Centrepay Household Goods Rental Changes: What Happens on 1 November 2026?
Reviewed by Dean Hawes, Consumer Leasing Specialist, Lightning Rentals. Last reviewed September 2026.
If you use Centrepay to pay a consumer lease for household goods such as furniture, whitegoods or electrical appliances, your existing Centrepay deduction can only continue until 1 November 2026. After that date, household goods lease and rental payments will no longer be available through Centrepay. Your consumer lease does not end. You will need another way to make your regular lease payments.
This page explains what is changing, who is affected, what happens to your lease, and how to move your payments to PayTo or direct debit with Lightning Rentals before the cut-off.
- Key dates for the Centrepay change
- Who is affected by the Centrepay change?
- Why is Centrepay changing?
- What happens to my consumer lease on 1 November 2026?
- Does it matter when my lease ends?
- What should I do before 1 November 2026?
- What payment methods can replace Centrepay?
- What is PayTo?
- How do I change from Centrepay to PayTo?
- Is PayTo safe, and can I control it?
- What if something goes wrong with PayTo?
- What if I don’t change payment methods before Centrepay ends?
- Will I be charged twice while changing from Centrepay?
- PayTo vs Centrepay vs direct debit
- What if I am already struggling to make my payments?
- Frequently asked questions
- What should I do now?
- Sources
Key dates for the Centrepay change
| Date | What it means |
|---|---|
|
1 November 2026 |
Existing Centrepay deductions for household goods lease and rental can no longer continue. |
|
After Centrepay ends |
If your consumer lease is still active, you keep making the payments required under your agreement using another available payment method. |
These dates are set by Services Australia. See the Services Australia Centrepay changes page for the current list of affected services.
Who is affected by the Centrepay change?
The change affects customers using Centrepay for the Household Goods Lease and Rental service reason. This includes payments towards regulated consumer leases for household goods such as:
- whitegoods
- electrical appliances
- furniture.
The change does not mean Centrepay itself is closing. Centrepay continues for eligible goods and services such as accommodation, utilities, certain education and health expenses and some finance and insurance services. Services Australia has removed household goods lease and rental, along with several other service reasons, from Centrepay.
If you are a Lightning Rentals customer paying by Centrepay, this change applies to you.
Why is Centrepay changing?
The Australian Government has reformed Centrepay to increase customer protections and reduce the risk of financial harm. As part of the reforms, Services Australia reviewed which types of goods and services were appropriate for Centrepay. Household goods lease and rental was one of the service reasons selected for removal.
This is a Services Australia policy change about the Centrepay payment system. It does not mean consumer leasing is ending in Australia, and it does not change the consumer credit laws that regulate consumer leases.
For how consumer leases work, see our complete guide to consumer leasing in Australia.
What happens to my consumer lease on 1 November 2026?
Your consumer lease does not automatically end because Centrepay stops.
Centrepay is a payment method. Your consumer lease is a separate agreement between you and Lightning Rentals. Removing household goods lease and rental from Centrepay means Centrepay can no longer be used to make those payments after the transition period. It does not cancel your lease.
If your agreement continues beyond the Centrepay cut-off, the agreement continues on its terms and you will need an alternative way to make the payments due under it. Think of it as changing how you pay, not changing the lease itself.
Do I still have to make my lease payments?
Yes. If your consumer lease is still active, changing from Centrepay to another payment method does not remove the payment obligations under your agreement.
Centrepay deduction ends ≠ consumer lease ends.
If you are unsure when your lease finishes or how much remains payable, check your agreement or your end-of-lease statement, or contact us.
Will I have to return my fridge, washing machine or furniture on 1 November?
Not simply because Centrepay stops. The Centrepay change concerns the payment method, not the return of your leased goods. What happens to the goods is governed by your consumer lease and the stage your agreement has reached. If your lease is still running after 1 November 2026, you continue with the agreement using another payment method.
Do I own the goods when Centrepay stops?
No. The Centrepay change does not alter ownership of the leased goods. Under a consumer lease you do not automatically own the goods at the end of the agreement. See what happens at the end of a consumer lease in our guide.
Does it matter when my lease ends?
Yes. Check your end date first.
If your lease finishes before 1 November 2026
The normal end-of-lease process applies. Moneysmart confirms that a consumer lease provider must give you an end-of-lease statement 90 days before the lease ends, explaining the end date and the arrangements for returning the goods. Check your agreement and end-of-lease statement for what applies to you.
