Use this guide alongside the official service
Read the steps here first and keep the relevant documents or questions ready. Outside websites open in a new tab, so this guide stays here. To continue, return to the Pension Path tab or close the new tab.
If online steps are difficult, find phone, paper or in-person help.
If your relationship has ended
Tell Centrelink about the separation, date and new living/financial arrangements. Separation while still sharing a home has a specific assessment process.
You may be asked for evidence of household and financial arrangements. If obtaining another person's form or involving them could put you at risk, tell the agency and ask about safe alternatives.
A property settlement, rent change or joint account can have separate assessment consequences. Legal and social security advice can help where the arrangements are disputed.
If you live apart because of illness or care
A couple may be assessed as illness separated when unable to live together because of illness or infirmity and conditions are met. This is different from relationship breakdown.
Eligible illness-separated partners can receive the single payment rate while still having combined couple income and assets tests. Do not assume that single rates mean every asset is assessed separately.
A partner entering residential care can also affect home treatment, rent and ongoing costs. If one partner remains at home, that fact matters. Ask about your particular arrangement.
Your next steps
- Explain whether the relationship ended or you are living apart because of illness/care.
- Report dates, accommodation, rent and relevant financial changes.
- Supply the requested evidence and ask about safety/accessibility needs.
- Check the resulting payment decision and obtain help if it appears incorrect.
Care and advocacy routes
My Aged Care handles care assessment separately from pension entitlement. OPAN provides aged care advocacy; it is a different role from Centrelink payment assessment.
If housing or personal safety is urgent, use your state's appropriate crisis route. Seek private legal assistance before agreeing to a disputed settlement or accommodation contract.
Help with the process
Centrelink staff, interpreters or an authorised nominee can help with reporting. FIS can explain pension and home-assessment concepts, while a lawyer or financial counsellor provides a different kind of assistance.
Your next-step checklist
For your own notes. Ticks do not submit a claim or notify an agency.
Print or write down your steps if you prefer.
Official sources for this page
Guidance reviewed 5 October 2026. Source checks and content reviews are different: a successful download does not confirm that every rule is unchanged.
- Living with others (opens in a new tab)Services Australia · Content checked 5 October 2026Automated retrieval 5 October 2026. This is not an editorial review.
- Illness-separated couples (opens in a new tab)Department of Social Services · Content checked 5 October 2026Automated retrieval unavailable; last attempted 5 October 2026. The editorial date above has not advanced.
- Change of circumstances on Age Pension (opens in a new tab)Services Australia · Content checked 5 October 2026Automated retrieval 5 October 2026. This is not an editorial review.
- Real estate assets (opens in a new tab)Services Australia · Content checked 5 October 2026Automated retrieval 5 October 2026. This is not an editorial review.
- Apply for an aged care assessment (opens in a new tab)My Aged Care · Content checked 5 October 2026Automated retrieval 5 October 2026. This is not an editorial review.
- Contact aged care advocacy (opens in a new tab)Older Persons Advocacy Network · Content checked 5 October 2026Automated retrieval 5 October 2026. This is not an editorial review.
- Financial Information Service (opens in a new tab)Services Australia · Content checked 5 October 2026Automated retrieval 5 October 2026. This is not an editorial review.
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