Here's which Centrelink payments are going up and by how much
Millions of Australians receiving Centrelink payments will see changes to their fortnightly payment rates.
20 August 2026
SBS News.
Pension, JobSeeker, Youth Allowance, Parenting Payment, ABSTUDY and Rent Assistance payment rates will rise due to indexation.
The government has also lifted social security deeming rates.
More than 5.3 million Australians will receive higher social security payments within weeks under the latest round of indexation.
The new pay boosts will take effect from 20 September, increasing the rates of the pension, JobSeeker, Youth Allowance, Parenting Payment, ABSTUDY, and Rent Assistance payments.
"An extra $4 billion of cost-of-living relief will begin to flow to over 5.3 million Australians," Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek said.
"Whether it's paying the rent, putting food on the table or covering everyday bills, this extra support will help Australians on income support make ends meet.
"We'll continue to make sure the system is there to support those who need it most, ensuring that everyone can make ends meet and no one gets left behind."
However, Cassandra Goldie, CEO of the Australian Council of Social Service, said that "while every extra dollar counts", routine indexation was not enough to lift people out of poverty and deprivation.
"People receiving JobSeeker are struggling to afford three meals a day and keep a roof over their heads," she said in a statement provided to SBS News.
"The government must deliver a significant real increase to JobSeeker, Youth Allowance, Parenting Payment and related supports so that people don't have to go without the essentials."
Social security payments are generally indexed twice a year to maintain their value and match changes in the cost of living and average wages. Here is how much each payment will increase by.
How much the age pension is increasing
The maximum rates for age pension will be lifted by $36.80 to $1,237.70 a fortnight for single pensioners. Couples will receive a $55.60 increase to their combined fortnightly payment, bringing it to $1,866.00.
Pay rates for non-resident single pensioners will increase by $5 a fortnight, while partnered non-resident pensions will increase by $1.70 a fortnight each.
What JobSeeker recipients will receive
For singles without children who receive JobSeeker payments, the highest rate increases by $16.20 to $833.70 every two weeks. For singles with dependent children, the rate will increase by $17.30 to $892.80.
The rate for couples will rise by $14.80 per person, bringing the fortnightly payment to $763 each.
Changes to parenting payment rates
Parenting payment recipients will also see an increase, with maximum rates rising by $20.90 to $1,087.20 fortnightly for singles and by $14.80 to $763 for partnered recipients.
Rent assistance to increase
One million renters will also receive increased Commonwealth Rent Assistance rates.
The maximum rent assistance will increase by $4.40 per fortnight for singles without children, bringing it to $223.80. Singles with one or two children will see a $5.18 rise to $211, while those with three or more children will get a $5.88 boost to $297.36.
The maximum payment for couples without children will increase by $4.20 to a combined rate of $211.
For couples with one or two children, the increase is $5.18, bringing the combined total to $263.06. For those with three or more children, the increase is $5.88, bringing the total to $297.36.
Youth Allowance payments are also rising
For those aged 18 to 24, youth allowance will increase by $20.90 to $1,087.20 from 20 September.
ABSTUDY rates to increase
Single Australians aged 22 or over receiving ABSTUDY with no dependent children will see their fortnightly payment rise by $16.20, bringing it to $833.70. Those with dependent children will see a $17.30 increase, taking their fortnightly payment to $892.80.
The payment for those aged 55 and above without dependent children will increase by $17.30, bringing it to $899.80.
For people aged 22 or older who are partnered, the ABSTUDY payment will increase by $14.80 to $763, whether or not they have children.
What else will change?
Alongside these indexation increases, the government has lifted social security deeming rates.
Deemed rates are used to calculate income from financial assets and to assess eligibility for government payments.
From 20 September, the deeming rate will increase from 1.25 per cent to 1.75 pe
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