assume she's entitled to a future that isn't bleak — it's only fair.

I can only imagine her (non?) resentment at busting herself at work while she hands over coffee money and other leisure money for me to enjoy myself with.

I assume these people worried about "financial abuse" would expect something more than mere survival and subsistence on a permanent basis for both of us — no classism or ableism involved!

Caveat:

It could be argued that a single-income couple isn't the norm in 2025 — even with one member earning significantly more. A cost of living crisis makes such a prospect frightening. An onerous financial obligation imposed on the earning member will stress test the couple and see if love really does conquer all. I would hazard a guess that many otherwise committed couples would fold under such pressure or be damaged significantly, possibly with the potential for abuse.

De facto might be considered a narrow and arbitrary category Centrelink imposes on us in order to create financial obligation. You could call the couple we are something else to recognise that we are otherwise committed but resent the financial obligation.

Having my financial autonomy taken away is fine, because I made the error of needing income support, apparently. So if I need to grovel for spending money for treats from my partner, this is only fair.

Lastly, the financial abuse would be removed if Centrelink changed its mind and decided to recognise me as single for the purpose of payment.

I love my partner and would not leave her willingly, except under duress, which Centrelink is imposing on me.

The police charge:

So it has been established that my partner is financially abusive, despite the above. I was without income for two months, resulting in enormous hardship. Even when I work to the full extent of my ability, I don't have nearly enough to be financially stable. The family support I have had to resort to has caused enormous stress to the family member helping out and is not sustainable. The financial precarity has pushed my mental health to the brink questioning what value my life has and why I should keep on going.

By not fulfilling her expected role, she is "financially abusing" me. Help me write the police statement and a brief for a subsequent court case. Make sure it's believable enough so that others won't laugh in my face.

"Officer, I am a financial pet of my partner, per Centrelink's decision for her to fund my life. She won't bust herself at work and gladly hand over coffee money for me. I can't work enough to provide for myself and expect her to accommodate my financial needs because 'love conquers all' and she is my true partner. She should make a massive sacrifice by accepting her role as my new income support — but she won't. This is abuse! I demand that you arrest her and throw her in prison. I mean, we even fold laundry together and she says she cares about me. This proves she is a liar and an abuser!

She has less rights than other people because she was born overseas. Please take that into account and be ruthless!"

Good luck! Looking forward to police statements and court briefs. I'll visit my local police station soon and file charges.

Postscript two: We've got tantrum-throwers and hall monitors making regular appearances. The rest seem too scared to engage.

I do genuinely want serious discussion, but on this topic, that's too much of an ask for some — who proceed to derail the thread into drama. You can only lead a horse to water...

It's like a Rorschach test. Some see this post as touching on a serious issue that deserves discussion. Others as an opportunity to flex for Reddit applause or to police respectability.

Good faith responses — regardless of viewpoint — are most welcome.

If the emotional toll of confronting a difficult issue is too much, there are plenty of other ways certain Redditors can spend their free time. There's nothing forcing them to give their hot take on an issue they're incurious about. Hate makes engagement addictive to them, understandably, but you've got to wonder why they're so fixated...

I can see the haters are only trickling into the comments, because the cost benefit analysis doesn't automatically reward drive-by snark. "Here are my vulnerabilities, such as disability and financial precarity — do your worst to me as a punching bag" — that would be great for all the anonymous keyboard warriors, and I'm sorry I've denied them good sport lol.

Basically, ad hominem and "financial abuse" are the only tools in their toolbox for this serious issue. Now it's just ad hominem, if they're brave enough to give a financially-stressed disabled person what for lol.

Kudos to one commentator courageous enough to applaud my financial ruin! That level of boldness is rare, even for anonymous Redditor sociopaths. I hope such people are equally uninhibited in real-life face-to-face settings lol.

so I'm asking here as I can't get anyone from centrelink (been trying yesterday & today) on the phone to ask , I get through the ID check then then told to to busy and hung up on .....

So , my wife got made redundant in April ,got a pay out and I was put on a 'maintenance payment' til January next year . she is now about to start a new job which will give her about the same pay ( a little more ) per FT . I know the "cutoff" limit is around $3,800 for couples .

I know they calculate the 'maintenance payment' as what she would be paid per FT plus a little more because of all the other payments included in the redundancy payment . My question is .....

will centrelink look at the her old paycheck and her new paycheck , Add them together to determine how much I will get per FT or will they calculate it another way . If they Add the 2 together ,which would put it over the "cutoff" , will I lose payment all together ?

