Separated Under One Roof: How to Prove It to Centrelink in 2026
Living with your ex but separated? Centrelink needs proof. Here is how to demonstrate you are separated under one roof and claim the single payment rate.
Why Separated Under One Roof Matters
Being classified as single versus partnered by Centrelink significantly affects your payment rate. A single JobSeeker recipient gets $762.70 per fortnight compared to $697.50 for a partnered person. For Parenting Payment, the difference is even larger: $987.70 (single) versus $648.30 (partnered). The single rate of Age Pension is $1,144.40 versus $863.20 each for partnered. Beyond the base rate, single people have more generous income and asset test thresholds and may qualify for payments like Parenting Payment Single that have better conditions. Many separating couples cannot afford to immediately establish separate households — housing costs, children's needs, or financial constraints mean they must continue living together after the relationship ends. Centrelink recognises this situation and allows you to be assessed as separated under one roof, but you must prove it.
The Five Factors Centrelink Assesses
Centrelink uses five factors to determine whether you are genuinely separated while living under the same roof. First, financial aspects — do you have separate bank accounts, separate finances, no longer share bills equally, and divide household costs as housemates rather than partners? Second, household arrangements — do you sleep in separate bedrooms, do your own cooking and laundry, clean only your own areas, and not share meals regularly? Third, social aspects — have you told family, friends, and neighbours that you have separated? Do you attend social events separately? Are you no longer seen as a couple? Fourth, sexual relationship — has the intimate relationship ended? Fifth, commitment — is there no intention to reconcile? Have you taken steps like consulting a family lawyer, dividing property, or updating your will? No single factor is determinative — Centrelink weighs all five together.
The Separation Details Form (SS293)
To claim separation under one roof, you must complete the Separation Details form (SS293) and the Relationship Details form (SS284). The SS293 asks detailed questions about your living arrangements, financial separation, social presentation, and reasons for continuing to live together. Be specific and honest in your answers. Instead of writing "we live separately," write "I sleep in the second bedroom, I cook my own meals and eat in my room, I wash my own clothes on Tuesdays, I contribute $200 per week to the mortgage as rent." Provide dates where possible: "We separated on 15 January 2026. I moved to the spare room that night. We told the children on 18 January." The form also asks why you cannot live separately — common reasons include unable to afford separate housing, waiting for property settlement, children's stability, mortgage obligations, or nowhere else to go. These are all accepted reasons.
Supporting Evidence You Need
Strong supporting evidence dramatically improves your chances of approval. You need two statutory declarations from people who know your situation — ideally from family members, friends, or neighbours who can attest that the relationship has ended. Each declaration should state: how the person knows you, when they became aware of the separation, what changes they have observed, and that they consider you to be living separately. Additional evidence that helps: separate bank account statements showing no shared finances, a family law property settlement or application, separate health insurance policies, a letter from a family counsellor or social worker confirming the separation, separate car insurance or registration, updated emergency contacts at work or school (removing ex-partner), and separate social media profiles showing single status. If you have children, evidence of a parenting plan or custody arrangement supports your claim.
The Centrelink Interview
Centrelink may require you to attend a face-to-face or phone interview to verify your separation claim. The interviewer will ask about your daily routine: who cooks, who does the shopping, who cleans which rooms, sleeping arrangements, how bills are divided, whether you eat together, and how you interact with each other. They may also contact the people who provided statutory declarations to verify their statements. Both you and your ex-partner may be interviewed separately — your answers need to be consistent. Before the interview, discuss the practical arrangements with your ex so you can both accurately describe the same situation. Inconsistencies between your accounts may raise doubts. If your ex-partner disputes the separation (perhaps to avoid their own Centrelink obligations changing), this complicates the process — Centrelink will weigh all evidence and make a determination, but it may take longer.
What Happens After Approval
Once Centrelink accepts your separation under one roof, your payment switches to the single rate from the date of separation (or the date you claimed, whichever is later). You may receive back pay if the processing took several weeks. Your income and asset tests are reassessed based on your individual circumstances rather than combined. If you have children, you should also notify the Child Support Agency (Services Australia Child Support) as your ex-partner may be liable for child support. Update your Family Tax Benefit claim to reflect your single status — as a single parent, you may qualify for FTB Part B at the full rate with no income test. If your circumstances change (for example, you reconcile with your ex), you must notify Centrelink within 14 days. If you move out of the shared home, notify Centrelink of your new address — your Rent Assistance may also change. Reviews of your separated under one roof status may occur periodically, so maintain the separation evidence.
Try these free tools
Official resources
General information and estimates only — not financial, tax, or legal advice. Always verify with Services Australia.
Related articles
Find out the current JobSeeker Payment rates for 2026, including fortnightly amounts for singles and couples, how the income test works, and when rates next increase.
Centrelink Income Test Explained: How It Affects Every PaymentUnderstand how Centrelink's income test works across JobSeeker, Age Pension, Family Tax Benefit, and other payments. Learn about free areas, taper rates, and deeming rules.
Centrelink Asset Test Explained: Thresholds & What CountsLearn how the Centrelink asset test works, current thresholds for 2026, what counts as an asset, and strategies to manage your assets for maximum payment eligibility.
Disability Support Pension Eligibility: Who Qualifies for DSP?Complete guide to Disability Support Pension eligibility in Australia, including medical rules, impairment tables, the 20-point threshold, and how to apply successfully.