Why You Must Report Your Income
If you receive a Centrelink payment such as JobSeeker Payment, Youth Allowance, Parenting Payment, or certain other allowances, and you or your partner earns employment income, you are required to report that income to Services Australia. This is how Centrelink calculates how much you should receive — your payment is adjusted based on your earnings.
Failing to report income — even accidentally — can lead to overpayments that you'll be required to repay, and in cases of deliberate non-disclosure, penalties may apply.
When Do You Need to Report?
Most recipients who need to report income do so every fortnight (every two weeks). Your reporting date is set when you start receiving your payment and is shown on your myGov Centrelink dashboard. You typically have a two-day window to report — if you miss it, you should report as soon as possible to avoid delays to your payment.
Some payment types require annual rather than fortnightly reporting — this is less common and will be clearly specified in your payment conditions.
What Income to Report
You must report gross employment income (before tax) for each employer you and your partner worked for in the reporting period. This includes:
- Wages and salaries
- Casual and part-time earnings
- Self-employment income (net profit)
- Leave payments (annual leave, sick leave) if paid out
You generally do not need to report most government payments (they're already known to Centrelink), regular bank interest below a threshold, or income from bank accounts below certain balances — but check your specific payment's rules.
How to Report Online via myGov
- Sign in to myGov and click on Centrelink.
- From your Centrelink homepage, click "Report employment income" (this option appears during your reporting window).
- For each employer, enter the gross amount earned during the fortnight. You can add multiple employers.
- Confirm the details and submit.
- You'll see a confirmation screen showing your updated payment amount.
Reporting via the Express Plus Centrelink App
The Express Plus Centrelink mobile app (available on iOS and Android) is a convenient alternative to the myGov website. The app lets you report income, view your payment summary, update details, and receive notifications — all from your phone.
To use it, download the app and sign in using your myGov credentials. The income reporting function works the same way as the web version.
What Happens to Your Payment
Centrelink applies an income test to work out how your earnings affect your payment. For most working-age allowances, you can earn a certain amount before your payment starts to reduce. After the threshold, your payment reduces at a set rate for every dollar earned — this is known as the taper rate.
For example, if you receive JobSeeker Payment, there is a "working credit" system that can help you keep more of your payment when you first start earning income. Understanding these rules helps you plan your work and finances more effectively.
Mistakes and Corrections
If you realise you've reported the wrong amount, contact Centrelink as soon as possible via the phone or by visiting a service centre. In many cases, corrections can be made before the payment is issued. Proactively disclosing errors is always the better approach — it demonstrates good faith and reduces the risk of formal compliance action.
Getting More Help
Centrelink's 132 850 line (employment income reporting) can assist with reporting questions. The Services Australia website also has a detailed guide on income and assets, and free financial counselling is available through the National Debt Helpline if you're struggling with Centrelink debts or overpayments.