The Crisis Payment is a one-off, non-taxable payment designed to provide financial support to those facing severe hardship due to extraordinary circumstances.
Provided through Centrelink, it offers emergency financial relief to Australians dealing with unexpected challenges, ensuring they have support to cover essential expenses during tough times.
This payment is intended to help you get back on your feet, whether you’re establishing a new home after a crisis like family or domestic violence, returning to your residence after such an event, or transitioning back into the community following release from lawful custody.
Here, we explain how much the Crisis Payment is, its eligibility criteria, application process and time frames.
Read on to understand whether this financial support could help you or a loved one in urgent need of an emergency homeless payment.
How much is the Crisis Payment?
If you’re eligible, the Crisis Payment could provide you with up to AUD$1,000 to help reduce financial stress during challenging times.
As of September 2024, this payment is equivalent to one week of the maximum basic rate of a Service Pension or ABSTUDY Living Allowance (excluding additional supplements). The exact amount depends on your situation and level of need.
Importantly, you can only apply for this payment once for each qualifying event or circumstance.
In a 12-month period, you may be able to receive up to four Crisis Payments across these extreme situations:
- Family and Domestic Violence
- Other Extreme Circumstances.
To ensure the support reflects current living costs, payment amounts are reviewed and adjusted every March and September.
Can I get a Crisis Payment?
Crisis Payments are designed to support people facing serious hardship, with different types available depending on your circumstances.
An extreme circumstance could be any of the following situations:
- You were forced to flee your home after an incident of family or domestic violence
- You have stayed in your home after experiencing domestic violence, and the perpetrating family member has left or been removed.
- You had no choice but to leave your home due to other circumstances, and it’s unreasonable for you to return in the foreseeable.
- You have come to Australia for the first time as a humanitarian entrant.
- You have been in prison or a psychiatric facility for at least 14 days.
Next, we take a look at the Centrelink Crisis Payment eligibility criteria for each type. Keep reading to better understand whether you can get a Crisis Payment.
Crisis Payment for extreme circumstances family and domestic violence
If you’ve been impacted by family or domestic violence, a Crisis Payment may provide the financial support you need to take the next steps toward safety and stability.
- To qualify, you’ll need to meet these criteria:
- You’ve experienced an incident of family or domestic violence.
- You’re contactable by a social worker to assess your situation.
- You’re eligible for, or already receiving, an income support payment or ABSTUDY Living Allowance.
- You’re in one of the approved living arrangements listed below.
- You were in Australia when the incident occurred and when you submitted your claim.
- You’re experiencing severe financial hardship.
- You’ve contacted Centrelink within seven days of your living arrangements changing.
To be eligible, your living situation must also align with one of these scenarios:
- Staying in your home: You’ve decided to remain in your home, but the person responsible for the violence has left or been removed by the police.
- Leaving your home: For your safety, you’ve left your home, and returning is not reasonable or safe. A social worker will discuss your plans for establishing a new home as part of the assessment process.
- Being removed from your home: You’ve been forced to leave or were removed by police, and legal restrictions prevent you from returning. This could include an Apprehended Violence Order, a Court Order, or another formal document.
If you fall under categories 2 or 3, you’ll also need to either intend to establish or have already started establishing a new home as a result of the incident.
Crisis Payment for humanitarian entrants
If you’ve recently arrived in Australia as a humanitarian entrant, you may be eligible for a one-off Crisis Payment to help you settle and navigate this transition.
To qualify, you’ll need to meet the following criteria:
- Be eligible for, or already receiving, an income support payment or ABSTUDY Living Allowance.
- Be experiencing severe financial hardship.
- Have arrived in Australia as a humanitarian entrant for the first time on an eligible visa.
- Be in Australia at the time you submit your claim.
- Contact Centrelink within seven days of your first arrival in Australia.
You must also hold one of these specific humanitarian visas:
- Subclass 200 – Refugee
- Subclass 201 – In-Country Special Humanitarian
- Subclass 202 – Global Special Humanitarian (Special Humanitarian Programme – SHP)
- Subclass 203 – Emergency Rescue
- Subclass 204 – Woman at Risk
This payment is not available to Australian citizens. If you meet the above criteria and hold an eligible visa, this financial support can help ease the challenges of starting your new life in Australia.
Crisis Payment for release from prison or psychiatric confinement
If you’re transitioning back into the community after being released from prison or psychiatric confinement in Australia or overseas, a Crisis Payment may provide the financial support you need to start fresh.
This one-off payment is designed to help you manage essential expenses during this critical period.
To be eligible, you’ll need to meet these criteria:
- You are eligible for, or currently receiving, an income support payment or ABSTUDY Living Allowance.
- You are experiencing severe financial hardship.
- You have been charged with an offence.
- You were in prison or psychiatric confinement for 14 consecutive days or more.
