How Much is Centrelink Payment? - 2025 Complete Rates Guide
🚨 UPDATED: October 1, 2025 | Latest Indexation: October 1, 2025 ✅
🎉 October 1, 2025 Payment Increases Now In Effect! Major increases across all payment types. JobSeeker up by $12.50-$16.20, Age Pension up $29.70 for singles. All rates updated below reflect October 2025 changes.
How Much is Centrelink Payment? Current Rates (Fortnightly)
If you’re wondering “how much is Centrelink payment in 2025?”, you’ve come to the right place. Centrelink payment amounts vary depending on your circumstances, age, and payment type. Below are the current rates for all major Centrelink payments.
JobSeeker Payment
| Recipient Status | Base Rate | Energy Supplement | Total | Increase |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single, no children (22+) | $782.00 | $11.60 | $793.60 | +$12.50 |
| Single, with children | $838.30 | $11.60 | $849.90 | +$13.40 |
| Single, aged 55+ (9+ months) | $838.30 | $11.60 | $849.90 | +$13.40 |
| Single, principal carer | $1,016.40 | $11.30 | $1,027.70 | +$16.20 |
| Partnered (each) | $715.20 | $11.30 | $726.50 | +$11.40 |
Youth Allowance
| Living Situation | Age | Total Payment |
|---|---|---|
| At home | 16-17 | $410.30 |
| At home | 18-21 | $472.50 |
| At home | 22+ | $523.50 |
| Away from home | 16-17 | $603.30 |
| Away from home | 18+ | $663.30 |
| With children | Any | $836.60 |
Supplements and Additional Payments
Age Pension (NEW RATES - September 20, 2025)
| Recipient Status | Total Payment | Increase |
|---|---|---|
| Single | $1,178.70 | +$29.70 |
| Couple (each) | $888.50 | +$22.40 |
| Couple (combined) | $1,777.00 | +$44.80 |
Disability Support Pension (Same as Age Pension)
| Recipient Status | Total Payment | Increase |
|---|---|---|
| Single | $1,178.70 | +$29.70 |
| Couple (each) | $888.50 | +$22.40 |
Rent Assistance (Maximum Rates - Updated September 2025)
| Household Type | Maximum Fortnightly | Increase |
|---|---|---|
| Single, no children | $215.40 | +$3.40 |
| Single, 1-2 children | $184.94 | No change |
| Couple, no children | $148.00 | No change |
| Couple, 1-2 children | $176.76 | No change |
Other Supplements
- Pharmaceutical Allowance: $6.20 (single) / $12.40 (couple)
- Remote Area Allowance: $18.20 (single) / $31.20 (couple)
- Energy Supplement: Included in base payment rates
Income and Assets Tests
JobSeeker Income Test
Income affects your payment as follows:
- $0-$150/fortnight: No reduction
- $150-$250/fortnight: 50¢ reduction per dollar
- Over $250/fortnight: 60¢ reduction per dollar
Youth Allowance Income Test
- $0-$150/fortnight: No reduction
- $150-$250/fortnight: 50¢ per dollar
- Over $250/fortnight: 60¢ per dollar
Assets Test Limits
| Status | Homeowner | Non-homeowner |
|---|---|---|
| Single | $270,000 | $487,000 |
| Couple combined | $405,000 | $622,000 |
Payment Schedule
Key Dates
- Payment Day: Based on your CRN (Customer Reference Number)
- Reporting: Fortnightly for job seekers
- Indexation: March 20 and September 20 each year
Public Holidays
Payments are made on the last business day before public holidays.
Recent Changes
October 2025 - Major Payment Increases ⭐
Effective Date: October 1, 2025
The October 2025 indexation brings significant increases across all Centrelink payment types, aligned with cost of living adjustments and CPI increases.
Key Increases:
- Age Pension (Single): +$29.70 per fortnight → Now $1,178.70
- Age Pension (Couple): +$22.40 each → Now $888.50 each
- JobSeeker (Single, no children): +$12.50 → Now $793.60
- JobSeeker (Single parent): +$16.20 → Now $1,027.70
- Rent Assistance (Single): +$3.40 → Now $215.40
- Disability Support Pension: Same as Age Pension rates
Important Clarification: Despite rumors circulating online, there is NO $1,831 bonus payment or $750 October bonus from Centrelink in October 2025. These are false claims. The only changes are the regular indexation increases listed above.
