Assessing the Partner details (MOD P) 106-07100100

A customer is considered to be partnered if the customer and the person are:

• married
• in a registered relationship, or
• in a de facto relationship

If there is doubt about the customer's relationship status (they are possibly in an undisclosed relationship), a member of a couple assessment may be required.

Two people do not need to be living together to be considered partnered. For example, one person may fly-in and fly-out for work.

When a single customer receiving Centrelink payments and services becomes partnered, they must tell Services Australia of the change in relationship status. Entitlement to payments and services is reassessed for both the customer and their partner.

The customer and/or their partner may have to claim an alternative payment, or they may no longer qualify for payments and services.

See Change in relationship status from single to partnered.

• All relevant questions on the module must be answered. Many questions only need a Yes or No response. Depending on the answers, some questions may be skipped
• The module must be signed by the customer and their partner
• Identity Confirmation may be required
• In some cases, other forms may need to be completed before the module can be assessed. The Service Officer will need to issue a request for these forms, if required

If a customer may be placed in financial hardship by being assessed as partnered, consider payment under Section 24 provisions. See Treatment of a partnered person as single under Section 24 new determinations for more information including any hand-off processes required.