Centrelink Payment Increases From September 2026: New Rates Explained

From 20 September 2026:

• Single pensioners: increase of $36.80 per fortnight, bringing the maximum rate to $1,237.70
• Couples (combined): increase of $55.60 per fortnight, bringing the maximum combined rate to $1,866.00, or $933.00 per person
• Non-resident single pensioners: increase of $5.00 per fortnight
• Non-resident partnered pensioners: increase of $1.70 per fortnight, each

These are the maximum rates for a full pension. Whether you receive the full amount depends on your income and assets test results, which are assessed separately from this indexation update.

JobSeeker rates also rise from 20 September 2026:

• Single, no children: increase of $16.20 per fortnight, to $833.70
• Single, with dependent children: increase of $17.30 per fortnight, to $892.80
• Partnered (each): increase of $14.80 per fortnight, to $763.00

Note that these updated figures reflect the September indexation increase; the previous 20 March 2026 rate table published by Services Australia showed a maximum fortnightly rate of $808.70 for a single person with no children, which may differ slightly from the pre-indexation figures used in the September update due to how base rates and supplements are itemised. If you want to confirm the exact rate that applies to your specific circumstances, use Services Australia's payment finder or your Centrelink online account, since JobSeeker rates also vary by age, partner status, and mutual obligation exemptions.

• Parenting Payment Single: increase of $20.90 per fortnight, to $1,087.20
• Parenting Payment Partnered: increase of $14.80 per fortnight, to $763.00

• ABSTUDY (single, aged 22+, no dependent children): increase of $16.20 per fortnight, to $833.70
• Youth Allowance (aged 18–24): increase of $20.90 per fortnight, to $1,087.20

Maximum Rent Assistance rates also increase from 20 September 2026:

Rent Assistance is only paid on top of an existing qualifying payment, calculated using your actual rent — the maximum amount only applies once your rent is high enough to reach it.

Deeming rates are used by Centrelink to estimate the income your financial assets are assumed to generate, regardless of what they actually earn — this matters for the income test applied to the Age Pension and several other payments. From 20 September 2026:

• Lower deeming rate: increases from 1.25% to 1.75%, applying to financial assets up to $66,800 for singles and $110,600 for couples (combined)
• Upper deeming rate: increases from 3.25% to 3.75%, applying to financial assets above those thresholds

A higher deemed income can reduce the amount of income-tested payment you receive, even if your actual bank interest or investment returns haven't changed. If you're close to an income test cut-off, it's worth checking whether this increase affects your payment.

Centrelink indexes most of these payments twice a year — on 20 March and 20 September — in line with movements in the Consumer Price Index and other benchmarks. You don't need to apply for the increase or contact Centrelink; if you're already receiving one of these payments, the new rate is applied to your first payment on or after the effective date. The main reason to actively check your payment after an indexation date is to confirm it has updated correctly, particularly if your circumstances (such as rent, income, or assets) have also changed around the same time.

Because deeming rates went up alongside the base payment increases, some pensioners with substantial savings or investments could see their deemed income rise by more than the base rate increase offsets. This is most relevant to part-pensioners whose payment is calculated using the income test rather than the assets test, since a higher deemed income directly reduces the assessable payment. If your pension is calculated primarily under the assets test rather than the income test, the deeming rate change is less relevant to you.

1. Check your myGov Centrelink account after 20 September 2026 to confirm your new payment rate matches the figures relevant to your situation above.
2. If you hold savings, investments or superannuation in the deeming calculation and are on an income-tested payment, review whether the deeming rate increase changes your payment.
3. If your rent has increased since you last reported it to Centrelink, update this at the same time — the Rent Assistance increase only applies fully if your recorded rent is current.

Do I need to do anything to get the September 2026 increase? No. If you already receive one of these payments, the increase is applied automatically from your first payment on or after 20 September 2026.

Why did my JobSeeker payment not go up by exactly $16.20? Your total payment includes other components beyond the base rate, such as supplements, and may be affected by income testing, so the increase you see may differ slightly from the headline figure. Check your Centrelink online account for a full breakdown.

Does the deeming rate increase reduce everyone's pension? Only pensioners assessed under the income test, and specifically those with deemed financial assets, are affected. If your payment is determined by the assets test rather than the income test, the deeming rate change won't directly change your payment amount.