The Meeting Place > Government & Centrelink > Reporting Income to Centrelink when Overseas

Reporting Income to Centrelink when Overseas

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JC
4 yrs ago

I am in receipt of the Age Pension and dutifully report my wife’s work income each fortnight. As a result I receive a small part pension.

The last few times we have travelled overseas (1 to 3 weeks) I have received an online letter from Centrelink saying that “because your or your partner's circumstances have changed you no longer need to report your income......” etc etc. And they pay me a FULL pension.

I cannot report my wife’s income! On return to Australia another online letter arrives telling me that I need to commence reporting income, etc etc which I dutifully do. Is this normal? Why would I get the full pension because my wife and I are out of Australia? My wife reckons if they tell you you no longer need to report then so be it. Take the money! 

5 comments
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McDaddy
4 yrs ago

Was your wife still paid while she was overseas? Does she work casually or full time etc?

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McDaddy
4 yrs ago

Was your wife still paid while she was overseas? Does she work casually or full time etc?

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JC
4 yrs ago

My wife works part time and was paid while we were overseas. I wanted to do the right thing and report while overseas but the Centrelink on-line system (through MyGov) just said “your or your partners circumstances have changed and you no longer need to report.....” The facility to report was removed, until we returned to Australia. Strange! I’ve just assumed that Centrelink must know what it is doing!

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Colours
4 yrs ago

They seem to have no idea what they are doing.

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McDaddy
4 yrs ago

 Do you report a different wage amoubnt for her each fortnight in Australia?

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JC
4 yrs ago

Her salary rate (and hours) is pretty constant. We are about to go overseas again next week for a few weeks. I’ll see if the same thing happens and if so I might call Centrelink and ask, when we return. I don’t want to suddenly find out in the future that I owe money. Their previous on-line letters (when we leave Australia) have been quite definite though in their wording - “...your or your partners circumstances have changed and you no longer need to report income.....”. I was just hoping to post here and see if others have had the same experience.

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Triss
4 yrs ago

Make sure you print the letters out and keep them (and a copy) in a safe place.

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Kymbo
4 yrs ago

We have just got back from overseas & had the same issue with Centrelink while overseas & when we got back. On our next reporting date I reported my income for my wife’s pension. The following week got another letter from centrelink saying because your circumstances have changed you no longer need to report income. I really don’t know what they’re doing as I receive a superannuation pension & income from investments. However make sure you read the letter carefully, on the next page it will tell you that if your circumstances have changed you must let centrelink know within 14 days.

5 comments



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