Sunita SomvanshiThink you may have been underpaid by Centrelink, or wrongly charged a debt? A one-off compensation payment is available to some people whose debts were worked out using income apportionment. Applications close on 29 January 2027, so check now.
Services Australia runs the Income Apportionment Resolution Scheme. It pays up to $600 per eligible debt. Applications opened on 30 January 2026 and close on 29 January 2027. The scheme covers debts affected by income apportionment between 20 September 2003 and 6 December 2020.
If you were affected, you should check before the deadline. Payments depend on the total debt value, and some people receive the full amount of a small debt. Once you accept a payment, you may not be able to take legal action about that debt. Economic Justice Australia advises seeking legal advice before accepting.
What income apportionment means
Income apportionment divides a person’s employment income across two or more fortnightly reporting periods. Think of a casual worker who earned most of their pay in two busy months. Spreading that pay across fortnights can assign income that was never earned in quiet periods. That can produce a debt the person did not owe. Services Australia says apportionment debts are not the same as robodebts.
How to apply:
- Check your debt history. Look for a debt affected by income apportionment between 2003 and 2020.
- Apply online. Sign in to myGov, select “Money you owe”, then select “Apply for Resolution Scheme”.
- Or call 1800 560 870 if you cannot apply online.
- Keep your records. Save debt letters and repayment receipts.
How do I claim the Centrelink debt compensation? Apply through myGov or by phone before 29 January 2027. If your Centrelink account is linked to myGov, you can apply online. The payment is up to $600 per eligible debt.
The most striking detail is the deadline. The scheme covers debts from 2003 to 2020, but the claim window closes in early 2027. The people affected have to act within that period. This is a reading of the scheme’s dates, not a finding by an investigator.
For background, read our Robodebt timeline and our myGov setup guide.
If you repaid a Centrelink debt that may have been affected by income apportionment, check myGov now. Applications close on 29 January 2027. Gather your records and apply early.
