The arrival of autumn in Australia brings with it not just cooler temperatures and falling leaves, but also a series of public holidays that impact daily life across the nation. As Easter and Anzac Day approach in 2025, millions of Australians who rely on Centrelink payments need to be aware of significant changes to payment schedules and service centre operations.
For those dependent on regular government support, holiday periods can create unexpected financial stress if they’re caught unprepared for payment date changes. This comprehensive guide aims to help you navigate the upcoming Easter and Anzac Day period, ensuring you know exactly when services will be unavailable and when your payments will arrive.
Easter Holiday Period Service Changes
Centrelink Office Closures
All Centrelink and Medicare service centres across Australia will observe the following closure schedule during the 2025 Easter period:
- Good Friday (18 April 2025): All offices closed
- Easter Saturday (19 April 2025): Most offices closed (check local service centres for exceptions)
- Easter Sunday (20 April 2025): All offices closed
- Easter Monday (21 April 2025): All offices closed
Normal operations will resume on Tuesday, 22 April 2025, with standard opening hours from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. Remember that even during this extended closure period, many services remain accessible through the myGov portal and the Centrelink mobile app.
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Phone Line Availability
While physical locations will be closed, limited phone services will operate according to the following schedule:
- Good Friday (18 April): Emergency assistance lines only
- Easter Saturday (19 April): Limited services (8:00 am – 5:00 pm)
- Easter Sunday (20 April): Emergency assistance lines only
- Easter Monday (21 April): Limited services (8:00 am – 5:00 pm)
The emergency assistance line (1800 132 468) will remain operational 24/7 throughout the Easter period for urgent matters. However, wait times may be significantly longer than usual.
Easter Payment Schedule Adjustments
Due to the multiple consecutive public holidays during Easter, Services Australia has rescheduled many Centrelink payments to ensure recipients aren’t left without funds. The amended payment schedule aims to deliver payments early rather than late wherever possible.
Age Pension and Disability Support Pension
For those receiving the Age Pension or Disability Support Pension, payments normally scheduled for the Easter period will be processed according to this adjusted timetable:
- Payments normally received on Friday, 18 April will be deposited on Wednesday, 16 April
- Payments normally received on Monday, 21 April will be deposited on Thursday, 17 April
JobSeeker and Youth Allowance
JobSeeker and Youth Allowance recipients should note these changes:
- Payments due on Good Friday (18 April) will be processed on Thursday, 17 April
- Payments due on Easter Monday (21 April) will be processed on Thursday, 17 April
- Payments scheduled for Tuesday, 22 April will proceed as normal
Family Tax Benefit and Child Care Subsidy
Family payments will follow this adjusted schedule:
- Family Tax Benefit Part A and B fortnightly payments due during 18-21 April will be processed on Wednesday, 16 April
- Child Care Subsidy payments to services will be processed early, on Thursday, 17 April
Reporting Obligations During Easter
Despite the holiday period, mutual obligation requirements remain in place for many payment recipients. However, reporting dates have been adjusted to accommodate the closure period.
JobSeeker Reporting
If your regular reporting date falls on any of the Easter public holidays (18-21 April), you can:
- Report up to five days early (from Sunday, 13 April)
- Continue reporting through the myGov website or Centrelink app
- Call the self-service reporting line (13 67 21) if you’re unable to report online
It’s crucial to note that early reporting may mean estimating your income or activity hours for the final days of your reporting period. If your actual circumstances differ from what you report, you must update this information as soon as possible after the Easter period to avoid potential overpayments or compliance issues.
Youth Allowance Reporting
Similar adjustments apply to Youth Allowance recipients:
- Early reporting available from Sunday, 13 April
- Online services remain the recommended reporting method
- You must report accurately or update your information later if circumstances change
Anzac Day Service Changes (25 April 2025)
Office Closures
As Anzac Day falls on a Friday in 2025, all Centrelink and Medicare service centres will be closed on:
- Friday, 25 April 2025 (Anzac Day)
Additionally, some service centres may operate with reduced hours on Thursday, 24 April, to allow staff to prepare for commemorative events.
