Can I Get Centrelink If I Earn $0 Per Fortnight?
At $0 per fortnight ($0/week or $0/year), here is how the income test affects every major Centrelink payment. March 2026 rates.
Your Income
$0/fn
$0/week
Eligible Payments
14
of 14
Cut Off
0
payments at $0
All Payments at $0 Per Fortnight Income
| Payment | Max Rate | You Get | Free Area | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JobSeeker (Single) | $776.80 | $776.80 | $150/fn | Full Rate |
| JobSeeker (Single Parent) | $831.00 | $831.00 | $150/fn | Full Rate |
| JobSeeker (Partnered, each) | $705.90 | $705.90 | $150/fn | Full Rate |
| Youth Allowance (At Home, 18+) | $419.60 | $419.60 | $480/fn | Full Rate |
| Youth Allowance (Away From Home) | $610.10 | $610.10 | $480/fn | Full Rate |
| Age Pension (Single) | $1,208.80 | $1,208.80 | $204/fn | Full Rate |
| Age Pension (Couple, each) | $913.30 | $913.30 | $360/fn | Full Rate |
| Parenting Payment Single | $1,054.30 | $1,054.30 | $215/fn | Full Rate |
| Parenting Payment Partnered | $638.10 | $638.10 | $150/fn | Full Rate |
| Disability Support Pension (Single) | $1,208.80 | $1,208.80 | $204/fn | Full Rate |
| Disability Support Pension (Couple, each) | $913.30 | $913.30 | $360/fn | Full Rate |
| Carer Payment (Single) | $1,208.80 | $1,208.80 | $204/fn | Full Rate |
| Carer Payment (Couple, each) | $913.30 | $913.30 | $360/fn | Full Rate |
| Austudy (Single) | $776.80 | $776.80 | $150/fn | Full Rate |
Payments You Can Still Get
- JobSeeker (Single)$776.80/fn (full rate)
- JobSeeker (Single Parent)$831.00/fn (full rate)
- JobSeeker (Partnered, each)$705.90/fn (full rate)
- Youth Allowance (At Home, 18+)$419.60/fn (full rate)
- Youth Allowance (Away From Home)$610.10/fn (full rate)
- Age Pension (Single)$1,208.80/fn (full rate)
- Age Pension (Couple, each)$913.30/fn (full rate)
- Parenting Payment Single$1,054.30/fn (full rate)
- Parenting Payment Partnered$638.10/fn (full rate)
- Disability Support Pension (Single)$1,208.80/fn (full rate)
- Disability Support Pension (Couple, each)$913.30/fn (full rate)
- Carer Payment (Single)$1,208.80/fn (full rate)
- Carer Payment (Couple, each)$913.30/fn (full rate)
- Austudy (Single)$776.80/fn (full rate)
Tips for Maximising Payments While Working
- 1.Stay under the free area if possible. Each payment has a different free area — earning below it means no reduction at all.
- 2.Use the Work Bonus if on Age Pension or DSP. You can earn an extra $300/fn from employment before it is counted as income.
- 3.Student Income Bank — if receiving Youth Allowance or Austudy as a student, unused income credits accumulate and can offset higher-earning periods.
- 4.Report income correctly — Centrelink assesses fortnightly income. Make sure you report gross employment income (before tax) each reporting period.
Check exactly how income affects your specific payment
Full Income Test CalculatorCheck Other Income Levels
General information and estimates only — not financial, tax, or legal advice. Always verify with Services Australia.