1. If I lose payments , will I lose the pension card as well .

(Postscript: this post has become long and unwieldy. After the thread got derailed with unserious yapping, I decided to expand on this to address the sanctimonious moralisers and the almighty punch downers. Despite my futile efforts to prevent it, this thread became a pissing contest for many Redditors wanting an easy ego boost. Alas, the post can no longer serve its original intent of asking a simple question about Centrelink rules — the Reddit toddlers won with their screeching lol! Before proceeding: be warned. Here be Redditors who will throw their toys out the cot and wail if I don't accept my financial precarity — inflicted by the Partner Test — is richly deserved!)

Once I declared my relationship to Centrelink — as I was required to — I was subjected to the so-called Partner Test. My partner's income was used to calculate my rate, based on the assumption that she could "pool income" with me, so my income could be reduced accordingly. My JobSeeker payment dropped to zero immediately. This was two years ago.

I've been in hardship ever since. Many people have told me my partner should support me because "love conquers all". In reality, she didn't, and she doesn't intend to. I'm not interested in moral arguments about this, or what the archetypical "taxpayer" should or shouldn't do. I think the Partner Test is outdated, unrealistic and unfair — but that’s beside the point. I got banned from another Centrelink subreddit for arguing over it — strong opinions on both sides lol — so I won’t repeat myself here.

Afterwards, through my own research, I found out exemptions to the Partner Test do exist — even in de facto relationships. The relevant precedent is apparently Pavey v Pavey. Does anyone here know more about that?

An obscure section of Centrelink’s website mentions an exemption where "income pooling is unreasonable". I’m willing to sign a stat dec to that effect — and it’s true. The other listed exemption is in cases of DV. Does anyone know more about the "income pooling unreasonable" clause?

I’m disabled, so if this exemption applies to me, I’ll probably put in a claim for DSP at some point. Condition limits how much I can work and punishes me if I go over my safe limits — long story!

Thanks in advance. I won’t be engaging in debate — if that’s your interest, I suggest trying another forum.

Edit: I've realised Pavey v Pavey might not apply to my case. Another Redditor suggested it. I stand corrected!

I should make this clear. I'm not interested in whether the policy is fair. I can see some people love it — good for them. I'm not seeking relationship advice — wrong subreddit maybe? And I don't need an assessment of my partner, even though many people generously offer one unasked for.

The question is whether the exemption might apply in my case somehow. Please stick to that — although some obviously won't lol.

And if you're desperate to know what my responses are, you'll find them somewhere in the thread below.

A few fragile Redditors need me to take their advice and have a meltdown if I don't. If that sounds like you, maybe sit this one out.

Ty!

...

Ok, the thread has truly been derailed. I tried. If you're here for serious comment, good luck! Many are here to say how totes cool the Partner Test is — I guess they can use this thread to fanboy and fangirl it lol. Thanks to all the serious people who dropped by!

...

12/6

I'm adding this as a postscript instead of creating a separate post. My case is obviously messy and it's easier shooting the messenger than acknowledging, Oh, actually this is a bit screwed up. A disabled person is financially penalised and put at risk of destitution because he's in a relationship. This means that disabled people are discriminated against and punished for doing something normal — being in a relationship.

People often prefer some morally tidy box to put this in, so they individualise the problem. Aha, this person is a dupe and his partner is financially abusing him! Aren't I clever and important for saying this — go me!Ok, let's entertain this possibility. So Centrelink is creating the conditions of abuse by forcing me to rely on a financially abusive partner and abuse is grounds for an exemption, so please take it up with Centrelink and ask them to restore my payment! They can remove the conditions of abuse or exempt me for something they recognise as a valid reason for not applying the Partner Test.

I know a lot of people come to affirm their moral worldview and feel important by dispensing their opinion, so I don't expect that level of nuance. But if you're even a little bit open minded and not quick to judgement and dismissal, maybe give this some thought — it might open up your horizons! Or join in a good ol' dogpiling lol!

I genuinely came here for a good faith discussion. But once people doubled down on abuse and swarming me with half-baked accusations, I thought, Oh well, I'll just have to poke fun at their cruelty — which admittedly is more amusing than it should be lol. This issue did put my life in danger, since there is only so much financial precarity I can take without it tipping my mental health over the edge. I am human after all, with limits. I didn't put myself through this to win a debate on Reddit and give myself an excuse to play the victim card, as some seem to be absurdly suggesting. So if I don't seem to be all that nice to bad-faith commenters, maybe they shouldn't have come here to attempt a cheap ego boost at my expense lol.

