Centrelink Payment Rates March 2026: Every Increase Explained
Full breakdown of every Centrelink payment rate increase from the March 20, 2026 indexation. Age Pension, JobSeeker, DSP, Carer Payment, Parenting Payment, Youth Allowance, Rent Assistance and deeming rate changes — all updated figures in one place.
March 20, 2026 indexation: what changed today
Centrelink payment rates increased today, March 20, 2026, through the regular twice-yearly indexation process. Every major income support and pension payment has been adjusted upward to reflect movements in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and the Pensioner and Beneficiary Living Cost Index (PBLCI). The increases are modest compared to the sharp rises of 2023 and 2024, reflecting the slower inflation environment — but they still put real money in people's pockets. Below is a complete summary of every key payment rate as of today. All figures are fortnightly unless stated otherwise. If you were already receiving a payment, the new rate should appear in your next regular payment cycle without you needing to do anything.
Age Pension rates from March 20, 2026
The Age Pension is the largest Centrelink payment by recipient numbers, and it received a meaningful increase today. **Single:** $1,144.40 per fortnight (up ~$22.00 from $1,122.40) **Couple combined:** $1,725.20 per fortnight (up ~$33.20 from $1,692.00) **Couple separated due to illness combined:** $2,288.80 per fortnight These figures include the Pension Supplement and Energy Supplement, which are rolled into the headline rate. The single rate works out to $572.20 per week or approximately $29,755 per year. The increase of roughly $22 per fortnight for singles reflects a CPI-linked indexation of approximately 1.96%. For couples, the combined increase of about $33.20 per fortnight maintains the couple rate at roughly 150% of the single rate, consistent with longstanding policy. The Age Pension is benchmarked against both CPI and Male Total Average Weekly Earnings (MTAWE), with the higher of the two used. This indexation, CPI was the binding benchmark.
JobSeeker Payment rates from March 20, 2026
JobSeeker Payment — the main working-age unemployment benefit — also increased today. **Single, no children:** $762.70 per fortnight (up ~$12.50 from $750.20) **Single, with dependent children:** $816.90 per fortnight (up ~$13.40) **Single, 55+ after 9 months on payment:** $816.90 per fortnight **Partnered (each):** $698.30 per fortnight (up ~$11.40) The increase is smaller in dollar terms than the pension because JobSeeker is indexed only to CPI, not the wage benchmark. The single rate works out to roughly $381.35 per week. JobSeeker recipients should also note that the income free area remains at $150 per fortnight — this threshold is not indexed and only changes through specific government policy decisions. The taper rates remain at 50 cents in the dollar for income between $150 and $256, and 60 cents above $256.
Disability Support Pension rates from March 20, 2026
The Disability Support Pension (DSP) is pegged to the same rate as the Age Pension, so it received the same dollar increase. **Single:** $1,144.40 per fortnight (up ~$22.00) **Couple combined:** $1,725.20 per fortnight (up ~$33.20) **Under 21 with no children:** varies by living arrangement, ranging from $586.30 to $791.20 per fortnight DSP recipients under 21 receive lower rates that are set separately, but these were also increased in line with CPI today. The income test settings for DSP allow singles to earn up to $204 per fortnight before any reduction, which is more generous than the $150 threshold for JobSeeker. Above $204, the taper rate is 50 cents in the dollar.
Carer Payment and Carer Allowance from March 20, 2026
Carer Payment is also aligned with the Age Pension rate, meaning carers receive the same increase. **Carer Payment single:** $1,144.40 per fortnight (up ~$22.00) **Carer Payment couple (each):** $862.60 per fortnight (up ~$16.60) **Carer Allowance:** $153.00 per fortnight (up ~$2.80) Carer Allowance is a separate supplementary payment that can be received on top of Carer Payment or another income support payment. It is not income or asset tested but does have a qualifying threshold based on the care receiver's adjusted taxable income ($250,000 or less). The Carer Supplement of $600 per year is paid automatically in July to anyone who receives Carer Allowance or Carer Payment on that date.
