Calling Centrelink
Notifying Services Australia when someone dies.
Call 13 23 00 (the Centrelink general line). You can also visit a Services Australia centre in person.
The call
When you get through:
“Hello, I need to report the death of someone who was receiving [pension/payment name, or "I'm not sure which payments they received"].”
“Their name is [full name], date of birth [DOB], and they passed away on [date].”
“I am their [relationship].”
Tap to select.
They will ask for the death certificate number and your contact details. They will stop the person's payments and may tell you about bereavement payments you could be entitled to.
What to ask about
- Bereavement period extension of existing payments
- Whether you are eligible for any ongoing income support payments
- Whether you need to return any overpayments
- Whether they had a Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card to cancel
- Medicare cancellation (same department)
See all 27 guides in When someone dies →
From bluetulipco.com/library/after-death/script-calling-centrelink — printed 1 October 2026.
General information only — not a substitute for legal, medical, financial, or therapeutic advice. Read the full disclaimer.
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