Rent Assistance Calculator
Calculate your Commonwealth Rent Assistance (CRA) entitlement.
About Commonwealth Rent Assistance
Commonwealth Rent Assistance (CRA) helps with rental costs if you receive certain Centrelink payments and pay rent above the minimum threshold.
Current Rates (2024)
Maximum Fortnightly Rates
Singles
- No children: $157.20
- With children: $186.96
Couples (Combined)
- No children: $148.40
- With children: $186.96
Sharers
- Two-thirds of the single rate: $104.80
Rent Thresholds
You must pay more than these amounts before CRA is payable:
Singles
- No children: $134.40 per fortnight
- With children: $178.26 per fortnight
Couples (Combined)
- No children: $224.60 per fortnight
- With children: $178.26 per fortnight
Sharers
- $134.40 per fortnight
How CRA is Calculated
- Your rent minus minimum threshold
- 75% of this amount (up to maximum rate)
- Result is your CRA payment
Example Calculation
- Rent: $300 per fortnight
- Threshold: $134.40 (single, no children)
- Difference: $300 - $134.40 = $165.60
- 75% of difference: $165.60 × 0.75 = $124.20
- CRA payment: $124.20 (within maximum of $157.20)
Calculator (Coming Soon)
Interactive calculator under development. Current options:
- Services Australia calculator: Rent Assistance Estimator
- Phone: 132 850
- myGov account: Check current entitlements
Eligibility Requirements
Qualifying Payments
CRA is available if you receive:
- JobSeeker Payment
- Youth Allowance
- Austudy
- ABSTUDY Living Allowance
- Age Pension
- Disability Support Pension
- Carer Payment
- Parenting Payment
- Family Tax Benefit Part A (above base rate)
Rental Requirements
- Pay rent for your principal home
- Rent must be to a private landlord or community housing
- Not paying rent to Centrelink, yourself, or partner
Excluded Situations
- Government housing (public housing)
- Rent to family members
- Board and lodging arrangements
- Caravan park site fees (some exceptions)
Special Circumstances
Temporary Accommodation
CRA may be payable for up to 13 weeks if staying in:
- Hostels
- Boarding houses
- Hotels/motels (if homeless)
Illness Separated Couples
If living apart due to illness, both partners may receive CRA.
Sharers
If you share accommodation, you may receive two-thirds of the normal rate.
What Counts as Rent
Included
- Weekly/fortnightly rent payments
- Site fees for caravan parks (in some cases)
- Board payments (accommodation portion only)
Not Included
- Mortgage payments
- Council rates
- Water and electricity
- Meals (if paying board)
- Services like cleaning
Getting Help
Services Australia
- General enquiries: 132 850
- myGov online account
- Local service center
Tenancy Advice
- Tenants’ union in your state
- Community legal centers
- Housing services
Rates current as of December 2024. Contact Services Australia for the most current information.