- You’re in Australia when making your claim.
- You’ve contacted Centrelink or submitted your claim either up to 21 days before your release or within seven days after.
This payment is not available if you were:
- Held in an immigration detention centre.
- Released from a mental health facility without being charged with an offence.
Crisis Payment for other extreme circumstances
Life can throw unexpected challenges your way, and if you’ve had to leave your home due to an extreme event, the Crisis Payment is here to provide financial support. This payment is tailored to help you rebuild and find stability after events like natural disasters, community violence, or other unforeseen crises.
To qualify for this payment, you need to meet all the following criteria:
- You’ve been forced to leave your home due to an extreme event such as a fire, flood, or community violence, and it’s unreasonable to return in the near future.
- You’ve already established or plan to establish a new home.
- You’re eligible for, or currently receiving, an income support payment or ABSTUDY Living Allowance.
- You’re experiencing severe financial hardship.
- You were in Australia when the event occurred and when you submitted your claim.
- You’ve contacted Centrelink or submitted your claim within seven days of deciding you can’t return to your home.
Importantly, this payment is designed for those experiencing genuine hardship, so it won’t apply if:
- You were evicted from your home due to unpaid rent or mortgage.
- You chose to move but weren’t impacted by an extreme event.
- You haven’t established or don’t plan to establish a new home.
- The extreme event was caused intentionally with the aim of claiming the payment.
- You’ve already reached the maximum number of allowable Crisis Payments for this type of event.
- You’ve received a disaster relief payment for the same incident.
Crisis Payment for National Health Emergency
When Australia faces a significant health crisis, the Crisis Payment for National Health Emergency (NHE) steps in as a one-off financial lifeline for those deeply affected. Designed to provide support during challenging times, this payment is tied to specific national health emergencies.
Currently, there are no active health emergencies in Australia that qualify for this payment. The most recent version of this assistance, the Crisis Payment for National Health Emergency (COVID-19), ended on 1 October 2022.
How to apply for Crisis Payment
1. Prepare for your application
Before you can submit your claim, you’ll need to gather any necessary supporting documents and speak with a social worker. They’ll ask for:
- Proof of the extreme circumstances you’re experiencing.
- Your permission to contact someone who can verify your situation.
2. Submit your claim online
It’s easiest to apply for the Crisis Payment online through your Centrelink account linked to myGov.
Here’s how to do make your claim:
- Log in to myGov and select Centrelink.
- Click Payments and Claims on the menu, followed by Claims, and then Make a Claim.
- Select Crisis Payments and then Apply for Crisis Payment for Extreme Circumstances.
- Complete all the required questions and submit your application.
You’ll also be asked to provide supporting documents for your claim.
If needed, Centrelink can confirm your circumstances with someone else, but only if you give permission.
Still not possible to claim a Crisis Payment online?
You can also apply in person at your nearest service centre.
Additionally, if someone else has access to your online account and you’re concerned about your privacy or safety, it might be better to update your details or use an alternative way to apply.
To find out more, call Centrelink on your usual payment line and ask to speak with a social worker who can guide you through the process with peace of mind.
3. Discuss your situation with a social worker
Once you’ve submitted your application, a social worker will review your claim.
They’ll contact you to complete the assessment.
Make sure you’re available for this discussion, as your application can’t progress if the social worker is unable to reach you.
4. Check the application status
Once you’ve applied online, you’ll receive a receipt with:
- Your claim ID number.
- An estimated date for when your claim will be processed.
- A link to track your application’s progress.
To check the status of your claim, log in to myGov and select View Claim Status or use the Express Plus Centrelink mobile app.
Centrelink will notify you of the outcome through your myGov Inbox or a letter in the mail. If further information is required, they’ll let you know.
How long does it take to get a Crisis Payment?
Once you submit your application for a Crisis Payment, it generally takes about one week for the assessment to be completed. If your application is approved, you can expect the payment to be deposited into your bank account within 10 business days.
That said, the duration will ultimately depend on whether you have submitted all required documents, the resources available at your local Centrelink branch, and the amount of applications received in the same time frame.
Do you have to pay back a Crisis Payment?
No, a Crisis Payment does not need to be repaid. As its purpose is to provide financial support during difficult times, there is no obligation to pay the amount back.
Discover emergency accommodation in Australia
If you’re facing severe financial hardship due to extreme circumstances, you may also be eligible for a Crisis Payment through Centrelink.
This one-off payment can help you cover immediate costs and ease the burden while you navigate difficult situations.
We may also be able to help you at Home In Place. We provide emergency temporary accommodation in New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland.
If you are experiencing homelessness or fleeing family violence and meet the criteria for general social housing, we can help you find a safe and secure place to stay when you need it most.
Contact our caring team for personalised advice and support today.