If your lease finishes very close to 1 November, Lightning Rentals may leave your Centrepay deduction in place until the final payment rather than moving you to a new method for one or two payments. We will tell you if this applies to your agreement.
If your lease finishes after 1 November 2026
This is the group that needs to prepare. Your Centrepay deduction cannot continue after the household goods lease and rental service reason ends, but your consumer lease will. Arrange an alternative payment method before your first lease payment that can no longer be made through Centrepay.
If you have more than one consumer lease
Check each agreement separately. Different agreements can have different payment amounts, payment dates, agreement numbers and end dates. Changing the payment method for one agreement does not change the others. Ask us which of your agreements need a new arrangement.
What should I do before 1 November 2026?
The most important thing is not to wait until a payment is missed.
- Check your current Centrepay deduction. You can review Centrepay deductions through your Centrelink online account in myGov, the myGov app or the Express Plus Centrelink mobile app.
- Check when your consumer lease ends. If it finishes before the Centrepay cut-off, you may not need a replacement method for that agreement. If it continues past the cut-off, you will.
- Check your payment amount and frequency. Know how much you pay, whether you pay weekly, fortnightly or monthly, your usual payment date, and which agreement the deduction relates to.
- Arrange your replacement payment method early. Call Lucy on 0484 348 646 or email creditcontrol@lightningrentals.com.au. We will explain the options for your agreement and set up the change.
- Check the first payment. Once the new arrangement starts, check that the expected payment has been processed and that you understand how future payments will work.
Call Lucy on 0484 348 646 or email creditcontrol@lightningrentals.com.au and we will set up your new payment arrangement.
Contact usWhat payment methods can replace Centrepay?
Lightning Rentals offers two replacement payment methods for eligible agreements:
- PayTo, which lets you authorise payments directly from your nominated bank account through your online banking.
- Direct debit through Ezidebit, for customers who do not use internet or mobile banking, or whose bank does not support PayTo.
PayTo is our preferred payment method for many customers because the payment agreement is authorised through online banking and can be viewed and managed there.
This is Lightning Rentals’ preferred operational option. PayTo is not a government replacement for Centrepay, and it is not the only option. If PayTo does not suit you, ask about direct debit.
The important point for Centrelink recipients: PayTo is not Centrepay. It does not deduct money from your Centrelink payment before you receive it.
What is PayTo?
PayTo is an Australian bank account payment method run through participating banks and financial institutions. It is an initiative of Australian Payments Plus, Australia’s domestic payments organisation.
Instead of a Centrepay deduction being taken from your Centrelink payment, a PayTo agreement allows a business to request payments from your bank account according to payment terms that you first review and authorise in your online banking. The agreement shows who you are paying, the payment purpose, the amount and the frequency. Once authorised, payments are processed from the nominated account according to those terms.
Australian Payments Plus says PayTo is available in the online banking of more than 50 financial institutions.
Is PayTo part of Centrelink?
No. PayTo is not operated by Centrelink or Centrepay. Receiving a Centrelink payment and using PayTo are two separate things.
Does PayTo take the payment directly from my Centrelink benefit?
No. This is the biggest difference from Centrepay. With Centrepay, the deduction is made from your Centrelink payment before the rest is paid to you. With PayTo, the payment comes from the bank account you nominate. If your Centrelink benefit is deposited into that account, the money may ultimately come from those funds, but PayTo is not deducting it through Centrelink.
Can I use PayTo if I receive Centrelink?
Yes, if your bank account supports PayTo. Receiving Centrelink does not prevent you from using PayTo, because PayTo works through your bank account, not your Centrelink payment.
Do I need a PayID to use PayTo?
Not necessarily. PayTo can be set up using either a PayID (such as a mobile number or email address) or your BSB and account number. Lightning Rentals accepts both.
Is PayTo the same as PayID?
No. PayID is an identifier, like a mobile number or email address, linked to a bank account. PayTo is an authorised payment agreement that allows payments to be made from an account on agreed terms. A PayID can be used to identify the account when setting up PayTo, but it is not required.
Is PayTo the same as direct debit?
No. Both can be used for recurring bank account payments, but a PayTo agreement is authorised and managed inside your online banking, where you can see its terms before you approve it and view, pause or cancel it later. Traditional direct debit is authorised through a direct debit request form and is managed through the business or your bank.
How do I change from Centrepay to PayTo with Lightning Rentals?
- We contact you, or you contact us. Call Lucy on 0484 348 646 or email creditcontrol@lightningrentals.com.au.
