Centrelink Assets Test Thresholds 2025-26
Complete reference for all Centrelink assets test limits. See how much you can own and still qualify for Age Pension, JobSeeker, Youth Allowance, and other payments. Updated for March 2026.
Last verified: 20 March 2026Age Pension — Assets Test Thresholds
| Status | Full Pension (Homeowner) | Cut-off (Homeowner) | Full Pension (Non-homeowner) | Cut-off (Non-homeowner) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single | $314,000 | $686,250 | $566,000 | $938,250 |
| Couple combined | $470,000 | $1,031,000 | $722,000 | $1,283,000 |
The assets test taper reduces the pension by $3.00 per fortnight for every $1,000 of assets above the full pension threshold. These thresholds also apply to DSP (21+) and Carer Payment.
DSP & Carer Payment — Assets Test Thresholds
| Status | Full Payment (Homeowner) | Cut-off (Homeowner) | Full Payment (Non-homeowner) | Cut-off (Non-homeowner) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single | $314,000 | $686,250 | $566,000 | $938,250 |
| Couple combined | $470,000 | $1,031,000 | $722,000 | $1,283,000 |
DSP (age 21+) and Carer Payment use the same assets test thresholds and taper rate as Age Pension. DSP under 21 has separate lower thresholds.
JobSeeker, Youth Allowance & Austudy — Assets Test
| Status | Homeowner | Non-homeowner |
|---|---|---|
| Single | $314,000 | $566,000 |
| Couple combined | $470,000 | $722,000 |
For these payments, the assets test is a hard cut-off. If your assets exceed the limit, you lose the payment entirely — there is no taper or gradual reduction.
Parenting Payment — Assets Test
| Status | Homeowner | Non-homeowner |
|---|---|---|
| PPS (single parent) | $314,000 | $566,000 |
| PPP (partnered parent) | $470,000 (combined) | $722,000 (combined) |
Parenting Payment Single uses a hard cut-off. Parenting Payment Partnered uses the same thresholds as allowances.
Assets Test Taper Rate (Pension-type payments)
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Taper rate | $3.00 per fortnight per $1,000 over threshold |
| Applies to | Age Pension, DSP (21+), Carer Payment |
| Does NOT apply to | JobSeeker, Youth Allowance, Austudy (hard cut-off instead) |
What counts as an asset?
- *Investment property and real estate (not your principal home)
- *Vehicles, boats, caravans, and motorbikes
- *Shares, managed funds, ETFs, and other securities
- *Superannuation — only if you have reached Age Pension age (67)
- *Bank accounts, term deposits, and cash
- *Business assets (if you own a business)
- *Personal property — furniture, jewellery, art, collectibles
- *Loans you have made to other people
- *Life insurance surrender value
- *Income streams (assessed under specific rules)
- *Cryptocurrency and digital assets
What is excluded from the assets test?
- *Your principal home (the home you live in) — regardless of its value
- *Funeral bonds up to $15,000 (single) or $30,000 (couple combined)
- *Certain aids and equipment for disability
- *Accommodation bonds paid to aged care facilities (subject to rules)
- *Pre-paid funeral expenses with a registered funeral director
- *Special disability trusts (up to certain limits)
- *Compensation received for personal injury that is deposited in a special account
How the income and assets tests interact
For pension-type payments (Age Pension, DSP, Carer Payment), Centrelink applies both an income test and an assets test. You receive the lower of the two amounts. If either test reduces your payment to zero, you receive nothing.
For allowance-type payments (JobSeeker, Youth Allowance, Austudy), the assets test is a hard cut-off — if you are under the limit, the income test determines your payment amount. If you are over the limit, you are ineligible regardless of income.
Financial assets are also subject to deeming, which estimates income from those assets for the income test. Use our deeming rates calculator to see how this works.
Use our calculators to check your eligibility
This tool provides general information and estimates only based on publicly available data from Services Australia and the Department of Social Services. It does not constitute financial, tax, or legal advice and should not be relied upon as such. Results may not reflect your specific circumstances. Always verify with Services Australia before making decisions about your entitlements.
Sources: Services Australia, Department of Social Services. Thresholds are current as of 20 March 2026 and apply for the 2025-26 financial year.
Notes: Asset values are assessed at market value (what you could sell them for). Thresholds are indexed on 1 July each year. Part pension cut-off amounts depend on the maximum payment rate, which is indexed on 20 March and 20 September.