Centrelink Home Loans Australia: How Lenders May Assess Payments
By the Mortgagefy Team · Published · Last reviewed
Some lenders may count certain Centrelink payments as income, but treatment varies a lot between lenders and between payments. This guide explains how lenders may assess them, and what can make an application clearer.
- How lenders treat paymentsPayment by payment
- Centrelink and lendersWhich payments may count
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Who this guide is for
- People receiving the Age Pension, Disability Support Pension or Carer Payment
- Parents receiving Family Tax Benefit or Parenting Payment
- Borrowers with a mix of work income and Centrelink payments
- Single parents and carers planning to buy
- Applicants applying with a partner or guarantor
The real challenge
Lenders generally prefer income that is stable and ongoing. Some Centrelink payments are ongoing, while others are short-term or can change when your circumstances change, and lenders treat each one differently.
Many lenders look for other income alongside Centrelink payments, and some count only part of a payment. Which payments count, and how much, varies by lender and changes over time.
How lenders may treat different payments
| Income type | What lenders commonly look at (varies) |
|---|---|
| Age Pension | Often treated as ongoing income by some lenders, sometimes alongside other income such as superannuation or part-time work. Treatment varies. |
| Disability Support Pension | Some lenders may accept it as ongoing income. Policies vary, and some ask for supporting documents. |
| Carer Payment | May be considered by some lenders, often depending on how long it is expected to continue. Treatment varies. |
| Family Tax Benefit and Parenting Payment | May be counted partly by some lenders, and may depend on the age of your children. Many lenders look at other income as well. |
| Short-term or variable payments | Often not counted, or counted only in part. Check with your chosen provider. |
General information only. Requirements vary by lender and change over time. Confirm current requirements with your chosen provider.
Centrelink income and home loans
Services Australia delivers payments such as the Age Pension, Disability Support Pension, Carer Payment and Family Tax Benefit (see Services Australia). Whether a lender will count a payment as income when you apply for a home loan is the lender's decision, and policies differ.
Lenders commonly look at how stable and ongoing a payment is, whether you have other income, your living expenses and debts, and your deposit. A larger deposit and a clear record of payments can make an application easier to assess. Government payments can also change if your circumstances change, so lenders may look at how long a payment is likely to continue.
Nothing here guarantees approval. A broker can explain how different lenders treat your payments and whether a guarantor or a combined application with a partner may help.
Documents that can help
- Recent income statements or payment summaries from Services Australia
- Your Centrelink payment history if a lender asks for it
- Payslips or tax returns if you have other income
- Proof of your deposit and identification
- A list of your debts, credit card limits and living expenses
Ways to make your application clearer
- Keep your income statements and payment history together
- Show other income, such as part-time work, if you have it
- Close or reduce credit cards you do not use
- Speak to a broker before you apply to several lenders
You can model repayments and borrowing capacity with our home loan calculators before you speak to a broker.
How Mortgagefy helps
- Compare how lenders treat your specific payments
- Explain whether a guarantor or combined application may help
- Prepare your application with the right documents for your situation
- Explain the trade-offs between lenders in plain language
There is no obligation. We are a Sydney mortgage broker, and we will tell you plainly where a lender's policy is unlikely to suit your situation.
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This information is general in nature and is not personal financial, credit or tax advice. Policies vary by lender and change frequently. Confirm current requirements with your chosen provider and seek professional advice. Information checked 4 October 2026. Mortgagefy is an authorised credit representative under Australian Credit Licence 348324.