Compare Centrelink Payment Rates 2026
All current Centrelink payment rates in one place, effective from 20 March 2026. Compare the maximum fortnightly rates for every payment to understand your options.
All Centrelink Payment Rates — March 2026
| Payment | Type | Single (max/fn) | Couple each (max/fn) | Annual (single) | Income free area | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Age Pension | pension | $1200.90 | $905.20 | $31,223 | $218/fn | View → |
| JobSeeker Payment | jobseeker | $866.00 | — | $22,516 | $150/fn | View → |
| Disability Support Pension | carer | $1200.90 | $905.20 | $31,223 | $218/fn | View → |
| Family Tax Benefit | family | $222.04 | — | $5,773 | — | View → |
| Youth Allowance | student | $762.70 | — | $19,830 | $480/fn | View → |
| Carer Payment | carer | $1200.90 | — | $31,223 | $218/fn | View → |
| Rent Assistance | housing | $211.20 | — | $5,491 | — | View → |
| Parenting Payment | family | $1000.80 | — | $26,021 | $218/fn | View → |
| Carer Allowance | carer | $153.50 | — | $3,991 | — | View → |
| Austudy | student | $808.70 | — | $21,026 | $480/fn | View → |
Rates effective 20 March 2026. Maximum rates shown — your actual payment depends on income and assets tests. All amounts in AUD.
Pension-Rate Payments Compared
The Age Pension, Disability Support Pension (DSP) and Carer Payment all pay at the same rate — $1,200.90 per fortnight for singles from 20 March 2026. The key differences are in the eligibility criteria, not the payment amount.
Age Pension
Income support for Australians aged 67 and over who meet residency and means tests.
Full guide →Disability Support Pension
Income support for Australians with a permanent disability that prevents them from working.
Full guide →Carer Payment
Income support for people who provide constant care to someone with a severe disability or illness.
Full guide →Allowance-Rate Payments Compared
JobSeeker, Youth Allowance and Parenting Payment (partnered) pay at lower rates than pension payments. They are indexed to CPI only, while pension payments are indexed to the higher of CPI, MTAWE or PBLCI.
| Payment | Who is it for? | Rate (single, no children) | Key condition |
|---|---|---|---|
| JobSeeker | Unemployed, aged 22–66 | $808.70/fn | Must be looking for work |
| Youth Allowance | Students/job seekers, 16–24 | $762.70/fn (away from home) | Studying, apprenticeship or job seeking |
| Parenting Payment (single) | Single parents, child under 8 | $1,000.80/fn | Principal carer of child under 8 |
| Parenting Payment (partnered) | Partnered parents, child under 6 | $698.30/fn | Principal carer of child under 6 |
Common Questions About Centrelink Payment Rates
Which Centrelink payment pays the most?
The Age Pension, Disability Support Pension and Carer Payment all pay the same maximum rate — $1,200.90 per fortnight for singles from 20 March 2026. Parenting Payment for single parents pays $1,000.80/fn. JobSeeker pays $808.70/fn for singles with no children.
Can I receive more than one Centrelink payment?
You can only receive one income support payment at a time (e.g., Age Pension, JobSeeker, DSP). However, you may be able to receive supplementary payments on top of your income support payment, such as Rent Assistance, Carer Allowance, Family Tax Benefit, and the Pension Supplement.
How often are Centrelink rates updated?
Most Centrelink payments are indexed twice a year — on 20 March and 20 September. Youth Allowance, Austudy and ABSTUDY are indexed on 1 January each year. Family Tax Benefit rates are updated on 1 July each year.
What is the difference between pension and allowance rates?
Pension-rate payments (Age Pension, DSP, Carer Payment) are indexed to the higher of CPI, MTAWE or PBLCI, which generally results in larger increases. Allowance-rate payments (JobSeeker, Youth Allowance) are indexed to CPI only. This means pension payments have grown faster than allowance payments over time.
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