September 2025
- Regular indexation adjustments took effect September 20, 2025
- Proportional increases to all payment types
July 2025
Living Away From Home Allowance increases:
- Year 1: $120/week (+$42.83)
- Year 2: $90/week (+$51.41)
- Year 3: $45/week (+$20.00)
March 2025
- JobSeeker single rate increased by $3.10/fortnight
- Proportional increases to other payment types
How to Apply
Use Services Australia payment finder
Register and link Centrelink
Complete online application
Upload supporting evidence
Phone or in-person assessment
Payment Calculators
Quick Calculator
Example: Single JobSeeker with part-time work
- Base payment: $789.90/fortnight
- Earnings: $300/fortnight
- Reduction: $150 (free) + $100 × 0.5 + $50 × 0.6 = $80
- Final payment: $789.90 - $80 = $709.90/fortnight
Frequently Asked Questions
How Much is Centrelink Payment?
How much is Centrelink payment for a single person with no children? For JobSeeker Payment, a single person with no children receives $793.60 per fortnight (approximately $397.80 per week). This includes the base rate plus energy supplement.
How much is Centrelink payment if I’m under 22? If you’re under 22, you’ll receive Youth Allowance instead of JobSeeker. The amount depends on your living situation: $472.50 per fortnight if living at home, or $663.30 if living away from home.
How much is Centrelink payment for couples? Each partner in a couple receives $726.50 per fortnight on JobSeeker Payment. This is lower than the single rate because living costs are shared.
Payment Questions
When will payments increase next? Next scheduled indexation is September 20, 2025, based on CPI and wage growth.
Can I work while receiving payments? Yes, you can earn up to $150/fortnight with no reduction to JobSeeker.
How much can my partner earn? Partners can earn up to $994/fortnight before your payment reduces.
Eligibility Questions
What’s the difference between JobSeeker and Youth Allowance? JobSeeker is for people 22+, Youth Allowance for 16-21 (job seekers) or 16-24 (students).
How long can I receive payments? No maximum time limit while you meet eligibility requirements.
Can international students get payments? Generally no, must be Australian resident with specific residency requirements.
How Much is Centrelink Payment in Special Circumstances?
How much is Centrelink payment in crisis situations? Crisis Payment provides immediate financial assistance worth approximately $1,000 (equal to your normal payment rate). This is available for domestic violence, natural disasters, or emergencies.
How much is Centrelink advance payment? Eligible recipients can request up to $500 advance payment, which is repaid through future deductions from your regular payments.
How much is Centrelink payment if I have children? Single parents receive $849.90 per fortnight on JobSeeker, plus Family Tax Benefits. Principal carers receive $1,027.70 per fortnight.
Support Services
Employment Support
- Workforce Australia: Job search assistance
- Disability Employment Services: Specialized support
- Transition to Work: Youth programs
Financial Help
- National Debt Helpline: 1800 007 007
- Financial Counselling: Free service
- MoneySmart: ASIC guidance
Mental Health
- Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636
- Headspace: Youth mental health
- Lifeline: 13 11 14
Contact Information
Centrelink Phone Numbers
- JobSeeker: 132 850
- Youth Allowance: 132 490
- Multilingual Service: 131 202
- TTY: 1800 810 586
Online Services
Tips for Managing Payments
Do’s ✅
- Report income accurately and on time
- Update personal details promptly
- Check all eligible supplements
- Use income bank (students)
- Keep records of all correspondence
Don’ts ❌
- Forget to report partner income
- Miss reporting deadlines
- Ignore Centrelink letters
- Provide incorrect information
- Miss appointments
💰 Calculate Your Exact Payment Now
Want to know your exact payment amount based on your specific situation? Use our Free Centrelink Payment Calculator to get an instant, accurate estimate including:
- All supplements (rent assistance, energy supplement, pharmaceutical allowance)
- Income test calculations with working credit
- Asset test verification
- October 2025 updated rates
Still have questions? Contact Centrelink on 132 850 (JobSeeker) or 132 490 (Youth Allowance) for personalized assistance.
For more information about different payment types, visit our complete payments guide or check our calculators page.