Parenting Payment Guide — Single vs Partnered
Everything you need to know about Parenting Payment in Australia — the difference between single and partnered rates, income tests, when the payment stops, and how to apply.
General information and estimates only — not financial, tax, or legal advice. Always verify with Services Australia.
Step 1.Single vs Partnered — Which Do You Get
Parenting Payment comes in two forms with very different rates and conditions. Parenting Payment Single (PPS) is for single parents and is one of the more generous Centrelink payments at approximately $987.70 per fortnight (including supplements). Parenting Payment Partnered (PPP) pays approximately $632.80 per fortnight. The gap reflects the fact that single parents do not have a partner's income to rely on. You receive PPS if you are the principal carer of a child under 14 and you are single. You receive PPP if you are the principal carer of a child under 6 and you have a partner. Note the different age cut-offs: PPS continues until your youngest child turns 14, while PPP stops when your youngest turns 6 (at which point you transfer to JobSeeker Payment). If your relationship status changes, your payment type changes too.
Step 2.Income Test for Parenting Payment Single
Parenting Payment Single has a relatively generous income test. You can earn up to $204.60 per fortnight without any reduction to your payment. For income above $204.60, your payment reduces by 40 cents for every dollar. This is a more generous taper rate than JobSeeker (which uses 50 and 60 cent rates). Worked example: if you earn $600 per fortnight gross, the excess over $204.60 is $395.40. Your payment reduces by $158.16 (40% of $395.40). If your maximum PPS rate is $987.70, you receive $829.54 plus your $600 wages, for a total fortnightly income of $1,429.54. The cut-off point where PPS reduces to zero is approximately $2,673 per fortnight for a single parent with one child. This is relatively high, which means many working single parents still receive a partial payment and the associated Health Care Card.
Step 3.Income Test for Parenting Payment Partnered
Parenting Payment Partnered uses the same personal income-free area ($150 per fortnight) and taper rates as JobSeeker — 50 cents in the dollar between $150 and $256, and 60 cents above $256. Additionally, your partner's income is assessed. Your partner has an income-free area of approximately $1,124 per fortnight. Above this, your PPP reduces by 60 cents for every dollar your partner earns. This means that if your partner earns a full-time wage, your PPP may reduce to zero. Worked example: your partner earns $2,000 gross per fortnight. The excess over $1,124 is $876. Your payment reduces by $525.60 (60% of $876). Since the maximum PPP rate is around $632.80, your payment reduces to $107.20 — assuming your own personal income test does not reduce it further.
Step 4.Mutual Obligations and Work Requirements
Parenting Payment Single recipients have no mutual obligations until their youngest child turns 6, at which point part-time obligations begin — you will need to look for work of at least 15 hours per week. When your youngest turns 14, PPS stops and you transfer to JobSeeker with full mutual obligations (though as a principal carer of a child under 16, you still have reduced requirements). Parenting Payment Partnered recipients have participation requirements once their youngest child turns 6 months old, though these are light — usually attending occasional appointments. When your youngest turns 6, PPP stops and you transfer to JobSeeker. If you have a medical condition, caring responsibilities for a disabled child, or experience family violence, you can apply for exemptions from mutual obligations. Talk to Centrelink about your situation.
Step 5.Additional Help for Parents
On top of Parenting Payment, you may be eligible for several other payments. Family Tax Benefit Part A provides additional money based on the number and ages of your children and your family income — up to approximately $6,328 per child per year for children under 13 and $8,224 for those 13-15. Family Tax Benefit Part B is an extra payment for single parents and families with one main income, worth up to approximately $4,397 per year for the youngest child under 5, or $3,069 if the youngest is 5-18. Rent Assistance of up to $188.20 per fortnight is available if you rent. Child Care Subsidy can cover 24-90% of your child care fees depending on your family income. A Parenting Payment recipient will usually also receive a Health Care Card, which gives discounts on prescriptions, utilities, and public transport.
Step 6.How to Apply and What You Need
Apply through myGov linked to Centrelink. You will need: proof of your child's birth or adoption, your identity documents (100 points of ID), your child's identity documents, proof of your relationship status (if claiming single, Centrelink may ask about your living arrangements), bank statements, details of any income and assets, your partner's details and income (if applying for PPP), your Tax File Number, and details of your custody arrangements if relevant. Processing takes 4-8 weeks. If you are separating from a partner and moving to PPS, tell Centrelink immediately — your payment can be reassessed from the date you notify them. If you are experiencing family violence, Centrelink has social workers who can fast-track your claim and connect you with support services. Call the Family and Domestic Violence line on 132 850 and ask for a social worker.
Useful Tools
- Parenting Payment Calculator
- Family Tax Benefit Calculator
- Income Test Calculator
- Rent Assistance Calculator
- Child Care Subsidy Calculator
Resources
- Services Australia — Parenting Payment (servicesaustralia.gov.au)
- Services Australia — Family Tax Benefit (servicesaustralia.gov.au)
- 1800RESPECT — Family Violence Support (1800respect.org.au)