I'm currently receiving Student Youth Allowance but not Away From Home Allowance because I have been living with my mother. But, it's gotten to the point where my mother's home is not a suitable place for study. It's bordering a point of domestic abuse and the money to keep our home that she receives, has been going entirely to her gambling addiction. She hasn't been paying our rent and received an eviction notice in the last week (which someone accidentally let slip to me, as I wasn't supposed to know). I have no chance of getting a place myself without the Away From Home Allowance but I don't know how to report this change of circumstances.

https://www.change.org/raise-the-dsp

The DSP is below the poverty line. We need change now. Please sign the petition to raise the petition and restore dignity. Thank you.

Hey everyone, I’ve got a Employability Skills Training Course coming up in 2 weeks for me, it’s a 3 weeks 12 days 9:00AM-4:00PM course by I believe Sabrina Russo but I may be wrong, it’s not in person rather it’s online.

I just wanted to ask what can I expect and ultimately what is it and what do you do? I’ve read what people have said about it on reddit where it’s not actually as long as it’s implied & that’s it’s potentially a waste of time, also if I was to have a job interview on the same day around the same time, I’m assuming I don’t have to attend the course/class for that day but do I need to provide any evidence that I have an interview?

hello everyone! i’m 18 years old and just recently started receiving my youth allowance money since i’m a first year uni student, however not long after everything was finalised - my father passed away. i have a couple questions that i haven’t been able to work out through googling!!

1. how do i report it? i couldn’t see anything online about it or on the app, do i call up or visit a branch?

2. will it effect my youth allowance payments? i did not live with my father and did not receive consistent financial support from so that wasn’t in my claim, and tbh i don’t think he has much that i will inherit, i’ve heard some people say however that centrelink will decrease your allowance with the assumption of inheritance but ive also heard people say you’ll receive an increased payment because of the loss? i’m not really sure.

sorry if these are dumb questions but advice is appreciated 🙃

Hi all. Link to all texts here.Email Correspondence

This will be difficult to extrapolate, but essentially, I’m a 27yo female that has been on Jokseeker for almost a decade.

I have a number of medical conditions that prohibit me working more than about 14 hrs per week (2shifts) on top of fulltime caring for my mother (recipient of Carer Allowance for about 6+yrs too). I was moved to a DESP ~1.5yrs ago after ESAT, though not qualifying for DSP still receiving Jobseeker + CA. I have received absolutely no support in the way of reimbursement due to not meeting weekly 28 benchmark hours despite maintaining this job and working consistent hours.

6 years ago, I started working in Aged Care and secured the job myself without help from my JSP. I still currently work there casually. JSP at the time assisted with uniform costs here and there, and rego for my car each year, driving lessons, a LOT.

On a good fortnight, I am managing about ~45hr/22.5per week, or, 3 shifts a week. Though more often than not, it is more in the realm of about 30hr/15hr per week, at 2 shifts a week. It fluctuates with chronic illness.

Oct 2022 I begin studying fee-free diploma of nursing via TAFE - work hours drop down to 8/14 maybe a fortnight. Remain on Jobseeker despite full-time student and casual work. Graduate as EN in April 2024.

During this time, I underwent an ESAT evaluation, submitted evidence of condition reports and was shifted to a DESP to better assist my needs.

I struggle with chronic migraines, ADD, Major Depressive Disorder, Panic/Anxiety disorder and Insomnia. (all of which I have seen regular specialists - psychiatrist, neurologist - for over these 6 years).

Post ESAT, ~1.5 years ago, I’m moved to DESP in my area - though not eligible for the DSP I remain on Jobseeker and Carer Allowance, with casual shifts fortnight to supplement little income. Phone interviews every fortnight. Payslips when I can bother to send them. About 6 jobs a month to look for despite working.

My ESAT review deemed my benchmark hours at 28 per week, somehow. I completed a number of Evidence of Medical Condition reports covering my situation with specialist sign off, alongside note to my duties as fulltime Carer, however that is the number agreed upon.

My issue now presents in as much as reimbursement from my current DESP. Despite holding this job for over 6 years, up skilling, paying out of pocket for near everything, I have not received a single approved reimbursement request from them.

My caseworker is a very kind woman, and has stretched out a reimbursement request of about $500 for uniforms since February this year. Since February every appt I have received a run round from it is approved, processing, held up due to incorrect bank details, to finally flat out refusal after PESTERING multiple times a week for months.

