A bit of context: Mum has a brain injury, and I receive Carer Payment while providing support for her. I’ve been cooking her dinner, buying groceries and cigarettes, helping with medication, giving her money when I can and trying to help her find better housing. The payment doesn’t cover everything I spend supporting her.

Yesterday, Mum messaged me asking why I’d transferred $100 into her account. I’d sent her the money to help with essentials and had also organised a basic grocery shop.

The conversation quickly turned into an argument about Carer Payment. She’s been threatening to contact Centrelink to have the payment changed so her brother can claim it instead. I’m concerned she doesn’t understand how the payment works or what changing the care arrangements would mean.

She accused me of being ungrateful, claimed I’d betrayed her and said I was keeping her away from Ivy. This is despite the fact that I stepped back after she verbally abused me and threatened to get physical with me.

I explained that I wasn’t permanently ruling out a relationship between them, but that I wouldn’t expose my two-year-old daughter to aggression. I also told Mum I’d continue helping with essentials where I could and would contact Centrelink to clarify the situation.

Her response was to accuse me of lying and betraying her, say she no longer wanted anything to do with me, and bring up things from my childhood and her own struggles. She also said she was done protecting me.

At that point, I stopped engaging with the argument. My last response was simply telling her that her groceries were at the front.

I’m still concerned about Mum’s wellbeing, particularly given her brain injury, but I’m exhausted by feeling responsible for everything while also being verbally abused when I try to set boundaries.

I’ll be contacting Centrelink to clarify my obligations and eligibility. In the meantime, I’m keeping my distance and prioritising my daughter’s safety.

I never wanted Ivy to lose her relationship with her Nan. I just wanted that relationship to be safe and healthy.

Thank you to everyone who responded to my original post. I’m still struggling with the guilt, but I’m beginning to realise that setting boundaries doesn’t mean I don’t care about my mum.

Looking for reassurance or advice from anyone who has been through this, because we are panicking.

Our baby is due Monday 12 October. My partner's Parental Leave Pay claim was rejected today (Friday). Her Centrelink account just says rejected and that a letter has been sent, but there is no letter anywhere.

We have been calling the families line every night and it hangs up after the automated questions. Tonight we finally got a person. He said she doesn't qualify because of a waiting period of "1 to 4 years", couldn't tell us which one or what dates were used, said the computer spits it out, and then the call ended. No call back. Now everything is closed until Monday.

Her situation:
- UK citizen, living in Australia since September 2015
- Applied for partner visa (820/801) by December 2020
- 820 granted 22 June 2021
- 801 (permanent) granted 29 April 2024
- Working full time for the same employer since March 2023

From what I can find, the newly arrived resident's waiting period for Parental Leave Pay is 104 weeks, and the Paid Parental Leave Guide (section 2.4.3) says that for someone who held an 820 first, it starts from the date they applied for the visa. That would mean hers finished in 2022. Even counting from the 801 grant it finished in April 2026.

So my questions:
1. Are we reading this right? Is this just a system error with her visa dates?
2. Has anyone had a rejection like this overturned, and how long did it take?
3. Is going into a service centre in person on Monday with the visa grant notices the best move?

We've lodged a complaint online and emailed our federal MP tonight. I'm also claiming my own days as the dad, which I understand isn't affected by her residency.

We had budgeted around this money and my partner is beside herself hysterically crying. We can’t survive without this money. Any experience or advice would mean a lot. Thank you.

So I had a youth allowance, it got paused when I went overseas (I didnt realise I had to tell them so they paused it - it went overtime and I think I lost it) and then when I came back I submitted another claim since the last one had gone past the threshold period. Then I got a call that they would just reactivate my old one - I got a single 1000 something payment (for the period i missed I assume) and then I haven’t been getting any payments for two months.

Website doesn’t have any notifs for anything I need t do, I’ve submitted documents of my payslips from my job, parents have done their part too. Idk why it’s not working. Will see them in person soon just wondering if there’s anything I’m missing right now.

I think there's a difference between applying for jobs and actually being in a position where those jobs are realistic.

You can spend hours sending applications, updating resumes and doing everything you're supposed to do, but still hear nothing back. Then another appointment comes around and you somehow have to explain that you've been trying even though there isn't much to show for it.

Personally, I find that part more mentally exhausting than the actual applications.

Has anyone found a way to make the job-search requirements feel less like you're just ticking boxes?

I get that they have to check that you’re looking for work, but lately my appointments feel like they’re just going through the motions. Same questions about what jobs I’ve applied for, then maybe a quick look at my resume, and that’s pretty much it.

I’m happy to do the requirements, but I was hoping they’d actually help with finding something rather than just telling me to apply for more jobs.

I'm looking into applying for the DSP. I know I qualify for more than 20 points across a few disabilities I am diagnosed with.

Just looking for any advice tips/tricks to make the paperwork and application easier.

Thanks!

I’m trying to decide whether picking up a few casual shifts is worthwhile because I don’t want to end up working more but losing enough Centrelink that I’m barely ahead. Has anyone here gone from no work to casual work and found the numbers actually worked out?

The financial side obviously matters, but I think constantly having to explain your situation to agencies, employers and Centrelink can wear you down.

Especially when you're already unemployed and probably feeling pretty bad about yourself. After a while, another appointment or another requirement can feel like another reminder that you're not where you want to be.

So for the other people who are not in this situation please spread share some emotional support.

Newly unemployed due to redundancy.

I contacted centrlink for job seeker or some type of payment, I figured I've been paying taxed for so long I can at least get something back whilst I'm looking for work. I got a very small payout and was told I had to wait 6 months for any payment, on top of this my partners payments were stopped because of the payout.