Parenting Payment rates from March 20, 2026
Parenting Payment comes in two tiers — Single and Partnered — with significantly different rates and income test settings. **Parenting Payment Single:** $987.70 per fortnight (up ~$17.80) **Parenting Payment Partnered:** $698.30 per fortnight (up ~$11.40) Parenting Payment Single is the more generous rate and is available to single parents with a child under 14 (or under 8 for new claimants from September 2023). Partnered parents can receive Parenting Payment if their youngest child is under 6. The Parenting Payment Single income test allows recipients to earn up to $202.60 per fortnight before any reduction, with a taper of 40 cents in the dollar above that amount. This is one of the more generous income test settings across the Centrelink system, reflecting the policy goal of supporting single parents who are building workforce participation gradually.
Youth Allowance rates from March 20, 2026
Youth Allowance rates vary significantly depending on your living situation and age. **At home, under 18:** $345.80 per fortnight (up ~$5.80) **At home, 18+:** $415.40 per fortnight (up ~$6.80) **Away from home / independent, single no children:** $596.10 per fortnight (up ~$9.60) **Away from home / independent, single with children:** $596.10 per fortnight (up ~$9.60) **Living at home with a parent (18+):** $455.70 per fortnight (up ~$7.40) The distinction between 'at home' and 'away from home' is one of the biggest determinants of how much Youth Allowance pays. Students and apprentices who need to live away from the family home for study purposes can apply for the higher away-from-home rate, which is roughly 43% more than the at-home rate for over-18s. Youth Allowance is available to full-time students aged 16–24, apprentices aged 16–24, and job seekers aged 16–21.
Commonwealth Rent Assistance from March 20, 2026
Rent Assistance is the key add-on for any renter receiving a Centrelink payment, and it also increased with indexation. **Maximum rate, single no children:** $219.40 per fortnight (up ~$3.80) **Maximum rate, couple no children:** $206.80 per fortnight combined (up ~$3.60) **Maximum rate, single with 1-2 children:** $256.28 per fortnight (up ~$4.40) **Maximum rate, couple with 1-2 children:** $256.28 per fortnight combined (up ~$4.40) Rent Assistance kicks in once your rent exceeds a minimum threshold — currently $135.40 per fortnight for singles without children. Above that floor, you receive 75 cents for every dollar of rent paid, up to the maximum rate. This means a single person without children paying $430 or more per fortnight in rent ($215/week) will receive the full $219.40 per fortnight. Combined with a base payment like JobSeeker, total fortnightly income for a single renter can reach $982.10 before other supplements. The September 2025 Budget delivered a significant one-off increase to Rent Assistance maximums. Today's indexation builds on that higher base, which is good news for the 1.6 million Australians who rely on this supplement.
Deeming rates changed from March 20, 2026
In a significant shift, the deeming rates used to assess income from financial assets have also changed effective today. **Lower deeming rate:** 1.25% (was 0.25%) **Upper deeming rate:** 3.25% (was 2.25%) **Threshold — single:** $64,200 (financial assets up to this amount deemed at the lower rate) **Threshold — couple:** $106,600 combined This is a full 1 percentage point increase on both the lower and upper deeming rates — the largest single adjustment since the emergency rate cuts during COVID-19 in 2020. The practical impact: the government now assumes your financial assets earn more income than before, which increases your assessed income under the income test. For some pensioners, this could reduce their pension by a small amount. However, the simultaneous increase in payment rates will partially or fully offset this for most recipients. For a detailed breakdown of how these changes affect different savings levels, see our dedicated article on the March 2026 deeming rate changes.
What to do after the March 2026 increase
The new rates apply automatically — you do not need to contact Services Australia or lodge any forms to receive the higher amounts. Your next regular payment will reflect the updated rate. However, this is a good time to review your overall entitlements. The deeming rate increase means your income test assessment has changed, even if your actual financial situation has not. If you are a part-rate pensioner, your payment may have decreased slightly despite the headline rate increase — use our Age Pension Calculator to check your specific numbers. If you are not currently receiving a payment but think you might now be eligible, the income and asset test thresholds have also been adjusted upward. The asset test upper thresholds for the Age Pension increased to approximately $695,500 for a single homeowner and $1,045,500 for a homeowner couple. Key actions to consider: 1. Check your next Centrelink payment to confirm the new rate has been applied. 2. If you have significant financial assets, use the Deeming Rates Calculator to see how the new rates affect your assessed income. 3. If you are close to the income or asset test thresholds, recalculate your entitlement using our free calculators. 4. If you receive Rent Assistance, verify your rent details are up to date in your Centrelink record — incorrect rent information is one of the most common reasons people miss out on their full entitlement.
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General information and estimates only — not financial, tax, or legal advice. Always verify with Services Australia.
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