How much rent assistance on $800 rent?

If you pay $800 per fortnight in rent as a single person with no children, your Rent Assistance will be approximately $188.20 per fortnight. The maximum Rent Assistance for a single person is $188.20 per fortnight.

What is the rent threshold for rent assistance?

The minimum rent threshold varies by household type. For a single person with no children, you must pay more than $135.40 per fortnight in rent to receive Rent Assistance. For a couple with no children, the threshold is $219.90 per fortnight (combined rent).

Can I get rent assistance if I pay $800 rent?

Yes, if you pay $800 per fortnight in rent, you can receive Rent Assistance provided you also receive a qualifying Centrelink payment such as JobSeeker, Age Pension, Youth Allowance, or Family Tax Benefit Part A. Your Rent Assistance as a single person would be approximately $188.20 per fortnight.

Rent Assistance on $800 Per Fortnight Rent

Paying $800 per fortnight in rent? See exactly how much Commonwealth Rent Assistance you could receive for each household type, based on March 2026 rates.

Last verified: 20 March 2026

$188.20

Estimated Rent Assistance (single, no children)

Per fortnight, on top of your qualifying Centrelink payment. This is the maximum rate.

Rent Assistance by Household Type

Household	Threshold	Your RA	Max RA
Single, no children	$135.40	$188.20	$188.20
Single, 1-2 children	$174.76	$222.14	$222.14
Single, 3+ children	$174.76	$251.56	$251.56
Couple, no children	$219.90	$177.20	$177.20
Couple, 1-2 children	$243.32	$222.14	$222.14
Couple, 3+ children	$243.32	$251.56	$251.56

Rent Assistance is calculated at 75 cents per dollar of rent above the threshold, up to the maximum rate. Rent amounts are per fortnight.

How Your Rent Assistance Is Calculated (Single)

Your fortnightly rent$800.00

Minus rent threshold- $135.40

Rent above threshold$664.60

Multiplied by 75c per $1x 0.75

Calculated RA$498.45

Capped at maximum$188.20

Your Rent Assistance$188.20

Is $800/Fortnight Rent Affordable?

JobSeeker (single, no children)

105%

$150.90/fn left

Age Pension (single)

66%

$597.00/fn left

Youth Allowance (single, away from home)

129%

$9.00/fn left

DSP (single)

72%

$504.50/fn left

Housing stress is generally defined as spending more than 30% of income on housing costs. Amounts shown include Rent Assistance for a single person. “Left over” is payment + RA minus rent.

Which Centrelink Payments Include Rent Assistance?

Rent Assistance is not a standalone payment. It is paid as a supplement on top of a qualifying Centrelink payment. You must be receiving one of these payments and paying private rent to qualify:

JobSeeker Payment Age Pension Disability Support Pension Carer Payment Parenting Payment Youth Allowance Austudy Family Tax Benefit (Part A)

You cannot receive Rent Assistance if you live in public housing, a government-funded community housing property, or if you pay rent to an immediate family member.

Rent Thresholds and Maximum Rates Summary

Household	Min Rent	Max RA	Max RA at Rent
Single, no children	$135.40	$188.20	$386.33
Single, 1-2 children	$174.76	$222.14	$470.95
Single, 3+ children	$174.76	$251.56	$510.17
Couple, no children	$219.90	$177.20	$456.17
Couple, 1-2 children	$243.32	$222.14	$539.51
Couple, 3+ children	$243.32	$251.56	$578.73

“Max RA at Rent” is the rent amount at which you reach the maximum Rent Assistance. Paying more rent beyond this does not increase your RA.

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

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