Can I Get Centrelink If I Earn $600 Per Fortnight?
At $600 per fortnight ($300/week or $15,600/year), here is how the income test affects every major Centrelink payment. March 2026 rates.
Your Income
$600/fn
$300/week
Eligible Payments
14
of 14
Cut Off
0
payments at $0
All Payments at $600 Per Fortnight Income
| Payment | Max Rate | You Get | Free Area | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JobSeeker (Single) | $776.80 | $517.40 | $150/fn | Reduced |
| JobSeeker (Single Parent) | $831.00 | $571.60 | $150/fn | Reduced |
| JobSeeker (Partnered, each) | $705.90 | $446.50 | $150/fn | Reduced |
| Youth Allowance (At Home, 18+) | $419.60 | $358.30 | $480/fn | Reduced |
| Youth Allowance (Away From Home) | $610.10 | $548.80 | $480/fn | Reduced |
| Age Pension (Single) | $1,208.80 | $1,010.80 | $204/fn | Reduced |
| Age Pension (Couple, each) | $913.30 | $853.30 | $360/fn | Reduced |
| Parenting Payment Single | $1,054.30 | $900.14 | $215/fn | Reduced |
| Parenting Payment Partnered | $638.10 | $378.70 | $150/fn | Reduced |
| Disability Support Pension (Single) | $1,208.80 | $1,010.80 | $204/fn | Reduced |
| Disability Support Pension (Couple, each) | $913.30 | $853.30 | $360/fn | Reduced |
| Carer Payment (Single) | $1,208.80 | $1,010.80 | $204/fn | Reduced |
| Carer Payment (Couple, each) | $913.30 | $853.30 | $360/fn | Reduced |
| Austudy (Single) | $776.80 | $517.40 | $150/fn | Reduced |
Payments You Can Still Get
- JobSeeker (Single)$517.40/fn (reduced)
- JobSeeker (Single Parent)$571.60/fn (reduced)
- JobSeeker (Partnered, each)$446.50/fn (reduced)
- Youth Allowance (At Home, 18+)$358.30/fn (reduced)
- Youth Allowance (Away From Home)$548.80/fn (reduced)
- Age Pension (Single)$1,010.80/fn (reduced)
- Age Pension (Couple, each)$853.30/fn (reduced)
- Parenting Payment Single$900.14/fn (reduced)
- Parenting Payment Partnered$378.70/fn (reduced)
- Disability Support Pension (Single)$1,010.80/fn (reduced)
- Disability Support Pension (Couple, each)$853.30/fn (reduced)
- Carer Payment (Single)$1,010.80/fn (reduced)
- Carer Payment (Couple, each)$853.30/fn (reduced)
- Austudy (Single)$517.40/fn (reduced)
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.