- Confirm the bank account you want to use for PayTo, using your PayID or BSB and account number.
- Lightning Rentals creates the PayTo agreement for your consumer lease. If you have more than one lease, a separate agreement is created for each.
- Check your online banking for the PayTo authorisation request. Depending on your bank, you may get an app notification, an SMS or email, or a prompt when you log in. You may need to go to a section called PayTo or Payment Agreements.
- Review the details carefully: the business name, amount, purpose and frequency.
- Authorise the agreement yourself through your bank. This usually takes one to two minutes.
- Lightning Rentals receives confirmation and cancels your Centrepay deduction. Your next scheduled payment comes from PayTo.
- Check that your first PayTo payment processes on the expected date.
Is PayTo safe, and can I control it?
PayTo agreements are authorised and managed in the security of your online banking, and Australian Payments Plus says the same protections that apply to your existing bank account payments apply to PayTo payments.
You should still check every PayTo request before authorising it. Confirm the business name, payment amount, frequency and purpose. Be cautious if anyone pressures you to approve an agreement immediately or asks for your banking password.
Can I see my PayTo agreement after I approve it?
Yes. PayTo agreements can be viewed and managed in your online banking. Your bank’s app will show the agreement, its terms and its status.
Can I pause or cancel PayTo?
Yes, through your online banking. But there is an important distinction:
Pausing or cancelling PayTo does not cancel your consumer lease or change your payment obligations. PayTo controls the payment authority. Your consumer lease is a separate contract, and the payments under it are still due.
If you are having difficulty making payments, contact Lightning Rentals rather than cancelling the payment method.
What if something goes wrong with PayTo?
What happens if there isn’t enough money in my account?
A PayTo payment can fail if there are not enough available funds in the nominated account when the payment is attempted. If a payment fails, Lightning Rentals notifies you by SMS with the steps to fix it. Contact us as soon as you can so the payment can be sorted before it becomes a missed payment. Any fee that applies to a failed or missed payment is set out in your consumer lease agreement.
If you know you may have difficulty making a scheduled payment, contact us before the payment date.
What if I don’t use internet banking?
PayTo is not your only option. Lightning Rentals offers direct debit through Ezidebit for customers who cannot use online banking. Contact us before the Centrepay cut-off and we will set it up.
What if my bank doesn’t support PayTo?
PayTo availability varies between financial institutions. If your account does not support PayTo, we will set up direct debit through Ezidebit instead.
What if I want to change my bank account later?
Contact Lightning Rentals on 0484 348 646 and we will update your payment arrangement. Do not cancel your existing PayTo agreement until the new one is in place.
What if I don't change payment methods before Centrepay ends?
After 1 November 2026, Centrepay will no longer process your household goods lease deduction. Your consumer lease does not disappear because Centrepay can no longer process the payment. This means a scheduled payment could be missed.
If that happens, Lightning Rentals will contact you by phone, SMS and email to set up a new payment arrangement and bring your account up to date. Fees set out in your agreement may apply to missed payments, and if we cannot reach you, arrears notices follow the process required under Australian consumer credit law.
The simplest way to avoid this is to switch before your first payment after Centrepay ends.
If you are struggling to make payments, tell us. Hardship assistance is available, and contacting us early gives you the most options. See what to do if you are experiencing financial hardship in our guide.
Will I be charged twice while changing from Centrepay?
No, if the transition is managed correctly. Once your PayTo agreement is confirmed, Lightning Rentals cancels the Centrepay deduction and your next payment comes from PayTo. A PayTo agreement can be set up before your final Centrepay deduction so it is ready, but payments are timed so the same scheduled payment is not collected twice.
When we set up your new arrangement, we tell you the date of your final Centrepay deduction and the date of your first PayTo payment. If you believe two payments have been taken for the same amount due, contact us promptly so the transactions can be checked.
What happens to my Centrelink payment after Centrepay stops?
Your Centrelink entitlement is separate from your consumer lease. The reform removes the ability to use Centrepay for household goods lease deductions. It does not stop your Centrelink payment. Once your Centrepay deduction ends, that lease payment is no longer deducted through Centrepay. If you move to PayTo, it comes from your nominated bank account instead.
