Every Centrelink Payment Rate from March 20, 2026 — Full Updated Table

From March 20, 2026, most Centrelink payments increase due to regular indexation. The indexation adjusts payments in line with changes to the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and the Pensioner and Beneficiary Living Cost Index (PBLCI).

This happens twice a year — in March and September — to help payments keep pace with the cost of living. This March, indexation delivers modest increases across the board. For pensioners, payments are benchmarked against Male Total Average Weekly Earnings (MTAWE) to ensure the single pension stays at or above 28% of MTAWE. For allowance payments like JobSeeker, the increase is based purely on CPI. Here's every major payment with the new fortnightly rate from March 20.

Here's the thing. The Age Pension increases for both singles and couples: **Single:** $1,200.90 per fortnight (up $22.20) — that's approximately $31,223 per year including supplements. **Couple (each):** $905.20 per fortnight (up $16.70 each) — combined $1,810.40 per fortnight or approximately $47,070 per year. These amounts include the Pension Supplement and Energy Supplement. **Pension Supplement (max):** approximately $86.50 per fortnight (single), $65.20 each for couples. **Energy Supplement:** $14.10 per fortnight (single), $10.60 each for couples. The Age Pension is the largest single welfare payment in Australia, supporting over 2.6 million people. The $22.20 per fortnight increase adds up to $577 per year for singles.

JobSeeker Payment (formerly Newstart Allowance) increases vary depending on your circumstances: **Single, no children:** $762.70 per fortnight **Single, with children:** $816.90 per fortnight **Single, aged 55+ (after 9 continuous months):** $816.90 per fortnight **Partnered (each):** $693.10 per fortnight These amounts include the Energy Supplement ($8.80 single, $7.90 partnered per fortnight). The JobSeeker income free area remains at $150 per fortnight — you can earn up to $150 per fortnight before your payment starts reducing. Above that, payments reduce by 50 cents for each dollar earned up to $256, then 60 cents for each dollar above that.

DSP rates match the Age Pension for recipients aged 21 and over: **Single (21+):** $1,200.90 per fortnight **Couple (each, 21+):** $905.20 per fortnight **Single (under 21, no children):** $620.40 per fortnight **Single (under 21, with children):** $816.90 per fortnight DSP recipients also receive the Pension Supplement and Energy Supplement. If you're under 21 without children, your DSP rate is benchmarked against Youth Allowance rather than the full pension rate. DSP has its own income and asset test, but the thresholds are the same as the Age Pension. That's the key takeaway.

Youth Allowance rates depend on your living situation: **Single, living at home (under 18):** $345.00 per fortnight **Single, living away from home:** $620.40 per fortnight **Single with children:** $816.90 per fortnight **Partnered, no children:** $620.40 per fortnight These include the Energy Supplement. The income free area for Youth Allowance students is $524 per fortnight (approximately $13,624 per year) — significantly more generous than JobSeeker's $150 threshold. For job seekers on Youth Allowance (not students), the income test matches JobSeeker with the $150 free area.

**Parenting Payment Single:** $1,028.20 per fortnight Income free area: $215.60 per fortnight **Parenting Payment Partnered:** $673.60 per fortnight Income free area: $150.00 per fortnight Parenting Payment Single is one of the more generous working-age payments because it recognises the costs of raising children alone. The income test is also more generous — you can earn $215.60 per fortnight before any reduction, compared to $150 for most other payments. Eligibility for Parenting Payment Single requires your youngest child to be under 14.

Let's break this down. For Parenting Payment Partnered, your youngest child must be under 6.

**Carer Payment (single):** $1,200.90 per fortnight — same as Age Pension **Carer Payment (partnered, each):** $905.20 per fortnight **Carer Allowance:** $162.60 per fortnight (an income supplement, not income-tested) Carer Payment is income and asset tested like the Age Pension. Carer Allowance is paid on top of other payments and is NOT income or asset tested — you get the full amount regardless of your other income. You can receive both Carer Payment AND Carer Allowance at the same time if you qualify for both, giving a single carer up to $1,363.50 per fortnight.

