Centrelink Payment Rates March 2026: Every Payment Updated

Centrelink payment rates were updated on 20 March 2026 through the regular twice-yearly indexation process. This indexation was driven by CPI movements of approximately 1.8%, resulting in modest increases across all payments. This article is your one-stop reference for every major Centrelink payment rate as of right now.

All figures are per fortnight and include the Energy Supplement unless otherwise stated. Rates are current from 20 March 2026 and will remain in effect until the next indexation on 20 September 2026. If you're already receiving a payment, the new rate is applied automatically. You don't need to do anything.

If you think the increase has not been applied, wait until your next regular payment date and check your Centrelink online account.

The Age Pension is Australia's largest income support payment by number of recipients, supporting around 2.6 million Australians. **Single:** $1,149.60 per fortnight ($574.80 per week, approximately $29,890 per year) **Couple (each):** $866.80 per fortnight ($433.40 per week) **Couple (combined):** $1,733.60 per fortnight ($866.80 per week) **Couple separated due to illness (each):** $1,149.60 per fortnight These figures include the Pension Supplement (max $81.60 per fortnight single) and Energy Supplement ($14.10 per fortnight single). The increase from the previous quarter was approximately $20–$22 per fortnight for singles and $30–$34 combined for couples. This reflects CPI indexation of around 1.8%.

The short version: The Age Pension is indexed to the higher of CPI or Male Total Average Weekly Earnings (MTAWE) — this quarter, CPI was the binding measure. **Income test:** Singles can earn up to $204 per fortnight ($5,304 per year) before their pension is reduced. Couples can earn up to $360 per fortnight combined. Above these thresholds, the pension reduces by 50 cents for every dollar earned. **Assets test (homeowners):** Singles — up to $314,000 for full pension, up to $695,500 for part pension.

Couples — up to $470,000 for full pension, up to $1,045,500 for part pension. Non-homeowner thresholds are $566,000 higher.

JobSeeker Payment is the main working-age income support payment for people aged 22 to Age Pension age who are looking for work. **Single, no children:** $817.50 per fortnight ($408.75 per week) **Single, with dependent child(ren):** $870.90 per fortnight **Single, 55+ and on payment for 9+ months:** $870.90 per fortnight **Partnered (each):** $748.30 per fortnight The single base rate increased by approximately $14–$15 per fortnight from the previous rate, reflecting the 1.8% CPI indexation. JobSeeker is indexed only to CPI, not wages. **Income free area:** $150 per fortnight.

You can earn up to $150 per fortnight from employment without any reduction to your payment. Above $150, your payment reduces by 50 cents per dollar up to $256, then 60 cents per dollar above $256. **Working Credits:** If you earn less than $48 in a fortnight, you build Working Credits (up to a maximum bank of 1,000 points). These credits can offset future employment income, effectively increasing your income free area. JobSeeker recipients also receive the Energy Supplement ($9.50 per fortnight for singles) and may qualify for Rent Assistance (up to $219.40 per fortnight) and Pharmaceutical Allowance ($6.40 per fortnight).

Both the Disability Support Pension (DSP) and Carer Payment are set at the same rate as the Age Pension, reflecting their status as long-term income support payments. **DSP — single:** $1,149.60 per fortnight **DSP — couple (each):** $866.80 per fortnight **DSP — under 21, living at home:** from $601.10 per fortnight **DSP — under 21, living independently:** from $805.60 per fortnight **Carer Payment — single:** $1,149.60 per fortnight **Carer Payment — couple (each):** $866.80 per fortnight **Carer Allowance:** $156.40 per fortnight Carer Allowance is a supplementary payment on top of Carer Payment or another income support payment. It's not income or asset tested but requires that the care receiver's adjusted taxable income be $250,000 or less. **Carer Supplement:** $600 per year (paid as a lump sum in July to anyone receiving Carer Allowance or Carer Payment on 1 July) The DSP income free area is $204 per fortnight — the same as the Age Pension.

