Single Parent Centrelink Payments: Complete Guide for 2026
Every Centrelink payment available to single parents in Australia — Parenting Payment Single, FTB, child care subsidies, and more with exact dollar amounts.
Parenting Payment Single: Your Main Income Support
Parenting Payment Single (PPS) is the primary income support for single parents and is one of the higher Centrelink payments. As of March 2026, PPS pays up to $987.70 per fortnight (including the Energy Supplement of $9.50). You qualify if you are single and have a child under 14 in your care. There is no activity test until your youngest child turns 6, at which point you need to do 15 hours per week of approved activities such as part-time work, study, or volunteering. The income test allows you to earn up to $190.60 per fortnight before your payment starts reducing at 40 cents per dollar. Once your income exceeds about $2,659 per fortnight, the payment cuts out entirely. PPS includes an automatic Pensioner Concession Card, giving you access to cheaper medicines and state-based concessions.
Family Tax Benefit Part A and Part B
On top of PPS, you should claim Family Tax Benefit (FTB). FTB Part A is paid per child and depends on the child's age: up to $219.36 per fortnight for each child under 13, and up to $285.44 per fortnight for each child aged 13 to 15 (or 16-19 if in secondary study). FTB Part A also includes a supplement of up to $850.70 per child per year, paid after you lodge your tax return. FTB Part B is specifically designed for single parents and pays up to $174.02 per fortnight if your youngest child is under 5, or $121.54 per fortnight if your youngest is aged 5 to 18. There is no income test on FTB Part B for single parents — you receive the full rate regardless of your income. The FTB Part B supplement adds up to $430.70 per family per year after tax lodgement.
Child Care Subsidy for Working or Studying Parents
If you use approved child care (long day care, family day care, or outside school hours care), the Child Care Subsidy (CCS) covers a percentage of fees. For single parents earning under $83,280 per year, CCS covers 90% of fees up to the hourly rate cap of $15.04 per hour for centre-based care. Your activity level determines how many subsidised hours you get: working or studying 8 to 16 hours per fortnight gives 36 subsidised hours, 16 to 48 hours gives 72 hours, and 48+ hours gives 100 hours. Single parents on income support with a child not yet in school get 36 subsidised hours per fortnight regardless of activity. The Additional Child Care Subsidy (ACCS) provides extra support for families in financial hardship — it covers 100% of fees up to the cap for up to 13 weeks.
Rent Assistance and Housing Support
Single parents renting privately can receive Commonwealth Rent Assistance on top of FTB or PPS. If you have one or two children, the maximum CRA is $209.58 per fortnight once your rent exceeds $177.14 per fortnight. With three or more children, the maximum increases to $237.18 per fortnight with a rent threshold of $201.04. For a single parent paying $400 per fortnight in rent with two children, CRA would be approximately $167.33 per fortnight — a significant boost. You may also be eligible for state housing assistance: NSW offers the Private Rental Subsidy, Victoria has the Private Rental Assistance Program, and Queensland provides bond loans and rental grants up to 4 weeks rent. Contact your state housing authority to check eligibility for social or community housing waitlists.
Back-to-School and Education Costs
Several payments help with education costs for children of single parents. The Schoolkids Bonus was replaced by the FTB Part A supplement, but some states offer their own help. NSW provides the Back to School allowance of $150 per primary child and $250 per secondary child for eligible families. Victoria offers the Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund (CSEF) of $150 for primary and $225 for secondary students on a concession card. Queensland has the Textbook and Resource Allowance of $138 for years 7 to 12. If your child is studying after turning 16, you continue to receive FTB Part A as long as they are in full-time secondary education. Once they finish Year 12 or turn 19, they may claim Youth Allowance in their own right while you transition to JobSeeker Payment.
Health Care Card and Medical Costs
As a PPS recipient, your Pensioner Concession Card (PCC) provides substantial savings on healthcare. PBS prescription medicines cost just $7.70 per script instead of $31.60 at the general rate. After 48 scripts in a calendar year, you reach the Safety Net and scripts become free. You also get bulk-billed GP visits at many practices and may access free dental through state public dental clinics (though waiting lists can be long). If your child needs glasses, hearing aids, or other aids, check with your state health department for subsidised programs. The PCC also gives you free or discounted ambulance cover in most states — in Queensland and Tasmania, ambulance is free for all residents, while in Victoria and SA your PCC covers the cost. NSW charges up to $401 for a callout unless you have concession cover.
Transitioning Off Parenting Payment
When your youngest child turns 14, you will be transferred from PPS to JobSeeker Payment, which pays less — $762.70 per fortnight compared to $987.70 on PPS. Centrelink will contact you before this transition. You will need to connect with Workforce Australia and meet mutual obligations including job search requirements. However, you will still receive FTB Part A and Part B if your child is under 19 and in study. Principal carer parents on JobSeeker have reduced mutual obligations: only 15 hours per week of approved activities rather than full-time job search. You are also exempt from relocation requirements and have access to more flexible activity options. If you re-partner, you may be assessed for Parenting Payment Partnered instead, which has a lower rate of $648.30 per fortnight and cuts off when your youngest turns 6.
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General information and estimates only — not financial, tax, or legal advice. Always verify with Services Australia.
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