I am interested to know response to this. 

Problem is I know people who are infact in a relationship but lying to Centrelink. This is your problem. Some people do right thing but others ruin it for them as they rip off the system. 

‘If I was Centrelink I’d be suspicious of this set up. Even if can show  seperate rooms. As they all do this. 

I collect board from my children and I have never told Centrelink. I do not make anything from this money so it is not income.

Are you both going to try and get the Pension as two singles living at the same address? If yes, then you may have to prove that he really is an ex partner. If you are still sharing bank accounts, or viewed by others as a couple you have no hope. If he claims rent assistance for the board he pays, you will have to declare the income. If not, and you really are just sharing, it should be ok. But be prepared to come under scrutiny.

We haven't had a shared bank account for over twenty years.  We lived separately for many years, but when he got evicted due to major renovations, I let him move in to the spare room, while he looked for something else.  However, as we are still really good friends, and the income helps, he ended up staying.  I'm still a few year's off pension age, but I was wondering if this would impact my eligibility.  I believe board from a close family member is considered exempt -ie; child, parent, in-law.  But, is an ex, who is the father of my child, considered a close family member would be the question here?  

Your ex partner is NOT considerd a close family member for that purpose.

parent (may include step-parent, foster parent or adoptive parent), orchild (may include step-child, foster child or adoptive child), orsibling (may include step-brother, step-sister, foster brother, foster sister, adoptive brother or adoptive sister).70% of what he pays is consudered Income against Pension, unless you are also providing meals etc, then the Percentage drops.

 

This could be a very tricky situation for the original poster and I agree with McDaddy "your ex partner is not considerd a close family member for that purpose."

In situations where one party is residing in a separate fully self-contained dwelling such as a flat attached to the home or in a second home on the property, it is more likely to be considered that the person is living separately and apart.

Where a married, registered or de facto couple continue to share a household after separation, an assessment will be made to clarify the living arrangements of the parties. Evidence may have to be collected and it might not be palatable.

The only way you can know anything for sure is to get it from the horse’s mouth i.e. Centrelink.

Thank you so much for your responses - that clears it up a lot.  I still thought he was a "close family member" - but, it appears not.  I do provide all the meals, as he has never been able to cook and it makes sense to cook for both of us.  I am very grateful for having this explained.  Thank you