Centrelink Payment Increase in 2025: What You Need to Know

Centrelink payments have gone up again in 2025. These increases aim to help Australians manage the rising cost of living.

The most recent updates came into effect on 20 March 2025. They apply to payments like the Age Pension, JobSeeker, Parenting Payment, Disability Support Pension, and Rent Assistance. More changes are expected on 20 September 2025, as part of Centrelink’s regular twice-a-year indexation.

This article breaks down:

• What payments increased
• How much extra people are getting
• Who qualifies
• What else the government is doing to ease pressure on households

Let’s look at the key changes.

March 2025 Centrelink Increases – At a Glance

Every March and September, Centrelink adjusts payment rates based on inflation. In March 2025, most payments increased by a small amount due to low CPI growth.

Here’s a quick overview:

Payment	Single (pf)	Couple (each, pf)	Increase
Age Pension / DSP / Carer	$1,149.00	$866.10	+$4.60 (single)
JobSeeker (no kids, 22+)	$789.90 (incl. Energy)	$715.10	+$3.10 (single)
Parenting Payment (single)	$1,023.50	N/A	+$4.00
Youth Allowance (away from home)	$670.30	N/A	+$24.30
Rent Assistance (single)	$212.00	$199.80 (combined)	+$0.80

Age Pension, Disability Support, and Carer Payments

If you’re on the Age Pension, Carer Payment, or Disability Support Pension, you’ll now receive a little more each fortnight:

• Single: Now $1,149.00 per fortnight (up $4.60)
• Couple (each): Now $866.10 per fortnight (up $3.50)

These amounts include the Pension Supplement and Energy Supplement. The new yearly total for a full single pension is around $29,874.

JobSeeker Payment Updates in 2025

The JobSeeker Payment also rose slightly in March 2025.

Here’s what recipients now get:

Recipient type	Fortnightly rate (incl. Energy Supp.)	Increase
Single, 22+, no children	$789.90	+$3.10
Single, with children	$846.00	+$3.30
Single, 55+ (on payment > 9 months)	$846.00	+$3.30
Single, partial work capacity	$846.00	+$3.30
Partnered (each)	$723.00	+$2.80
Single principal carer (exempt from obligations)	$1,023.50	+$4.00

These amounts include the Energy Supplement. The base payment rose slightly due to CPI changes.

Parenting Payment (Single & Partnered)

The Parenting Payment also got a small boost:

• Single parents: Now receive $1,023.50 per fortnight (up $4.00)
• Partnered parents: Now receive $723.00 per fortnight (up $2.80)

Single parents can now remain on the Parenting Payment until their youngest child turns 14. This change continues from 2023 and helps more parents avoid being pushed onto JobSeeker.

Youth Allowance and Austudy

Student payments were updated earlier in the year — on 1 January 2025 — and will be adjusted again in July.

New fortnightly rates as of January 2025:

Recipient	New rate	Increase
Youth Allowance, 18+, living at home	$477.10	+$17.30
Youth Allowance, living away from home	$670.30	+$24.30
Youth Allowance, with children	$845.80	+$30.60
Austudy (no children)	$670.30	+$24.30
Austudy (with children)	$845.80	+$30.60

ABSTUDY rates are aligned with Youth Allowance and Austudy and increased by similar amounts.

Rent Assistance

Rent Assistance rose slightly on 20 March 2025, following large increases in 2023 and 2024.

Household type	Max Rate (pf)	Increase
Single	$212.00	+$0.80
Single sharer	$141.33	+$0.53
Couple (combined)	$199.80	+$0.80
With 1–2 children	$249.20	+$0.98
With 3+ children	$281.54	+$1.12

Rent thresholds have also increased slightly. For example:

• Singles must pay $149.60+ pf to qualify
• Couples must pay $242.40+ pf (combined)

Updated Income and Asset Limits (March 2025)

Alongside payment increases, the government also lifted the income and asset thresholds that determine eligibility for Centrelink support.

💰 Age Pension Income Test

To qualify for a full Age Pension from 20 March 2025:

• Single: Must earn less than $212 per fortnight
• Couple (combined): Must earn less than $372 per fortnight

Payments reduce by 50 cents for every dollar earned above these amounts.

Maximum income limits to still receive a part pension:

• Single: Up to $2,510 per fortnight (~$65,260/year)
• Couple (combined): Up to $3,836.40 per fortnight (~$99,750/year)

🧠 Keep in mind: The Work Bonus lets pensioners earn an extra $300 per fortnight from employment without it affecting their payments.

🏠 Age Pension Asset Test

To receive the full pension, your assets (not including your home) must be below:

Situation	Homeowner	Non-homeowner
Single	$314,000	$566,000
Couple (combined)	$470,000	$722,000

Upper limits for receiving any pension (i.e., a part pension):

Situation	Homeowner	Non-homeowner
Single	$697,000	$949,000
Couple (combined)	$1,047,500	$1,299,500

Asset limits for JobSeeker, Parenting Payment, and Rent Assistance also increased slightly. You can check exact values on Services Australia.

What’s Coming in September 2025?

The next round of Centrelink increases is due on 20 September 2025.

These updates will depend on:

• Inflation (Consumer Price Index)
• Pensioner and Beneficiary Living Cost Index
• Male Total Average Weekly Earnings (for Age Pension benchmark)

📌 While the March 2025 changes were modest due to low inflation, the September update may be similar unless prices rise more sharply over winter.

The government is expected to announce new payment rates by late August 2025.

Energy Relief & Other Cost-of-Living Help in 2025

The 2025–26 Federal Budget didn’t include a direct cash bonus for Centrelink recipients — but it extended other support programs.

⚡ $150 Off Energy Bills

• Households will get two $75 energy credits in 2025
• Applied directly to your electricity bill — no need to apply
• Available to all households, not just Centrelink recipients

These credits follow last year’s $300 in energy bill relief. Combined, they help reduce pressure from rising utility costs.

🏥 Other Relief in the Budget

The government also rolled out other measures to ease the cost of living:

• Cheaper medicines through expanded 60-day scripts
• Higher Medicare Safety Net thresholds to reduce out-of-pocket costs
• More access to fee-free TAFE and subsidised child care

While these don’t directly boost Centrelink payments, they help low-income Australians save money in other ways.

Frequently Asked Questions About Centrelink Payment Increase

What is the $4,000 Centrelink payment for pensioners?

The $4,000 payment refers to the Centrelink Work Bonus, designed to help age pensioners earn more income without affecting their pension. The bonus increases their Work Bonus income bank by $4,000, allowing them to earn up to this amount before their pension is reduced.

Who is eligible for the $4,000 Work Bonus?

To qualify, individuals must be receiving the Age Pension and still be working. The bonus is automatically added to their Work Bonus balance and can be used to offset income from work, helping them keep more of their pension.

What is the $750 pension supplement?

The $750 supplement is part of the Seniors Economic Security Supplement (SESS). It provides a one-off payment of $260 to individual pensioners and up to $750 for eligible couples. The aim is to support older Australians facing cost-of-living pressures.

What is the $1,500 Centrelink payment?

The $1,500 payment is the Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment, available to people who need to self-isolate, quarantine, or care for someone with COVID-19. It covers a 14-day period and is taxable income.