Age Pension Eligibility: When Can You Get the Pension in Australia?
Complete guide to Age Pension eligibility in Australia. Find out the qualifying age, residency requirements, income and assets tests, and how to apply for the Age Pension in 2025–26.
What is the Age Pension qualifying age in Australia?
The Age Pension qualifying age in Australia is 67 years old. This applies to everyone born on or after 1 January 1957. The qualifying age was gradually increased from 65 to 67 between 2017 and 2023, so if you were born before 1957, you may have already reached your qualifying age at 65, 65.5, or 66 depending on your exact date of birth. Here is the full schedule: - Born before 1 July 1952: qualifying age was 65 - Born 1 July 1952 to 31 December 1953: qualifying age was 65.5 - Born 1 January 1954 to 30 June 1955: qualifying age was 66 - Born 1 July 1955 to 31 December 1956: qualifying age was 66.5 - Born on or after 1 January 1957: qualifying age is 67 There is no upper age limit for the Age Pension — once you qualify, you remain eligible as long as you continue to meet the other requirements. You can claim the Age Pension from the day you reach qualifying age, and Centrelink recommends lodging your claim up to 13 weeks before your birthday to ensure your first payment arrives on time.
Residency requirements for the Age Pension
To receive the Age Pension, you must meet strict residency requirements. The two main conditions are: **1. Australian resident:** You must be an Australian citizen, a permanent visa holder, or a holder of a protected Special Category Visa (for New Zealand citizens who arrived before 26 February 2001). **2. 10-year qualifying residence:** You must have been an Australian resident for a continuous period of at least 10 years, OR for multiple periods totalling at least 10 years with one continuous period of at least 5 years. There are some exceptions. If you have a qualifying residence period in a country that has a social security agreement with Australia (such as New Zealand, the UK, the USA, Canada, or several European countries), your overseas residence may count towards the 10-year requirement under the International Social Security Agreements. If you are claiming the Age Pension while living overseas, different rules apply. Generally, you must have 35 years of Australian residence to receive the full rate while living overseas. With less than 35 years, your payment is proportionally reduced. Some countries with bilateral agreements have different portability arrangements. Refugees and former refugees may have access to exemptions from the standard 10-year rule under specific circumstances.
Age Pension income test
The income test determines whether you receive a full or part Age Pension, or no pension at all. Centrelink assesses both your and your partner's income (if partnered) to calculate your entitlement. **Income free areas (per fortnight):** - Single: $204 per fortnight — you can earn up to this amount with no reduction - Couple (combined): $360 per fortnight **Taper rate:** For every dollar of income above the free area, your pension reduces by 50 cents. **Cut-off points (approximate, 2025–26):** - Single: approximately $2,444 per fortnight ($63,544/year) - Couple (combined): approximately $3,737 per fortnight ($97,162/year) Income includes employment income, deemed income from financial investments, rental income, superannuation income streams, and overseas pensions. Centrelink uses deeming rules for financial investments — rather than counting your actual earnings, they assume your investments earn a set rate. The deeming rates are currently 0.25% on the first $60,400 (single) or $100,200 (couple combined), and 2.25% on amounts above that threshold. If both the income test and assets test apply, Centrelink pays you the lower amount from the two tests.
Age Pension assets test
The assets test counts most things you own, excluding your principal home (the house you live in). The test has different thresholds depending on whether you own your home. **Full pension thresholds:** - Single homeowner: up to $301,750 in assessable assets - Single non-homeowner: up to $543,750 - Couple homeowner (combined): up to $451,500 - Couple non-homeowner (combined): up to $693,500 **Assets test taper:** Above the full pension threshold, the pension reduces by $3 per fortnight for every $1,000 in assets above the limit. **Cut-off points (approximate):** - Single homeowner: approximately $686,250 - Single non-homeowner: approximately $928,250 - Couple homeowner (combined): approximately $1,031,000 - Couple non-homeowner (combined): approximately $1,273,000 Assessable assets include bank accounts, term deposits, shares, managed funds, investment properties, vehicles, boats, caravans, and the surrender value of life insurance policies. Superannuation in accumulation phase counts as an asset once you reach Age Pension age — it is no longer exempt. Your home is exempt regardless of its value, which is why downsizing can affect your pension eligibility if the sale proceeds push your financial assets above the threshold.
How much is the Age Pension in 2025–26?
The Age Pension maximum rates for 2025–26 (from September 20, 2025 indexation) are: **Single:** $1,116.30 per fortnight (base pension) + pension supplement and energy supplement = approximately $1,144.40 per fortnight total, or roughly $29,754 per year. **Couple (each):** $841.40 per fortnight (base) + supplements = approximately $863.20 per fortnight each, or roughly $44,886 per year combined. These rates will next increase on March 20, 2026, when the regular indexation takes effect. The pension is benchmarked against Male Total Average Weekly Earnings (MTAWE) — the single rate must be at least 28% of MTAWE, and the combined couple rate must be at least 41.76% of MTAWE. In addition to the base pension, you may receive Commonwealth Rent Assistance if you pay private rent (up to $188.20 per fortnight for singles), and you automatically qualify for a Pensioner Concession Card, which provides discounts on prescription medicines, utilities, council rates, and public transport in most states.
How to apply for the Age Pension
You can apply for the Age Pension online through your myGov account linked to Centrelink. This is the fastest method and allows you to track your claim's progress. Before you start, gather: proof of identity (passport, birth certificate, driver's licence), details of all your income sources, bank account and investment details, property valuations for any real estate you own (excluding your home), superannuation fund details, and your tax file number. The online claim takes approximately 30–45 minutes to complete if you have all documents ready. After lodging, you may be asked to attend an interview (in person or by phone) and provide additional documentation. Processing times vary but are typically 5–8 weeks. You can lodge your claim up to 13 weeks before reaching qualifying age to ensure there is no gap in payments. If your claim is approved, payments are backdated to the date you became eligible (or the date you lodged, whichever is later). If you find the online process difficult, you can call the Centrelink older Australians line on 132 300 or visit a Services Australia service centre for help. Financial Information Service (FIS) officers can also provide free guidance on how the pension interacts with your retirement savings strategy.
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General information and estimates only — not financial, tax, or legal advice. Always verify with Services Australia.
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