Parenting Payment Single: Eligibility, Rates & Income Test 2025–26
Complete guide to Parenting Payment Single in Australia. Find out eligibility requirements, current fortnightly rates, income test thresholds, and how Parenting Payment compares to JobSeeker for single parents.
What is Parenting Payment Single?
Parenting Payment Single (PPS) is a Centrelink income support payment for single parents or carers who are the principal carer of at least one child under 14 years of age. It is one of the more generous working-age payments in the Australian social security system, recognising the financial challenges of raising children as a sole parent. As of 2025–26, the maximum rate of Parenting Payment Single is $1,028.20 per fortnight (including Energy Supplement), which equates to approximately $26,733 per year. This is significantly higher than JobSeeker Payment ($762.70 per fortnight for a single person without children), reflecting the additional costs and reduced earning capacity of single parents. Parenting Payment Single is separate from Parenting Payment Partnered (PPP), which has lower rates and stricter eligibility. If you are in a relationship, you may qualify for PPP instead, but the qualifying age of the youngest child is under 6 (compared to under 14 for PPS). If you separate from your partner, you should notify Centrelink immediately to be reassessed for PPS. PPS recipients automatically qualify for a Pensioner Concession Card, which provides discounts on prescription medicines through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, bulk-billed medical appointments (at participating practices), and concessions on state government fees such as energy, water, council rates, and public transport.
Parenting Payment Single eligibility requirements
To receive Parenting Payment Single, you must meet all of the following criteria: **1. Single parent or carer:** You must be single — not in a married or de facto relationship. Centrelink will assess your relationship status, and if they determine you are in a relationship (including a de facto relationship), you will be assessed for Parenting Payment Partnered instead. **2. Principal carer of a child under 14:** You must be the principal carer of at least one dependent child under 14 years of age. The principal carer is the person who has the greatest share of the day-to-day care of the child. In shared care arrangements, only one person can be the principal carer for payment purposes. **3. Australian resident:** You must be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or hold a qualifying visa. You must be in Australia on the day you claim. **4. Meet the income and assets tests:** Your income and assets must be below the relevant thresholds (detailed in the next section). **5. Mutual obligations:** PPS recipients with a youngest child aged 6 or over must meet part-time mutual obligation requirements. This means you need to look for or engage in work of at least 15 hours per week, or participate in an approved activity such as study, training, or volunteering. If your youngest child is under 6, you have no mutual obligations. When your youngest child turns 14, you lose eligibility for PPS and will be transferred to JobSeeker Payment (or another appropriate payment). Centrelink will notify you in advance of this transition.
Parenting Payment Single rates and supplements (2025–26)
The current maximum rates for Parenting Payment Single are: **Base rate:** $987.70 per fortnight **Energy Supplement:** $10.40 per fortnight **Pharmaceutical Allowance:** $6.40 per fortnight **Total maximum payment:** $1,028.20 per fortnight (approximately $26,733/year) In addition to the base payment, you may also receive: **Commonwealth Rent Assistance:** Up to $188.20 per fortnight if you pay private rent above the minimum threshold. For single parents with 1–2 children, the maximum CRA is $222.44 per fortnight. **Family Tax Benefit:** PPS recipients are also eligible for FTB Part A and Part B. FTB Part B for single parents has no income test, meaning you receive the full amount regardless of your income. FTB Part A maximum rate is $213.36 per fortnight per child aged 0–12 or $277.48 per child aged 13–15. **Child Care Subsidy:** PPS recipients typically qualify for the maximum 90% CCS rate due to low income. Combined, a single parent with two children aged 5 and 8 on PPS could receive approximately: $1,028 (PPS) + $222 (CRA) + $427 (FTB-A for 2 children) + $189 (FTB-B) = approximately $1,866 per fortnight in total government support, plus CCS covering 90% of childcare fees. This illustrates how the multiple payments stack to support single parents.
Parenting Payment Single income test
The PPS income test is more generous than most other working-age payments, providing a stronger incentive for single parents to work part-time. **Income free area:** $215.60 per fortnight. You can earn up to $215.60 per fortnight ($5,606/year) without any reduction to your Parenting Payment. **Taper rate:** Above $215.60, your payment reduces by 40 cents for every dollar earned. This is lower than the 50/60 cent taper used for JobSeeker, meaning you keep more of your earnings. **Cut-off point:** Your PPS cuts off entirely when your fortnightly income reaches approximately $2,786 per fortnight (approximately $72,436/year), depending on your exact circumstances and whether you receive Rent Assistance. **Comparison with JobSeeker income test:** - PPS free area: $215.60/fortnight vs JobSeeker: $150/fortnight - PPS taper: 40 cents/dollar vs JobSeeker: 50-60 cents/dollar - This means a single parent on PPS earning $500/fortnight would keep more of their payment than a JobSeeker recipient earning the same amount. **Working Credit:** PPS recipients accumulate Working Credits at 48 credits per fortnight, up to a maximum of 1,000 credits. These credits offset future income, effectively raising the free area temporarily when you start working. **Assets test:** The assets test thresholds are the same as for other allowance payments. Single homeowners: up to $301,750 for full rate. Single non-homeowners: up to $543,750 for full rate.
What happens when your child turns 14?
When your youngest qualifying child turns 14, you lose eligibility for Parenting Payment Single. This is one of the most significant transitions in the social security system for single parents, and it typically results in a reduction in your total payment. Centrelink will write to you approximately 8 weeks before the transition to explain your options. In most cases, you will be transferred to JobSeeker Payment, which has a lower base rate ($762.70 vs $1,028.20 per fortnight for singles without children — though with children, the JobSeeker rate is $816.90). **Key changes at the transition:** - Lower base rate (reduction of approximately $211 per fortnight) - Stricter income test (50/60 cent taper vs 40 cents) - Full mutual obligation requirements (you must look for work of at least 15 hours per week, unless you have an exemption) - You may lose your Pensioner Concession Card and transition to a Health Care Card **Mitigating the impact:** - You do not need to claim JobSeeker separately — Centrelink will automatically transfer you in most cases - You continue to receive FTB Part A and Part B for qualifying children - If you have another child who is under 14 (or become the principal carer of another child under 14), you can reclaim PPS - If you are undertaking approved study or training, you may be able to negotiate reduced mutual obligations **Grandfathering:** If you were already receiving PPS before September 2023 when the age threshold was last changed, different grandfathering rules may apply. Check with Centrelink about your specific circumstances. Planning ahead is important — try to increase your work hours and income before the transition to cushion the payment reduction.
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General information and estimates only — not financial, tax, or legal advice. Always verify with Services Australia.
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