Phone Services on Anzac Day
Phone services will operate as follows on Anzac Day:
- Limited services from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm
- Emergency assistance line available throughout the day
- Self-service phone options fully operational
Anzac Day Payment Adjustments
Payment shifts for the Anzac Day period are less complex than Easter but still require attention:
Regular Payments
- Payments due on Friday, 25 April will instead be processed on Thursday, 24 April
- Normal payment schedules resume on Monday, 28 April
Reporting Requirements
JobSeeker and Youth Allowance recipients whose reporting day falls on Anzac Day should:
- Report on Thursday, 24 April instead
- Use online services where possible to avoid potential phone line congestion
Accessing Emergency Payments During Holiday Periods
The holiday period doesn’t alter your eligibility for emergency assistance. If you experience genuine financial hardship during Easter or around Anzac Day, you may still apply for:
Crisis Payment
Available to eligible people experiencing extreme circumstances, including:
- Domestic violence situations requiring relocation
- Natural disaster impacts
- Recently released from incarceration
- Recently arrived humanitarian entrants
Applications must be made within 7 days of the crisis event. During the holiday period, these applications can still be submitted online or via the emergency assistance line.
Advance Payments
If you anticipate financial strain during the holiday period, you may be eligible to apply for an advance payment before the service closures. To qualify:
- You must be receiving an eligible payment for at least 3 months
- Have no outstanding advance debts
- Meet financial eligibility criteria
Advance applications should be submitted well before the Easter period begins, ideally by Friday, 11 April 2025, to ensure processing before the holiday closures.
Digital Services During the Holiday Period
While physical offices close, Services Australia’s digital ecosystem remains largely operational throughout Easter and Anzac Day:
myGov and Centrelink Online
The myGov portal and Centrelink online accounts will be accessible 24/7, allowing you to:
- Check payment details and history
- Update personal information
- Upload documents
- Access letters and notifications
- Report income (where applicable)
Centrelink Mobile App
The mobile app provides streamlined access to essential functions:
- Payment reporting
- Document uploading via the mobile camera
- Message centre access
- Payment calendar and history
Some scheduled maintenance may occur during off-peak hours over the holiday period, potentially causing brief service interruptions. Any planned outages will be announced on the Services Australia website and social media channels.
Preparing for the Holiday Period
To avoid financial stress or payment complications during Easter and Anzac Day, consider these preparation strategies:
Financial Planning
- Budget carefully for the extended Easter weekend
- Account for any payment date changes in your financial planning
- Consider setting aside a small emergency buffer if possible
Documentation Readiness
- Submit any required documentation well before Good Friday
- Keep digital copies of recent payslips or relevant documents
- Ensure your myGov account is accessible (check your password works)
Contact Information
- Update your contact details with Centrelink before the holiday period
- Save essential contact numbers in your phone
- Know your Customer Reference Number (CRN) and myGov login details
Returning to Normal Operations
Regular Centrelink operations will resume according to this schedule:
- After Easter: Normal service from Tuesday, 22 April 2025
- After Anzac Day: Normal service from Monday, 28 April 2025
Any backlog in processing non-urgent matters may cause slight delays in the days immediately following these holidays. For matters that aren’t time-sensitive, consider waiting until mid-week after each holiday period to contact Centrelink for potentially shorter wait times.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my payment be delayed because of Easter?
No. Most payments will arrive early before the Easter weekend begins.
Can I still report my income during the Easter closure?
Yes. Online and app-based reporting remains available throughout the holiday period.
What if I have an emergency during the Easter weekend?
Help is available. The emergency assistance line (1800 132 468) operates 24/7, even on public holidays.
Do mutual obligation requirements still apply over Easter?
Yes, but reporting dates are adjusted. Check your reporting schedule through myGov.
Will Centrelink be open on Easter Saturday?
Most offices will be closed, though some limited-service locations may operate. Check your local office for specific details.
Can I apply for an advance payment to cover the Easter period?
Yes, but applications should be submitted by April 11th to ensure processing before the holiday closures.
Remember that while this guide provides comprehensive information about the Easter and Anzac Day periods for 2025, individual circumstances may vary. For personalized advice about your specific payment arrangements, contact Centrelink well before the holiday period begins or check your myGov account for notifications specific to your payment types.