What Centrelink bereavement payments are available after a death?
When a partner, parent, or person you cared for passes away, several Centrelink payments may be available. Many surviving partners do not realise they can claim, and some wait too long to apply.
For the official source on every payment in this article, see Services Australia's "What help there is when an adult passes away" page.
*This is general information, not financial or legal advice. Payment amounts and eligibility rules change and depend on your circumstances. Confirm what applies to your situation with Services Australia before acting.*
Before you rely on the numbers
Treat every dollar figure in this guide as a working guide, not a fixed quote. Funeral prices change by provider, suburb, cemetery, crematorium and the choices made by the family. Before you sign an arrangement, ask for an itemised written quote that separates the funeral director's professional service fee from third-party costs like the crematorium, cemetery, celebrant, flowers, notices and death certificate fees.
Ask which items are legally required and which are optional. If a fee is not clear, ask what it covers before approving it.
| Payment | Who is eligible | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Bereavement payment | Surviving partner of someone on Age Pension, Disability Support Pension, Carer Payment or certain other payments | Lump sum covering up to 14 weeks: the difference between the couple rate and new single rate |
| Pension Bonus Bereavement Payment | Surviving partner of someone registered for the now-closed Pension Bonus Scheme who had not yet claimed | One-off lump sum equal to the bonus they would have been paid |
| Carer Payment continuation | A carer whose care recipient passes away | Carer Payment continues for up to 14 weeks |
| Stillborn Baby Payment | Parent of a baby stillborn after 20 weeks or weighing more than 400g, meeting the income test | One-off lump sum, indexed each 1 July; check the current rate with Services Australia |
Bereavement payment for surviving partners
If your partner was receiving Age Pension, Disability Support Pension, Carer Payment, or certain other Centrelink payments, you may be entitled to a lump sum bereavement payment.
How it works:
- Both members of the couple were receiving payments at the time of death
- The surviving partner becomes eligible for an income support payment in their own right (or already is)
- Services Australia calculates the payment over a 14 week period from the date of death, broadly the difference between the couple combined rate and the new single rate
- That difference is paid to the surviving partner as a lump sum
The exact figure depends on the pension type, the rates at the time of death, and the surviving partner's circumstances. Services Australia calculates this when you notify them; you do not need to do the maths yourself.
For the official details, see the Services Australia "What help there is when an adult passes away" page.
Pension Bonus Bereavement Payment
A separate payment for surviving partners of someone who registered for the Pension Bonus Scheme (a now-closed scheme that ran until 2014, but eligible registrants are still in the system).
If your partner was registered and had not yet claimed their bonus, you may be entitled to receive the bonus they would have been paid. This is a one-off lump sum, separate from the bereavement payment above.
Many families do not know about this. If your partner was a long-term Age Pension registrant or talked about a "pension bonus", ask Services Australia whether they are eligible.
Carer Payment continuation
If your partner was receiving Carer Payment for caring for someone, and that person passes away, the Carer Payment continues for up to 14 weeks. This gives you time to adjust without an immediate income drop.
If you were the carer and the person you cared for has passed away, the same 14-week continuation applies to your payment.
For more on Carer Payment after a loss, see the Carer Gateway (1800 422 737) which offers free counselling for bereaved carers.
Stillborn Baby Payment
A lump sum payment for parents of a stillborn baby. Eligibility:
- The baby was stillborn (delivered after 20 weeks of pregnancy or weighing more than 400g)
- The parent meets the income test
- The parent has not received Parental Leave Pay for the same child
The payment is a one-off, tax-free lump sum. The rate is indexed and adjusts on 1 July each year, so check the current figure on the Services Australia Stillborn Baby Payment page before relying on it.
Specialist support for stillbirth and pregnancy loss:
- Red Nose Grief and Loss: 1300 308 307 (24/7)
- SANDS Australia: 1300 072 637 (24/7)
- Bears of Hope: 1300 11 HOPE
For more on perinatal loss, see our grief support resources.
What if you were not on Centrelink before
If your partner passed away and neither of you were on Centrelink, you may still be eligible for an income support payment now. Common payments:
- Age Pension if you are over the qualifying age
- JobSeeker Payment if you are working age and need income support while you adjust
- Disability Support Pension if you have a permanent or long-term disability
- Carer Payment if you care for someone with a disability or medical condition
Some bereavement provisions apply for new claimants in the weeks after a loss. Speak with Services Australia about your specific situation.
How to apply
The Australian Death Notification Service (deathnotification.gov.au) is a free federal one-stop notifier that covers Centrelink, super funds, banks, insurers, and utilities through a single online form. Many families use this first.
For Centrelink-specific applications:
- By phone: 132 300 (Older Australians line, for Age Pension related bereavement) or 13 27 17 (Disability, Sickness and Carers line, for Carer Payment continuation and disability/illness payment matters). For other payment types, see servicesaustralia.gov.au/phone-us.
- In person: at any Services Australia service centre
- Online: through myGov, with a Centrelink-linked account
You will need:
- The death certificate or interim medical certificate of cause of death
- Proof of identity for yourself and the deceased
- Marriage or de facto relationship documentation (where relevant)
- Bank account details for payment
Notify Services Australia of the death as soon as practicable. The bereavement payment is calculated over a 14 week period from the date of death, but the claim itself can generally be submitted within 26 weeks (some bereavement payments allow up to 52 weeks; confirm the deadline for your specific payment with Services Australia).
What if Centrelink owes the deceased money
If your partner was owed Centrelink payments at the time of death (a payment had been calculated but not paid), the estate is entitled to receive those funds. The executor or administrator notifies Centrelink and provides estate documentation.
If the deceased was overpaid (a payment continued after eligibility ended), Centrelink may seek repayment from the estate. Speak with a wills and estates solicitor if a Centrelink debt is raised against the estate.
Frequently asked questions
What Centrelink bereavement payments can I claim?
How much is the Centrelink bereavement payment?
Who is eligible for a bereavement payment?
How do I notify Centrelink that someone has passed away?
What is the Stillborn Baby Payment?
What if my partner passed away and we were not on Centrelink?
How long do I have to apply?
When you need practical help
Services Australia: 132 300 (Older Australians, for Age Pension related bereavement) or 13 27 17 (Disability, Sickness and Carers line). For other payment types see servicesaustralia.gov.au/phone-us. Australian Death Notification Service: free federal one-stop notifier. ASIC MoneySmart - Losing your partner: broader financial guide. Carer Gateway: 1800 422 737 for bereaved carers.
When you are ready
This guide is general information to help Australian families, editorially reviewed by the Funerals Direct team from publicly available sources. It is not legal or financial advice. Funeral prices change and vary by provider and region, so always ask for an itemised written quote. For prepaid funerals, bonds, or insurance, consider speaking with an independent financial adviser or a free financial counsellor on 1800 007 007.
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