During the COVID-19 pandemic, millions of Australians received extra financial help from the government through Centrelink’s Economic Support Payments. The well-known $750 and $250 one-off payments provided a lifeline for pensioners, carers, and concession card holders.
But in 2025, many are still asking: Are these payments still active? Who qualified for them? And will they return? Let’s break it down clearly.
What Were the $750 and $250 Centrelink Payments?
These were one-off cash payments delivered between 2020 and 2021 to help vulnerable Australians manage the financial impact of COVID-19.
- Two $750 payments – March 2020 and July 2020
- Two $250 payments – December 2020 and March 2021
In total, eligible people could have received up to $2,000 in extra support.
Who Was Eligible?
Eligibility was based on receiving a Centrelink income support payment or holding a qualifying concession card on specific reference dates.
Eligible Centrelink Payments
- Age Pension
- Disability Support Pension (DSP)
- Carer Payment
- Parenting Payment
- JobSeeker Payment (without the Coronavirus Supplement at certain times)
Eligible Concession Cards
- Pensioner Concession Card
- Commonwealth Seniors Health Card
- Family Tax Benefit (A or B)
Payment Dates and Reference Criteria
| Payment Date | Reference Date | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| March 2020 | End of March 2020 | $750 |
| July 2020 | 10 July 2020 | $750 |
| December 2020 | 27 November 2020 | $250 |
| March 2021 | 26 February 2021 | $250 |
Payments were deposited automatically into eligible recipients’ bank accounts—no application was required.
Are $750 and $250 Payments Still Available in 2025?
No. These payments were COVID-19 emergency relief measures and officially ended in March 2021.
If you see online claims about new $750 or $250 Centrelink bonuses in 2025, treat them with caution—they are not official government payments. Always check updates directly from Services Australia.
Centrelink Support in 2025
While the $750 and $250 payments are no longer running, seniors and other beneficiaries are still seeing regular pension indexation increases. For example, some reports highlight a $1,725 Age Pension boost in 2025 due to cost-of-living adjustments.
For the latest updates, keep an eye on:
- Age Pension and Disability Support Pension increases
- Concession card benefits
- Family and carer payments
FAQs
1. Who got the $750 Centrelink payments?
Anyone receiving an eligible Centrelink payment or concession card holder on the reference dates in 2020.
2. Could couples receive both payments?
Yes. If both partners were eligible, each received the payment separately.
3. Did people need to apply for the payments?
No. Payments were processed automatically by Centrelink.
4. Are $750 or $250 payments returning in 2025?
No. They ended in March 2021 and have not been reinstated.
5. How can I check if I received them?
Log in to your myGov account linked with Centrelink to view past payment history.
Final Thoughts
The $750 and $250 Centrelink payments were a vital part of Australia’s COVID-19 relief, helping millions of pensioners, carers, and low-income families. But as of 2025, these payments are no longer active.
To stay safe from scams and misinformation, always confirm any “new bonus” claims through official Services Australia channels. Meanwhile, Australians should keep track of ongoing pension updates, cost-of-living adjustments, and other Centrelink benefits that continue to provide financial support today.