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Centrelink / Veteran Payments / Pension Payments

An overview of how to access different payments and which forms to use.
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Understanding pension payments

The Age Pension is a support payment from the Federal Government that you can access once you reach the pension age and if your income and/or assets are under the applicable limits. It is one of a network of income support payments for Australians working less hours or not working at all, also including the Disability Support Pension and carer payments.

The Age Pension can support you to be able to afford everyday living expenses such as food, medical services and housing costs, and to engage in the community.

It can also help you to maintain your financial independence and to live at home for longer.

Alongside the Age Pension, which is paid through Centrelink, you may be able to receive financial support from the Government through other Services Australia payments. These include rent assistance, a mobility allowance if you are unable to use public transport, a Remote Area Allowance to help with the cost of living away from services and the Pensioner Concession Card for access to cheaper healthcare, medication and other discounts.

More information about how pension rates are worked out is contained in our guide to what you need to know about the pension.

Super funds have a complex relationship with the Age Pension as a type of income stream and it is best to speak to a financial adviser about how this works. The adviser will also be able to explain how you can access pensions and any impact they may have on accessing aged care services.

For financial advice call 1300 863 216 or search for a financial adviser online.

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Understanding pension payments

Department of Veterans Affairs benefits and services

If you’re a veteran, war widow or widower, you may be able to access additional financial supports and look for aged care services through the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA). There are a number of different payments that you could apply for ranging from income support and housing assistance to support with accessing health services.

To be eligible for supports through the DVA you must meet the criteria of having served in the Australian Defence Force, be a veteran of certain countries allied with Australia or be a Reservist who participated in Disaster Relief Service or Border Protection Service.

There are specific rules around what constitutes as service, which can be read on the DVA website, but there are no age requirements for DVA supports or payments.

Find out more about the benefits of care designed for veterans here.

For some of these services the DVA will cover the entire cost – for example for community nursing – and for some the DVA will contribute towards the cost, with the rest covered by another Government department or possibly yourself, such as for residential aged care.

A financial adviser will be able to assist in working through the different options available to you and how you can make the most of these supports.

For advice you can speak to a financial planner on 1300 863 216.

Read more information here on:

Department of Veterans Affairs benefits and services


Information guides

The aged care services available through the DVA provides entry level home care compared to the Australian aged care system. [Source: Shutterstock]

Navigating aged care as a veteran

Navigating the aged care system in Australia can be confusing at the best of times, let alone adding the complexity of being a veteran and having unique health complications from national service.

Payments managed by Centrelink are designed to assist people who are disadvantaged for a number of reasons. [Source: Shutterstock]

What does Centrelink do in Australia?

Centrelink is the Australian Government organisation which delivers social security payments and services. It is run by the Services Australia department and operates in every State and Territory across the country.

See more financial planning guides

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