Services Australia has made national changes to Centrepay. Community housing providers like Home in Place can no longer automatically change or increase your Centrepay rent payments, even if you have given us permission in the past.
This change only affects customers who pay their rent through Centrepay.
If you pay by BPAY or another method, you don’t need to do anything.
These changes are part of a national reform to strengthen customer protections and ensure people stay in control of their deductions.
What this means
- Home in Place cannot increase your Centrepay rent deduction when your rent changes
- You are responsible for updating your own Centrepay deductions
What do I need to do?
If your rent changes or you need to set up or change a payment (for example, arrears, water or repairs), you must update your Centrepay payment yourself using one of the following:
- Call Centrelink on your regular payment line
- Sign in to your Centrelink account through myGov or use the Express Plus Centrelink app
- Visit a Services Australia service centre
- Fill in a Centrepay Deduction Authority form (SA501) and give it to your local Home in Place office
You can set up or vary Centrepay payments yourself or complete a Centrepay Deduction Authority form each time you want Home in Place to do this for you.
How do I pay by Centrepay?
You can set up or vary Centrepay payments yourself or complete a Centrepay Deduction Authority form each time you want Home in Place to do this for you.
PART C: HOME IN PLACE BUSINESS DETAILS
Business name: Home in Place
Centrelink reference number: 555-075-891T
Reference number: [Your 6-digit Tenant Code]
Important information
You must complete a new deduction authority form each time you want us to make a change to your Centrepay deduction. This includes when your rent changes, you need to pay water or repair charges, or you need to start a payment plan for arrears.
Each time you give Home in Place a Centrepay Deduction Authority form, you will be asked to confirm your identity.
If you choose not to complete the form, you must manage your rent payments yourself through Centrelink or pay by BPAY instead.
If you don’t update your deductions in time, your rent account may fall into arrears, which can affect your tenancy.
For more information go to the Services Australia website > Centrepay is changing
