Commonwealth Rent Assistance: Centrelink Rates & Eligibility Guide 2025–26
Find out how much Commonwealth Rent Assistance you can get from Centrelink in 2025–26. Current rates, minimum rent thresholds, and who qualifies for CRA.
What is Commonwealth Rent Assistance?
Commonwealth Rent Assistance (CRA) is a non-taxable supplementary payment from the Australian Government to help eligible people who rent in the private market. It is not a standalone payment — you must be receiving a qualifying Centrelink payment or Family Tax Benefit Part A (at more than the base rate) to be eligible. CRA is designed to help with housing affordability by covering part of the gap between what you pay in rent and what the government considers a reasonable minimum contribution. The payment is income-tested through your primary payment, not separately — if you qualify for a Centrelink payment, the CRA amount is determined purely by how much rent you pay. As of 2025–26, CRA supports approximately 1.4 million Australians, with the government spending around $5.5 billion per year on the program. The payment was significantly increased in September 2023 and March 2024 — a total increase of 25% above normal indexation — as part of the government's response to the rental crisis. Importantly, CRA only applies to private rental. If you live in public housing, community housing where rent is income-based, or accommodation owned by a family member, you generally do not qualify. Boarding arrangements and site fees for caravans or mobile homes on land you do not own may qualify.
Rent Assistance rates 2025–26
CRA rates depend on your household type and how much rent you pay. You must pay above a minimum rent threshold to receive any CRA, and the payment is capped at a maximum amount. **Single, no children:** - Minimum rent: $135.20 per fortnight - Maximum CRA: $188.20 per fortnight - Rent needed for maximum CRA: $385.87 per fortnight ($193/week) **Single, with 1–2 children (or partnered with children):** - Minimum rent: $195.62 per fortnight - Maximum CRA: $222.44 per fortnight **Single, with 3+ children:** - Minimum rent: $195.62 per fortnight - Maximum CRA: $251.56 per fortnight **Couple, no children:** - Minimum rent: $219.92 per fortnight (combined) - Maximum CRA: $177.20 per fortnight **Single sharer (sharing accommodation):** - Minimum rent: $135.20 per fortnight - Maximum CRA: $125.44 per fortnight CRA is calculated at 75 cents for each dollar of rent above the minimum threshold, up to the maximum rate. For example, a single person paying $300 per fortnight in rent: $300 minus $135.20 = $164.80, multiplied by 0.75 = $123.60 in CRA per fortnight. These rates are indexed on 20 March and 20 September each year.
Who qualifies for Rent Assistance?
You qualify for CRA if you meet all three criteria: **1. You receive a qualifying payment:** This includes Age Pension, DSP, Carer Payment, JobSeeker Payment, Youth Allowance, Parenting Payment, Austudy, ABSTUDY Living Allowance, or Family Tax Benefit Part A (at more than base rate). Most Centrelink income support payments qualify. **2. You pay rent above the minimum threshold:** Your rent must be above the minimum rent threshold for your household type. If your rent is below the threshold, you receive no CRA. **3. You rent in the private market:** Your accommodation must be private rental, including renting a house, unit, or room from a private landlord, site fees for a caravan or mobile home on a site you do not own, some boarding house arrangements, or mooring fees for a houseboat. Government housing where rent is set as a proportion of income does not qualify. Some important exclusions: - You cannot receive CRA if you own the property you live in (including through a trust or company) - Renting from a parent or child generally does not qualify, unless you can demonstrate a genuine landlord-tenant relationship - If you and your partner both receive qualifying payments, only one of you receives CRA (it is included in one person's payment) - If you share accommodation and are single without children, you receive the sharer rate, which is lower than the standard single rate
How Rent Assistance interacts with your Centrelink payment
CRA is added on top of your base Centrelink payment and is subject to the same income and assets test as your primary payment. This means CRA does not have its own separate income test — if your primary payment reduces due to income, CRA remains at its full amount until your total payment (including CRA) reaches zero. For example, if you receive JobSeeker at $762.70 per fortnight plus CRA of $188.20, your total payment is $950.90. If you earn income that reduces your JobSeeker, CRA continues at $188.20 until the total payment cuts off. This effectively means CRA extends the income cut-off point for your payment. For FTB Part A recipients, CRA is paid as part of your fortnightly FTB instalments or as a lump sum at the end of the year. The CRA component of FTB uses the FTB Part A income test. **Verifying your rent:** Centrelink requires you to verify your rent when you first claim CRA and periodically thereafter. You will receive a Rent Certificate (SU523) form to complete — your landlord or real estate agent needs to sign it confirming your rent amount. If you do not return the Rent Certificate, your CRA may be suspended. **Changes in circumstances:** If your rent changes (increase or decrease), you move, or your living arrangements change, you must notify Centrelink within 14 days. Failing to report changes can result in overpayments that you will need to repay.
How to claim Rent Assistance
CRA is not claimed as a separate payment — it is automatically assessed when you claim a qualifying Centrelink payment or FTB Part A and provide your accommodation details. When lodging your primary payment claim (e.g., JobSeeker, Age Pension), you will be asked about your accommodation. Provide: - Your address - Whether you rent, own, or have another living arrangement - How much rent you pay and how often (weekly, fortnightly, monthly) - Your landlord or real estate agent's details If you are already receiving a Centrelink payment and start renting (or your rent changes), update your details through: - myGov online (Centrelink > My details > Accommodation) - The Centrelink Express Plus app - Calling Centrelink - Visiting a service centre After updating your details, Centrelink will send you a Rent Certificate to verify your arrangement. Complete this with your landlord and return it promptly — CRA will be paid from the date you first notified Centrelink of your rental arrangement, but only if the Rent Certificate is returned within the required timeframe. **Tip:** If you are about to sign a lease, update Centrelink on the day you start paying rent — not after you move in. CRA is not backdated beyond the date you notify Centrelink, so any delay costs you money.
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General information and estimates only — not financial, tax, or legal advice. Always verify with Services Australia.
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