Centrelink payments were indexed on 20 March 2026. Find out exactly how much each payment increased — Age Pension, JobSeeker, DSP, Carer Payment and more.
Centrelink payments were indexed on 20 March 2026, with most income support payments increasing to reflect changes in the cost of living. Around 5 million Australians received a boost to their fortnightly payments. Here is a complete breakdown of the new rates.
Why Do Centrelink Payments Increase?
Most Centrelink payments are indexed twice a year — on 20 March and 20 September. Indexation adjusts payment rates to keep pace with increases in the cost of living. The indexation method varies by payment type:
- Pension payments (Age Pension, DSP, Carer Payment): Indexed to the higher of CPI, MTAWE (Male Total Average Weekly Earnings), or PBLCI (Pensioner and Beneficiary Living Cost Index)
- Allowance payments (JobSeeker, Youth Allowance): Indexed to CPI only
- Family payments (FTB, Parenting Payment): Indexed to CPI
New Rates from 20 March 2026
Age Pension
| Situation | Previous rate | New rate (20 Mar 2026) | Increase |
|---|
| Single | $1,178.70/fn | $1,200.90/fn | +$22.20/fn |
| Couple (each) | $888.50/fn | $905.20/fn | +$16.70/fn |
| Couple (combined) | $1,777.00/fn | $1,810.40/fn | +$33.40/fn |
Disability Support Pension (DSP)
| Situation | Previous rate | New rate (20 Mar 2026) | Increase |
|---|
| Single (21+) | $1,178.70/fn | $1,200.90/fn | +$22.20/fn |
| Couple (each) | $888.50/fn | $905.20/fn | +$16.70/fn |
Carer Payment
| Situation | Previous rate | New rate (20 Mar 2026) | Increase |
|---|
| Single carer | $1,178.70/fn | $1,200.90/fn | +$22.20/fn |
| Partnered carer (each) | $888.50/fn | $905.20/fn | +$16.70/fn |
JobSeeker Payment
| Situation | Previous rate | New rate (20 Mar 2026) | Increase |
|---|
| Single, no children | $762.70/fn | $808.70/fn | +$46.00/fn |
| Single, with children / 55+ | $816.90/fn | $866.00/fn | +$49.10/fn |
| Partnered (each) | $698.30/fn | $740.60/fn | +$42.30/fn |
Parenting Payment
| Situation | Previous rate | New rate (20 Mar 2026) | Increase |
|---|
| Single parent | $980.60/fn | $1,000.80/fn | +$20.20/fn |
| Partnered parent | $698.30/fn | $740.60/fn | +$42.30/fn |
Rent Assistance
| Situation | Previous rate | New rate (20 Mar 2026) | Increase |
|---|
| Single, no children (max) | $204.40/fn | $211.20/fn | +$6.80/fn |
| Couple, no children (max) | $192.80/fn | $199.00/fn | +$6.20/fn |
Income and Assets Test Threshold Changes
Along with payment rate increases, the income and assets test thresholds also increased from 20 March 2026:
- Age Pension income free area: $204/fn → $218/fn (single)
- Age Pension assets threshold (homeowner single): $301,750 → $321,500
- JobSeeker income free area: unchanged at $150/fn
When Is the Next Increase?
The next indexation date for most Centrelink payments is 20 September 2026. Youth Allowance, Austudy and ABSTUDY are indexed on 1 January 2027.
For the latest rates, see our complete payment rates guide.