The Australian Government has issued a final compliance deadline for all Centrelink recipients to complete biometric verification by June 15, 2025. Recipients who fail to comply by this date will have their pension, Family Tax Benefit, JobSeeker, and other essential Centrelink payments suspended indefinitely. This step is part of a broader initiative by Services Australia to ensure secure, fraud-free delivery of social welfare payments using biometric identification like voiceprints and facial recognition.
With over 10 million Australians receiving various Centrelink benefits, the biometric rollout is a crucial step in verifying the identity of recipients, preventing fraud, and simplifying future claims. While many have already completed their verification through the myGov platform or the Express Plus Centrelink App, a significant number remain unverified, particularly among Age Pensioners and regional applicants, prompting this urgent national call to action.
Why Centrelink Biometric Verification Is Now Mandatory
The biometric verification system aims to modernise Centrelink services and enhance the identity verification process for millions of users. It uses unique personal features, such as your voice pattern or facial scan, to confirm your identity securely without needing physical ID checks every time.
Key highlights of this policy change:
- Deadline for compliance is June 15, 2025
- Applies to all users of Age Pension, Youth Allowance, Parenting Payment, Disability Support Pension, and Family Tax Benefit
- Non-compliance will lead to automatic payment suspension
- Recipients will have to complete verification before reinstatement of benefits
The biometric system is designed to be user-friendly and is already embedded in myGov and Centrelink platforms, allowing for quick, self-guided identity validation from home.
How to Complete Centrelink Biometric Verification Before June 15
Completing Centrelink biometric verification is simple and only takes a few minutes using one of the supported platforms. Services Australia recommends the voiceprint option for phone users and Digital ID or face verification for mobile app users.
Follow these steps to ensure you meet the deadline:
- Option 1: Voiceprint Registration via Phone
- Call Centrelink on 136 240
- Provide your CRN (Customer Reference Number)
- Follow prompts to register your voice by repeating a phrase
- Option 2: Use the Express Plus Centrelink App
- Download from the App Store or Google Play
- Open the app and sign in using myGov
- Navigate to the “Biometric Verification” or “Digital ID” section
- Follow on-screen instructions to scan your face or register your voice
- Option 3: Visit a Centrelink Service Centre
- Bring valid identification (driver’s licence, Medicare card)
- Ask a staff member for biometric verification assistance
- You may be asked to register a voiceprint or facial scan on-site
Tips:
- Ensure you’re in a quiet room for voice registration
- Update your app to the latest version before attempting biometric steps
- Do not wait until the last day, as systems may experience high traffic
Who Is at Risk of Losing Payments?
As of early June, Services Australia has confirmed that several categories of welfare recipients have not yet completed the biometric requirement. These groups are especially at risk of payment interruption starting June 16, 2025.
| Centrelink Payment Type | Biometric Required? | Suspension if Not Verified? |
|---|---|---|
| Age Pension | Yes | Yes |
| JobSeeker Payment | Yes | Yes |
| Family Tax Benefit (A & B) | Yes | Yes |
| Youth Allowance | Yes | Yes |
| Carer Payment/Allowance | Yes | Yes |
| Parenting Payment | Yes | Yes |
| Austudy & Abstudy | Yes | Yes |
| Disability Support Pension | Yes | Yes |
If you fall into any of the above categories, it is critical to verify before the deadline to continue receiving payments uninterrupted.
State-Wise Biometric Compliance Rates
The following table shows how each Australian state and territory is performing in terms of compliance, based on Services Australia’s latest data (as of May 31, 2025).
| State/Territory | Completed Verification (%) | Outstanding Recipients |
|---|---|---|
| New South Wales | 83% | 227,000 |
| Victoria | 81% | 190,000 |
| Queensland | 78% | 160,000 |
| Western Australia | 76% | 88,000 |
| South Australia | 79% | 71,000 |
| Tasmania | 84% | 25,000 |
| Australian Capital Territory | 88% | 9,000 |
| Northern Territory | 72% | 33,000 |
Important Note: Remote areas and First Nations communities have additional support staff available to help complete the verification process.
What Happens If You Miss the Deadline?
Failing to comply by June 15 will result in automatic Centrelink payment suspension starting June 16, 2025. You will receive a non-payment alert and must complete biometric steps to resume payments.
Here’s what to expect if you miss the deadline:
- All pending payments will be paused
- myGov account may be flagged until verification is completed
- You’ll need to verify to unlock your payment cycle
- Any overpayment that occurs due to failure to notify changes could trigger recovery action
You can avoid this disruption by acting before the deadline and completing the process online or in person.
FAQs for Centrelink Biometric Verification
Q1: What if I already submitted documents through myGov?
A: Biometric verification is separate from document uploads. You must register your voice or face even if documents were previously provided.
Q2: Is biometric verification compulsory for seniors over 70?
A: Yes. Age is not an exemption. However, support services are available for seniors needing in-person help.
Q3: Will my data be shared with third parties?
A: No. Your biometric data is stored securely by Services Australia and not shared externally.
Q4: What if I don’t have a smartphone or internet access?
A: Visit your nearest Centrelink service centre where staff will assist you with the verification process.
Q5: How long does it take to complete the process?
A: Most users complete biometric verification within 5–10 minutes.
Q6: What happens if I’m overseas during this deadline?
A: You are still required to complete biometric verification. You can do this through the Centrelink app or by contacting international support.
With the June 15, 2025 deadline fast approaching, all Centrelink recipients must ensure their biometric verification is completed to avoid losing access to crucial support payments. Whether you’re receiving an Age Pension, Family Tax Benefit, or Youth Allowance, the process is simple and can be done via phone, app, or in person. Taking timely action will safeguard your payments and support Services Australia’s mission to maintain secure, efficient welfare systems.