PayTo vs Centrepay vs direct debit
| Feature | Centrepay | PayTo | Direct debit |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Payment source |
Eligible Centrelink payment |
Bank account |
Bank account |
|
Connected to Centrelink? |
Yes |
No |
No |
|
How you authorise it |
Through Centrepay |
In your online banking |
Direct debit request form |
|
Agreement visible in online banking |
No |
Yes |
Transaction visible; agreement management varies by bank |
|
Can pause or cancel in online banking |
No |
Yes |
Depends on bank and provider |
|
Available for household goods consumer leases after 1 November 2026 |
No |
Yes, where your bank supports it |
Yes |
|
Is the payment agreement the same as the consumer lease? |
No |
No |
No |
What if I am already struggling to make my payments?
Changing payment methods does not remove your consumer rights. If you are experiencing financial difficulty, contact Lightning Rentals as early as possible and ask about hardship assistance.
Moneysmart confirms that consumer lease customers have the right to apply for a hardship variation. Free and confidential financial counselling is also available through the National Debt Helpline on 1800 007 007.
Do not simply cancel a Centrepay or PayTo arrangement because you are in difficulty. Talk to us about the underlying lease and the assistance available first.
You can find more information on Lightning Rentals hardship request and complaints resolution process at Lightning Rentals Complaints Resolution.
Call us on 0484 348 646 to ask about hardship assistance, or read how our hardship and complaints process works.
Hardship and complaints processFrequently asked questions
Is Centrepay ending completely?
No. Centrepay continues for eligible goods and services. Household Goods Lease and Rental is one of the service reasons being removed.
When do existing household rental deductions stop?
Existing eligible deductions can continue only until 1 November 2026, unless they end earlier because the agreement is paid out, the customer cancels the deduction or the business is removed from Centrepay.
Can I start a new Centrepay deduction for my consumer lease?
No. New household goods lease and rental deductions have not been available since 3 November 2025.
Can I increase my existing Centrepay rental deduction?
No. Services Australia says existing deductions in this category cannot be increased.
I cancelled my Centrepay deduction. Can I restart it?
No. Once an affected deduction is cancelled, it cannot be restarted.
Does Centrepay ending mean my consumer lease is cancelled?
No. The Centrepay payment arrangement and the consumer lease are separate. Your lease continues on its terms.
Do I automatically own my product when Centrepay stops?
No. The Centrepay change does not alter ownership of the leased goods. Check your consumer lease for what happens at the end of your agreement.
Do I need PayID for PayTo?
Not necessarily. PayTo can use a PayID or your BSB and account number. Lightning Rentals accepts both.
Does PayTo take money before Centrelink pays me?
No. PayTo debits the nominated bank account according to the authorised agreement. It does not operate as a Centrepay deduction from your benefit.
Can Lightning Rentals access my bank account?
A PayTo agreement authorises payments according to the terms you approve in your own online banking. Lightning Rentals does not need, and never asks for, your online banking password.
What if I cancel PayTo?
Cancelling PayTo stops that agreement from being used for payments, but it does not cancel the consumer lease or your contractual obligations. Contact Lightning Rentals to set up another payment method.
What should I do now?
If your Lightning Rentals consumer lease is currently paid through Centrepay and continues beyond 1 November 2026:
- Keep track of your current Centrepay deduction.
- Check when your lease ends.
- Do not assume your lease ends when Centrepay ends.
- Call Lucy on 0484 348 646 to set up PayTo or direct debit before the cut-off.
- If using PayTo, review and approve the agreement in your own online banking.
- Check the date of your final Centrepay deduction and your first replacement payment.
The earlier the transition is arranged, the easier it is to check everything before Centrepay is no longer available for your lease payments.
Call Lucy on 0484 348 646 or email creditcontrol@lightningrentals.com.au and we will set up your new payment arrangement.
Contact usREVIEWED BY
Consumer Leasing Specialist · LinkedIn
Dean Hawes has more than nine years’ experience in Australia’s consumer leasing industry and reviews our content to help ensure it is accurate, practical and up to date. Drawing on his expertise in consumer leasing, affordability assessments, and household appliance and furniture rental, he helps Australians make informed leasing decisions.
Last reviewed: September 2026
Explore the Consumer Lease Knowledge Centre
- Consumer Leasing in Australia: Complete Guide
- PayTo Explained (coming soon)
- Consumer Lease Hardship Guide (coming soon)
- What Happens at the End of a Consumer Lease? (coming soon)
- Lightning Rentals Application Process (coming soon)
- Repairs and Warranties (coming soon)
Browse the Consumer Lease Knowledge Centre for all guides.
Sources
All links checked 6 September 2026.