Rumours of a $1,321 “Centrelink Christmas Payment” for 2025 have flooded social media in recent weeks, with posts claiming that pensioners, jobseekers, and families will receive an extra holiday bonus in their bank accounts.
These claims are false.
Despite widespread sharing, no such Christmas payment exists — and Services Australia has confirmed that no special Christmas bonus is being issued in 2025.
No — Centrelink Is Not Paying a $1,321 Christmas Bonus
Here is what is officially known:
- No Christmas bonus or one-off festive payment has been announced for 2025.
- Claims of payments such as $1,321, $1,600, $750, or similar figures originate from unverified websites and misleading social posts.
- Services Australia and multiple fact-checking organisations have already labelled these posts as misinformation, often designed to generate clicks or collect personal data.
These false claims typically appear on sponsored ads, social feeds, or imitation news sites — none linked to the Australian government.
What Is Happening in December 2025
While there is no Christmas bonus, there are legitimate updates affecting Centrelink recipients this month:
- Regular payments may be deposited earlier due to Christmas and New Year public-holiday closures.
- These adjustments happen every year so payments are not delayed during bank shutdowns.
Recipients should check their MyGov and Centrelink accounts for updated reporting and payment dates.
What the Government Has Confirmed (and Not Confirmed)
Confirmed
- No additional December 2025 bonus for pensioners, carers, jobseekers, or other benefit recipients.
- Only standard payments (possibly arriving earlier due to holidays) will be issued.
Not Confirmed
- Any new one-off Christmas supplement
- Any special inflation or cost-of-living bonus for December
If the government were to introduce a new payment, it would appear first on official government websites, not social media.
Why These Fake Centrelink Claims Spread So Quickly
The December holiday period often intensifies financial pressure, making people more vulnerable to claims of extra support.
Scammers exploit this by spreading posts promising:
- “Extra funds before Christmas”
- “Automatic bonus deposits”
- “Claim your holiday payment now”
Many of these posts link to websites designed to steal personal information, including bank details and MyGov credentials.
Fact-checkers recently identified multiple fake articles claiming bonuses between $750 and $2,000, none of which are legitimate.
What You Should Do Right Now
- Ignore any social-media posts advertising Christmas payments
- Check only official sources: MyGov, Services Australia, and .gov.au websites
- Never enter personal details on third-party sites claiming bonus eligibility
- Plan your finances around your regular Centrelink payments
- Expect adjusted payment dates, not additional funds
If something sounds “too good to be true”, it usually is.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Is the $1,321 Centrelink Christmas payment real?
No. The claim is completely false. No such payment exists.
2. Will pensioners, jobseekers, carers or students receive extra money in December?
Not as a bonus. They will receive only their usual benefits, which may arrive earlier due to holiday closures.
3. How do I check if a payment is legitimate?
Log in directly at MyGov or the official Services Australia website.
Legitimate payments will never come from social-media links.
4. Do I need to apply for holiday-period payments?
No. Regular Centrelink payments will continue automatically if your reporting requirements are up to date.
5. Could the government announce a bonus later?
There is no indication or budget allocation for any 2025 bonus. Any future updates would be announced officially — not through viral posts.
6. I received a message asking me to “confirm my bank details” to receive the bonus. What should I do?
Ignore it — it’s almost certainly a scam. Do not click, respond, or share information.
7. Are any other cost-of-living or inflation relief payments planned?
As of December 2025, no new one-off payments have been announced.
8. Will holiday hours change my payment date?
Yes. You may receive your usual payment earlier because of Christmas and New Year public holidays. Check your Centrelink portal for updated dates.