Rent Assistance maximum rates are increasing: **Single, no children:** up to $215.40 per fortnight **Single sharer:** up to $143.60 per fortnight **Couple, no children:** up to $203.00 per fortnight (combined) **Family with children:** up to $286.02 per fortnight Rent Assistance is paid on top of your base payment and kicks in once your rent exceeds a threshold. For a single person with no children, the threshold is approximately $152.00 per fortnight.

Above that, you receive 75 cents of Rent Assistance for each dollar of rent until you hit the maximum. The September 2024 increase to Rent Assistance (10% boost) is now built into the base, and these March 2026 rates reflect further CPI indexation on top.

Deeming rates are increasing for the first time since June 2020: **Lower deeming rate:** 1.25% (up from 0.75%) **Upper deeming rate:** 3.25% (up from 2.75%) **Deeming thresholds:** - Single: first $64,200 at 1.25%, balance at 3.25% - Couple (combined): first $106,200 at 1.25%, balance at 3.25% **What this means in practice:** If you're a single pensioner with $200,000 in financial assets: - Old deemed income: $64,200 × 0.75% + $135,800 × 2.75% = $481.50 + $3,734.50 = $4,216/year ($162.15/fn) - New deemed income: $64,200 × 1.25% + $135,800 × 3.25% = $802.50 + $4,413.50 = $5,216/year ($200.62/fn) - Extra deemed income: $1,000/year ($38.46/fn) This means your pension could reduce by about $19.23 per fortnight (50 cents per dollar of income above the free area) — partially offsetting the $22.20 pension increase. The government is phasing the increase in gradually rather than jumping straight to the RBA cash rate, to cushion the impact on pensioners.

Quick reality check. **Income test free areas (pension payments):** - Single: $218 per fortnight ($5,668/year) - Couple (combined): $380 per fortnight ($9,880/year) Above the free area, pensions reduce by 50 cents for each dollar of income. **Income test cut-off points (Age Pension):** - Single: approximately $2,619.80 per fortnight - Couple (combined): approximately $4,000.80 per fortnight **Asset test thresholds (Age Pension):** - Single homeowner: $321,500 (full pension), $714,500 (cut-off) - Single non-homeowner: $579,500 (full pension), $972,500 (cut-off) - Couple homeowner: $481,500 (full pension), $1,074,000 (cut-off) - Couple non-homeowner: $739,500 (full pension), $1,332,000 (cut-off) Above the full-pension threshold, assets reduce your pension by $3 per fortnight for every $1,000 of assets above the threshold. Remember: Centrelink applies BOTH the income test and the asset test, and pays you under whichever test gives the LOWER amount. Pretty straightforward once you know.

**Family Tax Benefit Part A (per child per fortnight):** - Child 0-12: $227.36 - Child 13-15: $295.82 - Child 16-19 (in approved study): $295.82 **FTB Part A supplement:** up to $938.05 per child per year **Family Tax Benefit Part B (per family per fortnight):** - Youngest child under 5: $193.34 - Youngest child 5-18: $134.96 **FTB Part B supplement:** up to $459.90 per family per year **FTB Part A income test:** - Free area: $62,634 per year (family income) - Reduces by 20 cents per dollar above the free area until base rate is reached - Second income test applies at $112,578: reduces by 30 cents per dollar FTB Part B has a secondary earner income test — the lower-income partner can earn up to $6,497 per year before Part B starts reducing. Remember to do your FTB reconciliation after the end of financial year to make sure you received the correct amount — top-ups or debts are common.

The new rates take effect from March 20, 2026. However, when you actually see the increase depends on your payment delivery day: - If your regular payment falls ON March 20 or later, it will be at the new rate - If your payment falls just before March 20, your NEXT payment will be at the new rate - You don't need to do anything — the increase is automatic - No need to call Centrelink or update your details **Centrelink payment dates for late March 2026:** - Age Pension: March 19, April 2, April 16 - JobSeeker: Varies by reporting cycle - DSP: March 19, April 2, April 16 - Family Tax Benefit: Fortnightly or as a lump sum after EOFY If you think your payment is wrong after March 20, check your Centrelink online account first — you can see a breakdown of how your payment was calculated under 'Payment details'.