Budgeting on Centrelink

The contents provided on this page are for informational purposes only and do not constitute financial advice. Consider your personal circumstances and objectives before making any financial decisions.

If you receive Centrelink payments, especially if you receive multiple payments, it can be tricky to juggle your finances and manage essential expenses like rent, bills and groceries amid cost of living pressures. 

But there are ways to create more breathing room, even on a limited income. Budgeting on Centrelink is about more than spreadsheets — it’s about creating a system that works with your payment schedule and for your real-life expenses.

Here are some steps to get started!

1. Start with a clear picture

First, understand exactly how much money is coming in and going out. Look at:

• Your regular Centrelink payments
• Fixed costs like rent, electricity, phone and transport 
• Variable costs such as groceries, medical expenses and fuel 
• Debts or recurring costs like subscriptions and insurance.

You can use the free budget planner from MoneySmart to help map everything out or the free budgeting tool in the Beforepay app. 

2. Align your budget with your payment cycle 

Finding apps or services that understand the rhythm of your cash flow can make it easier for you to monitor and adjust your pay cycle. 

For example, the Beforepay app offers a spending insights dashboard and budgeting tool designed to make it easy for you to track and allocate your income and expenses. In the long run, tools like this can help you avoid overdrafts and keep your spending on track. 

Timing is one of the most important parts of budgeting, so being able to anticipate your Centrelink payments can help you maintain your budget. 

Some things you might want to try to help you stay on track are: 

• Pay essential bills (like rent or utilities) immediately after your payment lands
• Split up bills over the fortnight if your providers allow it (e.g. weekly rent payments instead of fortnightly)
• Keep a calendar or reminder for bill due dates to avoid late fees.

3. Make your money go further

You don’t need a big income to make a budget work. Even small tweaks can have a big impact. 

Some things you could try to make your money go further: 

• Automate your savings — even $5-10 per fortnight set aside into an emergency savings account can build up over time.
• Set a “spending limit” on flexible items like groceries or takeaway. Using gift cards can help cap your spending and avoid overspending at places like the supermarket.
• Review subscriptions and cancel anything unused. See our tips for managing your subscriptions. 

4. Ask for help when you need

Budgeting is useful, but it’s not always enough — especially in an emergency. If you're struggling to stay on top of things, you don’t have to do it alone.

Here are some free, confidential resources that can help:

• National Debt Helpline (1800 007 007): Speak to a financial counsellor who can help you plan, manage debt, and deal with creditors.
• Ask Izzy: An online tool that connects you to food relief, housing support, financial services, and emergency help in your area.
• NILS (No Interest Loan Scheme): Interest-free loans of up to $2,000 for essentials like whitegoods, car repairs, or medical needs — no credit checks or fees.
• Advance Payments: Eligible recipients can apply for a portion of their future payments in advance — repaid in small instalments with no interest.
• Beforepay Pay Advance: If you are earning some income in addition to government benefits, you may be able to apply for a no credit check loan with Beforepay Pay Advance – a short-term advance for a small fee with no traditional check required. You will, however, need to meet our eligibility criteria and requirements, such as income requirements. Find out more about eligibility for Beforepay Pay Advance.

For further support with your finances view our list of financial support and resources.

Final thoughts

Budgeting on Centrelink isn’t always easy — but it’s not impossible. With the right tools, planning, and support, you can build a buffer, make smarter choices, and feel more in control.

Disclaimer: Beforepay Group Ltd, ABN: 63 633 925 505. Beforepay allows eligible customers to access their pay and provides budgeting tools. Beforepay does not provide financial products, financial advice or credit products. The views provided in this article include factual information and the personal opinions of relevant Beforepay staff and do not constitute financial advice. Beforepay and its related bodies corporate make no representation or warranty, express or implied, as to the accuracy, completeness, timeliness or reliability of the contents of this blog post and do not accept any liability for any loss whatsoever arising from the use of this information. Please read our Terms of Service carefully before deciding whether to use any of our services.