Age Pension vs Disability Support Pension 2026: Side-by-Side
Compare Age Pension and Disability Support Pension rates, eligibility, and income tests for March 2026. Find out which payment suits your situation.
| Age Pension | Disability Support Pension | |
|---|---|---|
| Fortnightly Rate | $1,144.40/fn (single) | $1,144.40/fn (single, 21 or older) |
| Who Is It For | Australians who have reached Age Pension age (67) and meet residence requirements. | People with a permanent physical, intellectual, or psychiatric condition that prevents them from working 15+ hours per week. |
| Age Requirement | 67 or older | 16 or older (under Age Pension age to qualify initially) |
| Income Test | Single: $204/fn free area, reduces by 50c/$1 above that. Couple combined: $360/fn free area. | Single: $204/fn free area, reduces by 50c/$1 above that. Same as Age Pension. |
| Assets Test | Single homeowner: $314,000 (full pension), $686,250 (cut-off). Single non-homeowner: $566,000 / $928,250. | Same thresholds as Age Pension. Single homeowner: $314,000 (full), $686,250 (cut-off). |
| Work Requirement | None — no requirement to look for work. | Must have a permanent condition rated at 20+ impairment points (or 15+ if actively participating in a program of support). Reviewed periodically. |
| Extras & Supplements | Energy Supplement $14.10/fn. Pension Supplement $81.60/fn. Eligible for Pensioner Concession Card with PBS, transport, rates concessions. | Energy Supplement $14.10/fn. Pension Supplement $81.60/fn. Pensioner Concession Card. Auto-transfers to Age Pension at age 67. |
Age Pension
- Fortnightly Rate
- $1,144.40/fn (single)
- Who Is It For
- Australians who have reached Age Pension age (67) and meet residence requirements.
- Age Requirement
- 67 or older
- Income Test
- Single: $204/fn free area, reduces by 50c/$1 above that. Couple combined: $360/fn free area.
- Assets Test
- Single homeowner: $314,000 (full pension), $686,250 (cut-off). Single non-homeowner: $566,000 / $928,250.
- Work Requirement
- None — no requirement to look for work.
- Extras & Supplements
- Energy Supplement $14.10/fn. Pension Supplement $81.60/fn. Eligible for Pensioner Concession Card with PBS, transport, rates concessions.
Disability Support Pension
- Fortnightly Rate
- $1,144.40/fn (single, 21 or older)
- Who Is It For
- People with a permanent physical, intellectual, or psychiatric condition that prevents them from working 15+ hours per week.
- Age Requirement
- 16 or older (under Age Pension age to qualify initially)
- Income Test
- Single: $204/fn free area, reduces by 50c/$1 above that. Same as Age Pension.
- Assets Test
- Same thresholds as Age Pension. Single homeowner: $314,000 (full), $686,250 (cut-off).
- Work Requirement
- Must have a permanent condition rated at 20+ impairment points (or 15+ if actively participating in a program of support). Reviewed periodically.
- Extras & Supplements
- Energy Supplement $14.10/fn. Pension Supplement $81.60/fn. Pensioner Concession Card. Auto-transfers to Age Pension at age 67.
Which one should you choose?
The rates are identical — both pay $1,144.40/fn for a single person. The difference is eligibility. DSP requires a permanent medical condition assessed at 20+ impairment points and is available from age 16. Age Pension requires you to be 67+. If you are on DSP and reach 67, you automatically transfer to Age Pension with no change in payment. If you are under 67 with a disability, DSP is the appropriate payment. Both have the same income and asset test thresholds.
General information and estimates only — not financial, tax, or legal advice. Always verify with Services Australia.