Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
National
Lorena Allam and Christopher Knaus

‘Unscrupulous’ businesses abused Centrepay to take welfare money from dead Australians, advocacy groups claim

Centrepay composite
Centrepay is an automated debit system designed to give businesses early access to a person’s welfare money to ensure they can afford essential services such as rent and healthcare. Composite: Universal Image Group / Getty / Centerpay

The government’s Centrepay debit system has been abused by “unscrupulous” businesses to take welfare money from dead Australians and Indigenous women fleeing domestic violence, advocacy groups claim.

The government last month announced a major review of Centrepay, an automated debit system designed to give businesses early access to a person’s welfare money to ensure they can afford essential services such as rent and healthcare.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.