How long is the waiting period with $25,000 in savings?

With $25,000 in savings, the Liquid Assets Waiting Period is 13 weeks for a single person (13 weeks for a couple). This is because your savings exceed the $5,500 threshold (single) by $19,500.

Does Centrelink count savings?

Yes, Centrelink counts savings in two ways: (1) The Liquid Assets Waiting Period — if you have more than $5,500 (single) or $11,000 (couple), you may need to wait before payments start. (2) Deeming — your financial assets are deemed to earn income at 0.25% on the first $60,400 and 2.25% above that. This deemed income is then assessed under the income test.

Can I Get Centrelink With $25,000 in Savings?

Q: Can I get Centrelink with $25,000 in savings?

Yes, you can still get Centrelink with $25,000 in savings. However, you will likely face a Liquid Assets Waiting Period of up to 13 weeks (single) before payments start. Your savings are deemed to earn $2.40/fortnight under the lower deeming rate of 0.25%.

How $25,000 in savings affects your Centrelink eligibility, the Liquid Assets Waiting Period, and deeming rules. March 2026.

YES

You can still get Centrelink with $25,000 in savings

However, you may need to wait 13 weeks (Liquid Assets Waiting Period) before payments start. Your savings are also deemed to earn $2.40/fortnight, which may reduce income-tested payments.

Your Savings

$25,000

Waiting Period

13 wks

single

Deemed Income

$2.40

per fortnight (single)

Eligible Payments

7/8

as single

Liquid Assets Waiting Period (LAWP)

The LAWP is a waiting period before certain payments start. It applies if your liquid assets (savings, shares, term deposits) exceed the threshold.

	Single	Couple
Threshold	$5,500	$11,000
Your savings	$25,000	$25,000
Over threshold	$19,500	$14,000
Waiting period	13 weeks	13 weeks

Calculated as 1 week per $500 over the threshold, maximum 13 weeks. The LAWP applies to JobSeeker, Youth Allowance, Austudy, and similar payments. It does NOT apply to Age Pension, DSP, or Parenting Payment Single.

Deemed Income From $25,000 in Savings

Centrelink assumes (deems) your financial assets earn a set rate of return, regardless of what they actually earn. This deemed income is counted under the income test.

	Single	Couple
Lower rate (0.25%) on first $60,400	$2.40/fn	$2.40/fn
Total deemed income	$2.40/fn	$2.40/fn
Annual deemed income	$62.50/yr	$62.50/yr

Deemed income is assessed under each payment's income test. For example, if your Age Pension income free area is $204/fn and your deemed income is $2.40/fn, your deemed income is within the free area and does not reduce your pension.

Which Payments Can You Get With $25,000 in Savings?

Payment	Single	Couple	Note
JobSeeker Payment	Eligible	Eligible	Liquid Assets Waiting Period applies (13 weeks single)
Youth Allowance	Eligible	Eligible	Liquid Assets Waiting Period applies (13 weeks single)
Age Pension	Eligible	Eligible	Deeming applies: $2.40/fn deemed income (single). Assets test also applies — threshold depends on homeowner status.
Disability Support Pension	Eligible	Eligible	Same assets test as Age Pension. Deeming rates apply to financial assets.
Parenting Payment Single	Eligible	Over limit	Higher assets threshold for PPS. No Liquid Assets Waiting Period for PPS.
Parenting Payment Partnered	Over limit	Eligible	Liquid Assets Waiting Period may apply
Austudy	Eligible	Eligible	Liquid Assets Waiting Period applies
Carer Payment	Eligible	Eligible	Same assets test thresholds as Age Pension. Deeming applies.

Eligibility based on assets test thresholds for homeowners. Non-homeowners have higher thresholds. Other criteria (age, income, etc.) also apply.

Payments You Can Get (Single)

✓JobSeeker Payment
✓Youth Allowance
✓Age Pension
✓Disability Support Pension
✓Parenting Payment Single
✓Austudy
✓Carer Payment

Payments Likely Unavailable (Single Homeowner)

✗Parenting Payment Partnered — assets exceed threshold

Non-homeowners have higher thresholds — you may still qualify if you do not own your home.

Tips for Managing Savings and Centrelink

1.Do NOT spend down savings just to qualify — Centrelink can investigate if you deliberately deprive yourself of assets. Gifting or transferring money before applying may be treated as “deprivation” and the assets are still assessed for 5 years.
2.Prepaid expenses may be exempt — Prepaid funeral expenses (up to certain limits) and accommodation bonds for aged care are not counted as assets. Legitimate prepaid expenses can reduce assessable assets.
3.Super is only counted if you are pension age — If you are under Age Pension age, your superannuation is NOT counted as an asset or deemed. Once you reach pension age, super becomes an assessable financial asset.
4.Apply even with savings — The waiting period runs from the date you apply, so apply as soon as possible. You may also be eligible for a Health Care Card during the waiting period.
5.Your home is not an asset — Your principal residence is excluded from the assets test. Non-homeowners have higher asset thresholds to compensate.

Check how your full financial situation affects your payments

Assets Test Calculator Deeming Rates Calculator

Check Other Savings Amounts

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General information and estimates only — not financial, tax, or legal advice. Always verify with Services Australia.