Centrelink Arrangements over Christmas in SA

Centrelink makes special arrangements every Christmas to ensure customers are not disadvantaged by the holidays.

Payments that are made automatically to customers will not be delayed by the holidays. These payments will be made early if they fall on a public holiday.

Most Newstart and Youth Allowance customers, and others who need to return forms prior to payment, will be sent a special cream-coloured form. These cream forms are a different colour from normal and can be returned earlier than usual. Payments are usually available the next working day after a form is received by Centrelink.

Where payments are made early, they are advanced for as few working days as possible to minimise disruption to budgeting patterns for customers.

Customers will not be paid again until their next usual payday.

Centrelink is also making a special effort around office opening times.

While Monday 31 December is a Australian Public Service holiday, Centrelink will still provide services for people in urgent need of assistance.

Most Centrelink offices in South Australia, and the Adelaide and Port Augusta Call Centres will be open on Monday 31 December from 9.00am to 2.00pm. The exceptions are Broken Hill, Coober Pedy, Mount Gambier Victor Harbor and Sailsbury. Customers usually serviced by these offices are encouraged to contact Centrelink’s call centres.

All Centrelink offices and Call Centres will be closed on Tuesday 25 December, Wednesday 26 December and Tuesday 1 January 2002.