A very popular question when looking to retire is: how much can I gift without Centrelink stepping in?

There are likely to be family members to think of, or perhaps you want to help financially if someone dear suffers a misfortune.

The answer is gift as much as you like.

Services Australia only allows people to reduce their assessable assets by $10,000 per annum and a total of $30,000 over any five consecutive years. Anything in excess of these limits is classified as a deprived asset for five years, meaning it remains listed in your name for means testing purposes.

It’s important to note that gifting above the allowable thresholds will not negatively impact a person’s Centrelink eligibility or payment. Rather, these rules prevent the person from gifting significant assets to increase pension entitlements.

The gifting threshold is the same for both single individuals and couples; couples do not receive a per-person threshold.

What is a gift?

  • Gifting money directly
  • Selling an asset to someone for less than its market value – for example, giving a new car to your daughter for a nominal $1,000
  • Paying for something on behalf of someone
  • Putting money into a family trust you do not control, or
  • Making excessive donations to an institution


Selling a house

Services Australia may include a gifted amount in your income and assets tests.

For example, you own a property worth $380,000. But you sell it to your child for $200,000. Services Australia would assess the $180,000 difference as a gift.

In some cases, Services Australia won’t include it in your income and assets tests. For example, you own a house valued at $380,000. You sell it for $350,000 on the open market. This is because it was the best offer on that date and you didn’t think it was a good idea to wait for a higher offer due to circumstances.

The information provided is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or legal advice.  Always consult with a qualified financial advisor or legal professional before making any investment decisions.