Manage your payments

Get information and help to manage your government payments when you return to work.

Keeping your details up to date

If you get a payment from Services Australia, you need to tell them about any changes in your circumstances. These can include changes to your:

  • employment status
  • income estimate
  • contact details.

Find out more about change of circumstances for different payments on the Services Australia website.

Income support payments

There are extra things you need to do if you get an income support payment.

Find out what’s considered an income support payment on the Services Australia website.

Reporting your income

You need to keep reporting your and your partner’s income to Services Australia every 2 weeks.

Find out more about employment income reporting on the Services Australia website.

Working credit

Some income support payments let you build up Working Credit while you work. Working Credit lets you earn more income before your income support payment is reduced, or stops.

If you use all your Working Credit and your income is above the cut off point, your payments may stop. Your income cut off point will depend on the income support payment you’re getting.

Find out more about Working Credit on the Services Australia website.

Tax implications

If you get a government payment or allowance, you may need to pay income tax on your payments. These payments are not taxed automatically. Details of most government payments will be pre-filled in your tax return if you lodge online or use a tax agent.

Always check the pre-filled information against your own records and add any missing details. Find out more about government payments and allowances and pre-filled details on the Australian Taxation Office website.

You can also find out more about paying tax on your payment on the Services Australia website.

Cancelling a payment

Get the steps on cancelling your payment online on the Services Australia website.

If you can’t cancel online, call your payment line on the Services Australia website.


Page last updated: 19 January 2024