Centrelink Payment Calculator

What is Centrelink Payment?

Estimator for Australian Centrelink income-support payments including JobSeeker, Age Pension, Parenting Payment, and Rent Assistance. Models the tapering income test and assets test that determine your fortnightly payment.

How this calculator works

Choose your payment type, enter your fortnightly income, partner status, dependents, assets and rent. The calculator applies the relevant free area, taper rate, and assets thresholds for that payment, calculates entitlement under both income and assets tests, and uses the lower result (per Services Australia rules). Adds Rent Assistance if applicable.

Income Test Mechanics

Each payment has a 'free area' below which income doesn't reduce payment. JobSeeker singles: $250/fn free area. Age Pension singles: $216/fn. Above the free area, payment reduces by 50¢ per dollar of income (50% taper) up to the upper cut-off where payment hits zero. Couples have higher free areas and shared cut-offs. Earning more rarely makes you worse off — the taper means net income still rises.

Assets Test Mechanics

Above a lower threshold, payments taper by $3/fn per $1,000 of assets (per Services Australia indexation March 2026). Lower thresholds 2026: $321,500 single homeowner, $481,500 single non-homeowner, $481,500 couple homeowner combined. Upper thresholds (where payment reaches zero) ~$704,500 / $946,500 / $1,059,000 respectively. Your home is exempt; everything else is included (super, shares, cars, second homes, investment properties, business assets).

JobSeeker Specifics

For under Age Pension age, looking for work or unable to work due to short-term illness. Single rate $795.20/fn (March 2026). With dependents: $853.40/fn. Mutual obligations apply (job applications, ParentsNext, Workforce Australia activities). Energy Supplement adds $11.20/fn. Waiting periods may apply: liquid assets test waiting period (1-13 weeks), income maintenance period if redundancy received.

Age Pension Specifics

Age 67+ (1 July 2023 onwards). Single rate $1,200.90/fn including supplements. Couple combined $1,810.20/fn. Indexed twice yearly (March/September). Means tested via both income and assets — Services Australia uses whichever gives the LOWER payment. Your principal home is exempt from assets test, but its rental income (if you rent rooms) counts.

Rent Assistance Add-on

Available to most Centrelink recipients renting privately above a threshold rent. Pays 75% of rent above the threshold ($143/fn single 2026), capped at $211.20/fn single (max). Public housing tenants don't qualify. Must lodge a rent certificate or proof of rent (lease, receipts) with Centrelink. RA is automatically added to your base payment.

Common Mistakes

(1) Not reporting income changes within 14 days = potential debt. (2) Forgetting that GIFTING rules apply — gifts above $10,000/year or $30,000 over 5 years count as 'deprived assets' for 5 years. (3) Not declaring income from side gigs (Uber, eBay) — Services Australia data-matches with the ATO. (4) Misunderstanding partnered status — couples are assessed jointly even if finances are separate. (5) Not reporting overseas trips — payments may stop after 6+ weeks abroad.

Updated for the 2025-26 financial year (1 July 2025 to 30 June 2026).

All calculations are performed in your browser — your data never leaves your device. Results are for general guidance only and should not be considered professional financial advice.

Built and maintained by Konstantin Iakovlev. Data sourced from the ATO and official Australian government sources.