Key takeaways
- Some stable Centrelink payments can count toward a home loan — many can’t.
- Age Pension, DSP, Carer Payment and Family Tax Benefit are more commonly accepted.
- Payments seen as temporary are generally not counted.
- Acceptance varies hugely by lender — choosing the right one is decisive.
Government payments are a genuine part of many households’ income, but lenders treat them cautiously and inconsistently. The good news: certain stable, ongoing payments are accepted by some lenders, especially alongside other income. The key is knowing which payments count where — so you apply to a lender that says yes, not one that says no.
Which payments tend to count
Lenders are most comfortable with payments that are stable and long-term:
- Age Pension and Disability Support Pension — ongoing and predictable.
- Carer Payment — often accepted where it’s established and continuing.
- Family Tax Benefit — sometimes counted, frequently where children are young enough that it will continue for years.
Payments regarded as temporary or conditional are usually excluded. Each lender keeps its own list and its own rules on how much to include.
Illustrative example. A household combining a salary with an ongoing Family Tax Benefit might have one lender include that benefit in the assessment and another ignore it — changing the borrowing figure. Whether a payment counts depends on its type, its expected duration, and the lender’s policy.
The single biggest factor is lender choice. Applying to a lender that doesn’t accept your payment type just produces a decline and an unnecessary credit enquiry. Match first, apply once.
Strengthening your application
Combine Centrelink income with other stable income where you can, keep your credit file clean and debts low, provide clear evidence of your payments, and bring a reasonable deposit. It all supports your serviceability. And because acceptance is so lender-specific, this is a situation where a broker who knows the policies is especially valuable.
Broker Insight. Whether a particular payment “counts” is one of the most lender-specific questions in lending. We’ve seen the same income accepted by one lender and ignored by another — it pays to check before assuming.
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We’ll tell you which lenders accept your Centrelink payments and what you can borrow — clearly and honestly. Free, no obligation.
Book your free game plan callFrequently asked questions
Can I use Centrelink payments to get a home loan?
Sometimes — it depends on the payment type and the lender. Stable, ongoing payments such as the Age Pension, Disability Support Pension, Carer Payment and Family Tax Benefit are accepted by some lenders as part of your income, often when combined with other income. Payments seen as temporary are less likely to be counted. Because policies differ significantly, the lender you choose is decisive.
Which Centrelink payments do lenders accept?
Lenders are most likely to consider stable, long-term payments — for example the Age Pension, Disability Support Pension, Carer Payment, and Family Tax Benefit (often where children are young enough that it will continue for years). Short-term or conditional payments are generally not counted. Each lender has its own list and its own rules on how much it will include, so matching to the right one matters.
How can I strengthen an application that includes Centrelink income?
Combine it with other stable income where possible, keep a clean credit file and low debts, and provide clear evidence of the payments and their continuity. A reasonable deposit helps too. Most importantly, apply to a lender that accepts your particular payment type — applying to one that doesn’t simply results in a decline and a credit enquiry.
This guide is general information only and does not take your personal circumstances into account. It is not financial or credit advice. Government schemes, lender policies, rates and tax rules change over time and eligibility criteria apply. Speak with us for advice tailored to your situation.