The twice-yearly indexation of Age Pension payment rates and other allowances took effect on 20 September 2019. We help you keep track of your entitlements.
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Age Pension
Maximum fortnightly Age Pension payment rates
Previous Current Increase
Single Base $843.60 $850.40 $6.80
Supplement $68.50 $68.90 $0.40
Energy Supplement $14.10 $14.10 —
Total $926.20 $933.40 $7.20
Couple (each) Base $635.90 $641 $5.10
Supplement $51.60 $51.90 $0.30
Energy Supplement $10.60 $10.60 —
Total $698.10 $703.50 $5.40
The Pension Supplement is a fortnightly income support payment to help eligible recipients meet the costs of daily household and living expenses.
Pension Supplement* basic amount
Previous Current Increase
Single $23.80 $23.90 $0.10
Couple separated $23.80 $23.90 $0.10
Couple (each) $19.60 $19.70 $0.10
Pension Supplement# minimum amount
Previous Current Increase
Single $36.70 $37 $0.30
Couple separated $36.70 $37.00 $0.30
Couple (each) $27.70 $27.90 $0.20
* Pension Supplement basic is for those receiving a pension while overseas.
# Pension Supplement minimum is for those paid a pension under the transitional rules.
Income and asset test changes
Centrelink’s income and asset test limits also changed on 20 September.
Income test limits for Age Pensions
|
Situation |
For full pension/allowance (per fortnight) |
For part pension (pf) From 20 September 2019 |
|
Single |
Up to $172 |
Less than $2040.80 |
|
Couple (combined) |
Up to $304 |
Less than $3122.00 |
|
Illness separated (couple combined) |
Up to $304 |
Less than $4041.60 |
Asset test limits for full Age Pensions
|
Situation |
Homeowners |
Non-homeowners |
|
Single |
$263,250 |
$473,750 |
|
Couple (combined) |
$394,500 |
$605,000 |
|
Illness separated (couple combined) |
$394,500 |
$605,000 |
Asset test limits for part Age Pensions
|
Situation |
Homeowners |
Non-homeowners |
|
Single |
$574,500 |
$785,000 |
|
Couple (combined) |
$863,500 |
$1,074,000 |
|
Illness separated (couple combined) |
$1,017,000 |
$1,227,500 |
Low Income Health Care Card
To qualify for a Low Income Health Care Card your eight-week income must be less than the amount that applies to your circumstance on the day you lodge your claim, i.e. you cannot have earned more than the income limit in the previous eight weeks.
Qualifying income limits
|
Status |
Weekly income |
Eight-week period |
|
Single, no children |
$564 |
$4512 |
|
Couple, no children |
$974 |
$7792 |
There is no asset test for the card, but it is subject to a six-monthly renewal.
Once you have been granted a Low Income Health Care Card, your weekly income must not exceed the limits detailed below. If you exceed the limit, you lose your entitlement to use the card.
Retaining income limits
|
Status |
Weekly income |
Eight-week period |
|
Single, no children |
$705 |
$5640 |
|
Couple, no children |
$1217.50 |
$9740 |
Rent assistance
Rent assistance is paid to those who rent privately and receive an income support payment. Those who rent from a housing authority are not eligible.
Rent Assistance rates if you do not have dependent children
|
Family situation |
Maximum payment per fortnight |
Maximum payment is paid if your fortnightly rent is more than |
No payment if your fortnightly rent is less than |
|
Single |
$138 |
$307.20 |
$123.20 |
|
Single, sharer |
$92 |
$245.87 |
$123.20 |
|
Couple |
$130 |
$372.73 |
$199.40 |
|
One of a couple who are separated due to illness |
$138 |
$307.20 |
$123.20 |
|
One of a couple, temporarily separated |
$130 |
$296.53 |
$123.20 |
Newstart rates
Newstart Allowance rates and thresholds were changed on 20 September.
Newstart Allowance payment rates
|
Family situation |
Payment rate (per fortnight) |
|
Single, 60 or over, after nine months |
$604.70 |
|
Partnered, each |
$504.70 |
Under the income test applied to the Newstart Allowance, you can earn up to $104 per fortnight pre tax, before your payment is affected.
For income levels above $104 but less than $254 per fortnight, your payment will be reduced by 50 cents for every dollar for which you exceed the threshold. For income above $254 per fortnight your payment reduces by 60 cents until you reach the cut-off threshold.
Newstart Allowance thresholds
|
Family situation |
Payment cut-off threshold |
|
Single, 22 or over, no children |
$1075.34 |
|
Single, 22 or over, with children |
$1152.67 |
|
Single, 60 or over, after nine months |
$1163.00 |
|
Partnered, each |
$983.34 |
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