Lately, many Australians have been seeing posts online claiming that Centrelink (Services Australia) will issue a one-off bonus of AUD $750 in October as cost-of-living relief. Some versions even bump that figure (or change it) — $890, $1,800 — all kinds of variations. These posts typically urge you to “check eligibility now” or “claim yours before the deadline.”
Thing is, authorities have warned that these posts are scams or misinformation. Services Australia has explicitly stated that no such bonus payment has been approved or announced.
So yes — unfortunately, if you’re reading something that looks like “you’ll get $750 from Centrelink in October,” be very skeptical.
Why These Rumours Spread (and Why It’s Easy to Be Fooled)
Okay, to be fair: it’s not surprising these rumours catch on. Here’s why:
- Cost pressures are real: Many people are under stress from inflation, energy bills, rent, and general living costs. So any suggestion of extra help sounds hopeful.
- History of stimulus payments: During COVID, in 2020 and early 2021, the Australian government did issue Economic Support Payments, sometimes $750 for eligible people. That past precedent gives some “proof by analogy” to those who want to believe extra bonuses are possible.
- Clickbait & phishing business models: Some of these “bonus” pages are disguised phishing traps. They prompt you to enter your myGov or Centrelink login credentials — which gives scammers access to your account.
- AI / content mills: There’s evidence that AI or low-cost content mills generate false pages claiming bonuses just to attract ad revenue or mislead.
So, when you see something that promises “a one-off payment of $750 from Centrelink,” the first reaction should be: Is this legit, or is this a clickbait trap?
What We Do Know: Official Payments & Support
While that particular $750 “bonus” is not real as of now, there are legitimate payments and supplements from Services Australia or related agencies. Some background to keep in mind (and to help you sort fact from fiction):
- The Economic Support Payments from 2020/2021 were part of the COVID-19 stimulus. Two of those payments were $750, given to social security, veteran, and other income support recipients and eligible concession card holders.
- Services Australia indicates that “These were extra payments paid as part of the coronavirus (COVID-19) stimulus.”
- There’s no current, publicly announced scheme of $750 cost-of-living bonus for 2024 or 2025 from Centrelink.
So, yes — the previous $750 payments did exist (but under very specific stimulus programs). What’s happening now is a rumour or scam, unless some new government policy is officially declared.
Who Would Qualify — If It Were Real
Just hypothetically — if there were a $750 cost-of-living bonus, who might qualify? Drawing from how past stimulus payments have been structured, here’s a picture:
- People already receiving income support payments (e.g. Age Pension, Disability Support Pension, Carer Payment, etc.).
- Holders of eligible concession cards or government benefit cards.
- Recipients of Family Tax Benefit in some cases.
- People who satisfy the “test date” or eligibility dates: typically the government picks a date (or window) when you must hold the payment or concession card.
- Exclusions likely: people already receiving a supplementary or bonus payment for the same purpose (i.e. you might be disqualified if you already got a “cost of living” add-on).
Again: this is speculative, based on earlier support payments policies (especially during COVID). But if the government ever did roll out such a bonus, it would probably mirror earlier eligibility structures.
How to Tell If a “Bonus” Claim Is Fake (and What to Do Instead)
Because these scams are floating around, it’s wise to know the red flags — and the safe checks:
Red Flags of a Scam / False Bonus
- Non-.gov.au URL: Official Australian government websites use .gov.au domains. If a site is “.com” or “.net” or something weird, that’s a warning.
- “Check your eligibility” tool prompting login: Be wary when a site asks you to input your myGov or Centrelink credentials to see how much you’ll get. That’s often how credentials are phished. (
- Sensational deadlines: “Claim before October 31 or you lose out” — pressure tactics are classic in scams.
- Varying amounts or changing numbers: One site says $750, another says $890, another $1,800 — inconsistency is a sign.
- No announcement from Services Australia or the government: Any legitimate bonus scheme would be announced by official sources.
What You Should Do Instead
- Always check servicesaustralia.gov.au or my.gov.au for official updates.
- Use Services Australia’s social media or verified accounts — but even then, check that the URL is correct.
- If someone sends you a link or message claiming there’s a bonus, don’t click it. Go to the official site yourself and navigate from there.
- Set strong security: two-factor authentication, verbal passwords, etc., on your myGov/Centrelink accounts.
- Report suspicious pages or emails to official bodies (e.g. Scamwatch or Services Australia).