What the National Day of Mourning means for Centrelink services

An urgent warning has been issued to Aussies over how Centrelink will be impacted and changed by next week’s public holiday.

Australians have been warned that their Centrelink payments and reporting dates could be put in flux next week due to the public holiday for Queen Elizabeth II.

All Centrelink offices will be closed on Thursday, September 22, for the National Day of Mourning, meaning some users could be paid early.

“Your reporting and payment dates may change when we close on the National Day of Mourning for Her Majesty the Queen,” Services Australia said.

“We may pay you early.”

Some Centrelink users may be paid early due to the public holiday. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Andrew Henshaw

Users were advised they can still access their Centrelink online account through myGov or use Services Australia’s Express Plus mobile apps and phone self service.

For those who don’t report an employment income, Services Australia said it would be paying them early.

“We won’t delay payments because of a public holiday, but we may pay you earlier than normal. An early payment is your normal payment, just paid early,” it said.

“Where we pay an early payment, we pay as close to and before your normal payment day. You’ll need to budget so this payment lasts until your next payment day.”

Those who report their income can do so even when Centrelink is closed, but if this is done next Thursday, they will not be paid until after the public holiday.

All Centrelink offices will be closed next Thursday. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Luis Enrique Ascui

Services Australia said reporting dates had changed due to the public holiday.

“If you report early during your assessment period, you’ll need to include what you expect to be paid for your full period. You must also do this for any other changes that may affect your payment. If you make a mistake, you can correct your report within 14 days or when you next report,” it said.

“If you report after your assessment period, we’ll pay you after you report to us. You may want to do this so you can be sure of your employment income or changes to your circumstances.”

It comes amid discussion over how the one-off abrupt public holiday will affect businesses and different sectors of the community.

A sudden public holiday could complicate trading for small local businesses. Picture: NewsWire / Sarah Marshall

The Australian Retailers Association (ARA) said it respected the government’s decision to hold the National Day of Mourning but wanted states and territories to clarify trading conditions.

“Many in our community, including retailers and their staff, will want to honour and mourn the passing of Queen Elizabeth II. We are confident retailers will abide respectfully by the government’s decision and in sympathy to the sensitivities of many of their customers,” ARA chief executive Paul Zahra said.

“Nevertheless, this event will create some complications for businesses with store closures and staff scheduling challenges, with many rosters set up weeks in advance. There will also be a small but unexpected loss of trade, and additional staffing costs, which may impact cashflows for small businesses.”

Members of the health community have also expressed concern that appointments could be cancelled due to hospitals clinics and hospitals being left short-staffed.

Thursday’s public holiday could put even more pressure on Australia's struggling health industry. Picture: NCA NewsWire

“Operations and lots of patient consultations booked that day at a time when access is difficult. Thanks for dropping this at short notice,” Australian Medical Association president Steve Robson said.

“It's very difficult to staff hospitals and practices at the best of times now. An unanticipated public holiday will make it very difficult to staff hospitals and clinics.”