Real talk — Above that, the taper rate is 50 cents per dollar. DSP recipients who work can also access the Work Bonus scheme (see the income free areas article below).

**Youth Allowance (job seeker, under 22)** - At home, under 18: $352.40 per fortnight - At home, 18 and over: $424.80 per fortnight - Away from home / independent, no children: $677.20 per fortnight - With a dependent child: $677.20 per fortnight Youth Allowance is available to full-time students (16–24), apprentices (16–24), and job seekers (16–21). The income free area for Youth Allowance was increased significantly in January 2026 to $539 per fortnight for students and apprentices, which is one of the most generous income test settings in the Centrelink system. **Parenting Payment Single:** $1,004.60 per fortnight Available to single parents with a child under 14.

The income free area is $202.60 per fortnight, with a taper of 40 cents per dollar above that. **Parenting Payment Partnered:** $748.30 per fortnight (each) Available to partnered parents with a child under 6. Parenting Payment Single is one of the higher working-age payments and includes the Pension Supplement. Recipients transitioning off Parenting Payment when their child turns 14 typically move to JobSeeker at a lower rate.

**Family Tax Benefit Part A** - Maximum rate per child (0–12 years): $223.44 per fortnight - Maximum rate per child (13–15 years): $290.36 per fortnight - Maximum rate per child (16–19 years, in secondary study): $290.36 per fortnight - Base rate (when income reduces FTB A below maximum): $68.18 per fortnight per child FTB Part A starts reducing once family income exceeds $62,634 per year. The taper rate is 20 cents per dollar above that threshold until the payment reaches the base rate, then a further taper of 30 cents per dollar above the higher income threshold of approximately $111,398. **Family Tax Benefit Part B** - Youngest child 0–4: up to $200.48 per fortnight - Youngest child 5–18: up to $139.58 per fortnight FTB Part B is designed for single-income families.

The primary earner has no income test, but the secondary earner's income must be below $6,497 per year for the full rate. **Commonwealth Rent Assistance** - Maximum rate, single no children: $219.40 per fortnight - Maximum rate, couple no children: $206.80 per fortnight (combined) - Maximum rate, single with 1–2 children: $256.28 per fortnight - Maximum rate, couple with 1–2 children: $256.28 per fortnight - Maximum rate, single with 3+ children: $290.08 per fortnight Rent Assistance kicks in once your rent exceeds the minimum threshold ($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. Rent Assistance is paid on top of your base payment and is one of the most commonly missed entitlements — if you're renting and receiving any Centrelink payment, make sure your rent details are up to date. Not complicated — just easy to miss.

One thing people miss: The March 2026 indexation was modest compared to the large increases of 2023 and 2024. The CPI-linked increase of approximately 1.8% reflects the slowing inflation environment, with the annual CPI sitting around 2.5% — back within the Reserve Bank's target band. In practical terms, the increases were: - Age Pension / DSP / Carer Payment (single): up approximately $20–$22 per fortnight - Age Pension / DSP / Carer Payment (couple combined): up approximately $30–$34 per fortnight - JobSeeker (single, no children): up approximately $14–$15 per fortnight - Youth Allowance (away from home): up approximately $10–$12 per fortnight - Rent Assistance (maximum, single): up approximately $3–$4 per fortnight The smaller increases reflect a trade-off: lower inflation means smaller indexation bumps, but it also means the cost of living is rising more slowly.

The real purchasing power of payments should be roughly maintained. Note that the March 2026 indexation also included changes to deeming rates — the lower deeming rate moved to 1.25% and the upper rate to 3.25%. For pensioners with significant financial assets, the deeming rate increase may partially offset the payment rate increase. See our dedicated deeming rate changes article for worked examples. The next indexation is scheduled for 20 September 2026.

Between now and then, the May 2026 Federal Budget may announce additional one-off changes to payment rates or settings.