January 2026 indexation: new Centrelink rates
On 1 January 2026, the following payments were re-indexed. Measure: CPI.
| Payment | Previous | New | Increase | Increase % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Youth Allowance — 18 or over, away from home, maximum basic rate (per fortnight) | $663.30 | $677.20 | $13.90 | +2.10% |
| Austudy — Single, no children, maximum basic rate (per fortnight) | $663.30 | $677.20 | $13.90 | +2.10% |
| Carer Allowance (per fortnight) | $159.30 | $162.60 | $3.30 | +2.07% |
Every payment on 1 January 2026
| Payment | Maximum a fortnight, incl. supplements | Basic rate | Before 1 January 2026 | Change | Change % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Age PensionSingle | $1,178.70 | $1,079.70 | Not indexed on 1 January 2026 | ||
| JobSeeker PaymentSingle, no dependent children | $802.40 | $793.60 | Not indexed on 1 January 2026 | ||
| Youth Allowance (job seekers)18 or over, living away from home | $684.20 | $677.20 | $670.30 | +$13.90 | +2.07% |
| Youth Allowance (students and apprentices)18 or over, living away from home | $684.20 | $677.20 | $670.30 | +$13.90 | +2.07% |
| AustudySingle, no children | $684.20 | $677.20 | $670.30 | +$13.90 | +2.07% |
| ABSTUDY Living AllowanceAged 22 or over — Independent — Single, no children | $802.40 | $793.60 | Not indexed on 1 January 2026 | ||
| Parenting Payment (single)Single principal carer | $1,046.70 | $998.20 | Not indexed on 1 January 2026 | ||
| Parenting Payment (partnered)Partnered (each) | $734.40 | $726.50 | Not indexed on 1 January 2026 | ||
| Disability Support PensionSingle | $1,178.70 | $1,079.70 | Not indexed on 1 January 2026 | ||
| Disability Support Pension (under 21)Single, under 18 — Dependent (at home) | $594.40 | $581.50 | $582.30 | +$12.10 | +2.08% |
| Carer PaymentSingle | $1,178.70 | $1,079.70 | Not indexed on 1 January 2026 | ||
| Carer AllowancePer care receiver | $162.60 | — | $159.30 | +$3.30 | +2.07% |
| Family Tax Benefit Part AMaximum, aged under 13 | $227.36 | — | Not indexed on 1 January 2026 | ||
| Family Tax Benefit Part BMaximum, youngest child aged under 5 | $193.34 | — | Not indexed on 1 January 2026 | ||
| Commonwealth Rent AssistanceMaximum, single with no children | $215.40 | — | Not indexed on 1 January 2026 | ||
| Energy SupplementSingle pensioner | $14.10 | — | Fixed amount, not indexed | ||
| Pension SupplementMaximum, single | $84.90 | — | Not indexed on 1 January 2026 | ||
| Pensioner Education SupplementFull rate (full-time study) | $62.40 | — | Fixed amount, not indexed | ||
- Youth Allowance (job seekers), Youth Allowance (students and apprentices) and Austudy shared the largest rise in dollars, $13.90, more than any other payment indexed on 1 January 2026.
- Disability Support Pension (under 21), single, under 18 — Dependent (at home), rose the most in percentage terms, 2.08%, from $582.30 to $594.40.
Every change on 1 January 2026
From the 1 January 2026 rates list; per fortnight unless the heading says otherwise.
Youth Allowance (per fortnight)
Students, apprentices and job seekers are paid the same rates in these categories. The basic rate is the maximum basic rate in the DSS list; totals add the Energy Supplement, a fixed amount.
| Situation | Basic rate | Total | Change | Change % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Under 18, living at home | $410.30→$418.90 | $414.20→$422.80 | +$8.60 | +2.08% |
| Under 18, living away from home | $663.30→$677.20 | $670.30→$684.20 | +$13.90 | +2.07% |
| 18 or over, living away from home | $663.30→$677.20 | $670.30→$684.20 | +$13.90 | +2.07% |
| 18 or over, living at home | $472.50→$482.40 | $477.10→$487.00 | +$9.90 | +2.08% |
| Single, with children | $836.60→$854.20 | $845.80→$863.40 | +$17.60 | +2.08% |
| Partnered, no children | $663.30→$677.20 | $670.30→$684.20 | +$13.90 | +2.07% |
| Partnered, with children | $718.10→$733.20 | $725.80→$740.90 | +$15.10 | +2.08% |
| Special rate — Single, living at home | $555.80→$567.50 | $561.50→$573.20 | +$11.70 | +2.08% |
| Special rate — Single, living away from home | $783.30→$799.70 | $791.90→$808.30 | +$16.40 | +2.07% |
| Special rate — Partnered, no children | $718.10→$733.20 | $725.80→$740.90 | +$15.10 | +2.08% |
Austudy (per fortnight)
Totals add the Energy Supplement, a fixed amount.