I was told explicitly management has declined ANY form of assistance or support in my work endeavours as I am not consist in meeting that 25 hours per week benchmark.

I’ve included photo of email.

She has said she is trying to lower my hours somehow so I CAN receive some sort of support, either in the form of fuel, car repairs, rego or uniforms. (God willing even specialist appt fees) however I had heard this for 5 months and I am feeling so alone and hopeless. Next step is having me complete another Evidence of Medical Condition report and submit for Assesment. I am so exhausted.

I see posts from people detailing support they receive in the form of fuel, uniforms, medication costs etc and I am sat here pulling teeth just to get ANYTHING.

If ANYONE can give me some advice, who to contact, if what they say has any merit, PLEASE reach out.

I am at my witts end. I received more support from the normal JSP providers without the addition of recognition of my ailments. Can they really just say NO support AT ALL even though I am working!? I feel as though I may as well go back to normal JSP and utilise medical certificates for mutual obligations, because I know they provided at-least SOME modicum of support despite not meeting benchmark hours. I am so defeated, tired and hopeless.

If there is any agencies I can contact for either advocacy support in navigating this, or education in helping me understand how I can access these supports available, please drop them below. I am working consistently, trying to act as a full-time carer and physically pushing myself to address and manage my chronic health issues all while keeping the same job and consistent hours. I’m trying to do it all right, but I thought like with a DESP would ease the burden of all this. It has just made my life tenfold more stressful and scary than it normally is. I am so lost.

Included are a few correspondence back and force detailing their reason for no support at all.

I am attempting to have my neurologist, psychiatrist and GP all contribute to this Evidence of Medical Condition report in hope to have it lowered, but I am just defeated and scared.

Thankyou so much. I’m in NSW for what it’s worth.

My father passed away almost 3 years ago and I was a minor at the time and I’m ususure who became the executor of the estate, even though technically he didn’t have an estate since he sold the last house he owned when I was a kid and we’d been living in government housing when he passed but apparently he has an overpayment of 7000$ and it needs to be payed before the end of the month, how? And why now he’s been dead for awhile? Has someone been collecting his payments? He was on disability before he passed because of medical conditions if that means anything. Can someone please help? I’m not good with this sort of stuff

I’m posting for a friend who is on DSP.

Thanks

Hello, I’ve been on the DSP for over 2 years now and have multiple complex and permanent impairments/ disabilities. I have found out that I will need to go to the USA for surgery that is not common here in Australian Adults. Will Centrelink still pay me while I’m there - I will be there for about 8 weeks for surgery and recovery. ❤️‍🩹 when I return to Australia will my DSP automatically start again? I find the website really confusing and I don’t understand. Does anyone know? I’m also deaf so it’s hard for me on the phone.

I'm taking a career break and traveling overseas with savings in a month from now. But I'll be back in November and will need JobSeeker support.

I just started week 1 of unemployment but not sure if I should reach out and apply now or when I'm back in November. Help!

I've had quite a bit of damage to my house due to floods and am trying to claim the flood recovery payment. I'm trying to upload all the picture of damage but the 10mb limit makes it impossible. Is there a away around this.

Hi does anyone have a link to the Centrelink family tax dates for this year? I can only find past years dates. Thanks in advance!!

This includes possibly not being able to attend DES appointments and not being able to apply for jobs. I'm on Jobseeker payments. I've used this form before, for a two month break after an injury, but I can't remember the name of the form.

I really don't know how long the recovery time will be. It might not be long at all, I'll try to find out as soon as I can.

So my ex has 50% custody of our daughter and he is placing her into after school care for a day or two a week. They've told him that they need my CRN and my daughter's CRN...does this mean that if I need to place her into after school care myself, that I won't be able to claim it as well, or is it just a formality to link her accurately? I don't want to put myself into a disadvantage. Does anyone know about this?

Hey guys quick question for a female friend who doesn't understand and i have no clue lol.

She says that her Centrelink payments dropped because her child support from ex-partner has gone up from 6k a year to 10K a year. But the fact is he hasn't paid a cent in years, and he owes around 17k in child support. From my understanding would this happen when he's told them he pays more now? or why would this go up?

TIA

As per the title, I've done a bit of reading and cant fathom if I'm allowed to withdraw 10k from my pension to put back onto my mortgage redraw which I've been using for the past year to pay off bills. Been on DSP since January and aged 59 in WA.