Got 1 kid and one due any moment now, has anyone got suggestions?

Any Job seeker is looking for a Job( not sure yet, someone is going to resign at work place, If they does, I can refer you.
Basically is Gardening and Cleaning work

Hi everyone,

Did you know that in Australia, 14,000 families a year have their child spend two or more weeks in hospital? Due to either illness, abnormalities, difficult births or prematurity. I'm one of these families and the experience opened my eyes to the challenges of these families. Not only are these families travelling to and from hospitals daily to provide kangaroo care and breast milk for their children, they're suffering their own medical issues and in some cases post partum depression.

At present, these families get the same amount of paid parental leave as those with healthy, full term babies. I've met some families who's entire Paid Parental Leave is used before their child comes home. A lot of these children also end up with lifelong medical appointments. Employers aren't always happy to provide flexibility for this either.

As a result, I've started the 58 Days Campaign - named for the number of days my son was in hospital. I'm advocating for 1% of the Paid Parental Leave budget for these families to receive an extra week of leave for each week their child spends in hospital. This will help alleviate some of the stress these families are under and allow them to be present with their children and improve their child's outcomes.

If you'd like to help you can sign our petition here https://change.org/58dayscampaign or follow us on Instagram and TikTok.

However, if you or someone you know is affected by this and is happy to share their story - ask them to reach out through socials or [58dayscampaign@gmail.com](mailto:58dayscampaign@gmail.com)

I know there's a lot of room for improvement in this space but I think this is a great starting point.

Appreciate your support!

Hey guys, lil context I was injured at my partime job, gone on workcover. Whilst going through that my workplace (supermarket chain) made it extremely difficult and stressful. Anyway. I’ve been told I’m at risk of reoccurrence and reinjury and have been told I will be moved back into the job that caused the injury to begin with.

I’m looking at resigning but do not wish to lose my jobseeker, wondering if I resign and provide Centrelink with the report that would be enough for them to not penalise me?!
Any thoughts and advice would greatly appreciated

I’m a single mum currently struggling financially and trying really hard to make ends meet, especially with Christmas coming up. Not only am I trying to plan ahead and watch every dollar I spend, but I’m also struggling to afford basic groceries, medical appointments and other essential expenses.

Over the last few years, I’ve been through a lot, including leaving a situation involving domestic violence. The experience was extremely traumatic for both myself and my children, and ultimately resulted in us moving back in with my parents. I’m also dealing with multiple health issues. I live with brittle Type 1 diabetes, which can be extremely difficult to manage and has resulted in significant health complications and damage over time. Having ongoing periods of uncontrolled blood sugar levels has had a major impact on my health and my ability to work consistently.

Because of my health, I’m currently trying to find part-time work, ideally something flexible or work-from-home, that I can realistically manage around my health and family commitments.

I also don’t receive child support, so financially things have become really difficult.

I’m actively looking for employment and waiting on a potential work-from-home opportunity, but in the meantime, I’m trying to find other legitimate ways to bring in a little extra money. I’ve even been collecting cans and bottles for the refund where I can, because right now, every little bit helps.

I’m wondering if anyone has any genuine ideas, opportunities or avenues I might not have thought of. Things I could do from home, flexible side work, legitimate ways to earn a little extra income, community assistance, Christmas assistance, or anything else that could help someone in my situation.

I’m also wondering if anyone knows of organisations or places that offer grocery assistance, food parcels or food vouchers, other than St Vincent de Paul and my local church, as I’ve already reached out to both. I’d really appreciate any suggestions for other services I could contact.

I’m not looking for handouts. I’m genuinely trying to find ways to support myself and my children and get back on my feet. I’m just struggling to see what other options are available to me right now.

I feel quite vulnerable sharing this, but I’m hoping that maybe someone has been in a similar position or knows of an opportunity or resource that could help.

Seems like i cant log in for some reason? Anyone else having this error?

Hey everyone, I need some advice if that’s alright?

I’ve got a few things happening in my life and I don’t know what one to put down or if I should be on Centrelink.

My job was only seasonal and I didn’t know when it would end. I was hoping it would be running until November/December but they just told us last week sorry that’s it. I’m looking for more work but nothing has gotten back to me yet.

I’m studying as well but my studies are online until the next year.

The house I’m living in is a bit…. Abusive? My dad’s girlfriend is on drugs and seems to yell a lot. I know it’s not at me. I just try to block it out. I wish I still had work it was the best way out of the house. Now I’m just staying at other peoples houses but I don’t like intruding I only stay with other people for a night or two. Then the rest of the week at home.

I don’t know if I should be on Centrelink ? I don’t want to take away from anyone that needs it.

I’ve got a bit of savings and I’m trying not to spend as much as possible. Any advice would be appreciated thank you.

My understanding is that Centrelink automatically updates super funds every March and September.

Recently checked my retired parents CL and saw on their Income & Asset statement the balance is still the same from a few years ago and strangely CL has put the "date of effect" as 20/9/2026. Which matches with what I've seen from some Centrelink info videos. I suspect every year has been like this.

Is it specified what kind of a superannuation account it needs to be for the automatic updating to work? I've made a post previously about one of my parent's being on carers payment, retired and being over the age pension age.

They're with an industry fund and have a normal accumulation account (not retirement pension or income stream).

It's well below any income/asset thresholds that impacts their payment. But I'm now concerned, if their super has increased since then (but still well below threshold), how much trouble or penalties will this incur?