Centrelink

Centrelink is part of the Australian Federal Government’s Services Australia and is responsible for a range of social security payments and services including for people who are retired, unemployed, unwell or disabled, carers or families, students, First Nations people, and more.

Due to the breadth of services provided by Centrelink, it is an agency that many trans people will interact with at some point in their lives.

Gender Markers

To update your gender marker details with Services Australia you will need to visit a Service Australia Centre with the necessary supporting document/s (listed below). If you are unable to access a Service Australia Centre, you can post your request and certified copy of your supporting document/s to Centrelink.

It is possible to update your Medicare, and Centrelink records at the same time, Child Support records are updated separately.

You need to provide one of the following supporting documents, a:

  • statement from a Registered Medical Practitioner or Registered Psychologist verifying your gender; or

  • valid passport (or other Australian travel document) specifying your preferred gender; or

  • birth or registered details certificate which specifies your preferred gender; or

There is no fee for changing your gender marker with Services Australia. Please note that Service NSW does not deliver any Centrelink related services.

Name and title

To update your legal name with Centrelink, you will need to confirm your identity with Services Australia. The process is detailed here. An original, updated birth or change of name certificate is required . They cannot accept copies or certified copies.

You can update your personal file with a preferred name and also change your title without requiring supporting documentation. To update your this, you will need to visit a Services Australia Centre.

We’ve developed a template you can use to inform Centrelink about a change of preferred or legal name, see downloads below.

If you are unable to attend a Services Australia Centre, you can post your request to Centrelink.

Making a complaint

To make a complaint about Centrelink, you can contact the Commonwealth Ombudsman which is a free and impartial service. You are able to get in touch with them using the online form at the link above, or by calling them on 1300 362 072. Find our more about seeking justice at Rights and Justice.

ACON’s Care Coordination team can support you to complain. For more information visit here.