| Situation | Basic rate | Total | Change | Change % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single, no children | $663.30→$677.20 | $670.30→$684.20 | +$13.90 | +2.07% |
| Single, with children | $836.60→$854.20 | $845.80→$863.40 | +$17.60 | +2.08% |
| Partnered, with children | $718.10→$733.20 | $725.80→$740.90 | +$15.10 | +2.08% |
| Partnered, no children | $663.30→$677.20 | $670.30→$684.20 | +$13.90 | +2.07% |
| Special rate — Single, no children | $783.30→$799.70 | $791.90→$808.30 | +$16.40 | +2.07% |
| Special rate — Partnered, no children | $718.10→$733.20 | $725.80→$740.90 | +$15.10 | +2.08% |
ABSTUDY Living Allowance (per fortnight)
Categories for students aged under 22 and Masters and Doctorate students. The aged 22 or over categories change on 20 March and 20 September.
| Situation | Basic rate | Total | Change | Change % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard — Under 16, tertiary | $42.00→$42.90 | $42.50→$43.40 | +$0.90 | +2.12% |
| Standard — 16 to 17 years | $410.30→$418.90 | $414.20→$422.80 | +$8.60 | +2.08% |
| Standard — 18 to 21 years | $472.50→$482.40 | $477.10→$487.00 | +$9.90 | +2.08% |
| In state care (Foster Care Allowance paid) — Under 16 | $410.30→$418.90 | $414.20→$422.80 | +$8.60 | +2.08% |
| In state care (Foster Care Allowance paid) — 16 to 17 | $410.30→$418.90 | $414.20→$422.80 | +$8.60 | +2.08% |
| In state care (Foster Care Allowance paid) — 18 to 21 | $472.50→$482.40 | $477.10→$487.00 | +$9.90 | +2.08% |
| In state care (no Foster Care Allowance) — Under 16 | $663.30→$677.20 | $670.30→$684.20 | +$13.90 | +2.07% |
| In state care (no Foster Care Allowance) — 16 to 21 | $663.30→$677.20 | $670.30→$684.20 | +$13.90 | +2.07% |
| Away from home — Under 16 | $663.30→$677.20 | $670.30→$684.20 | +$13.90 | +2.07% |
| Away from home — 16 to 21 | $663.30→$677.20 | $670.30→$684.20 | +$13.90 | +2.07% |
| Independent single, no children — Under 16 | $663.30→$677.20 | $670.30→$684.20 | +$13.90 | +2.07% |
| Independent single, no children — 16 to 21 | $663.30→$677.20 | $670.30→$684.20 | +$13.90 | +2.07% |
| Independent single — Under 16, at home | $410.30→$418.90 | $414.20→$422.80 | +$8.60 | +2.08% |
| Independent single — 16 to 17, at home | $410.30→$418.90 | $414.20→$422.80 | +$8.60 | +2.08% |
| Independent single — 18 to 21, at home | $472.50→$482.40 | $477.10→$487.00 | +$9.90 | +2.08% |
| Independent partnered, no children — Under 16 | $663.30→$677.20 | $670.30→$684.20 | +$13.90 | +2.07% |
| Independent partnered, no children — 16 to 21 | $663.30→$677.20 | $670.30→$684.20 | +$13.90 | +2.07% |
| Independent single with dependent child — Under 16 | $836.60→$854.20 | $845.80→$863.40 | +$17.60 | +2.08% |
| Independent single with dependent child — 16 to 21 | $836.60→$854.20 | $845.80→$863.40 | +$17.60 | +2.08% |
| Independent partnered with dependent child — Under 16 | $718.10→$733.20 | $725.80→$740.90 | +$15.10 | +2.08% |
| Independent partnered with dependent child — 16 to 21 | $718.10→$733.20 | $725.80→$740.90 | +$15.10 | +2.08% |
| Masters and Doctorate students | $1,285.40→$1,316.20 | $1,285.40→$1,316.20 | +$30.80 | +2.40% |
Disability Support Pension, aged under 21 with no children (per fortnight)
The basic rate includes the Youth Disability Supplement. Totals add Pharmaceutical Allowance and the Energy Supplement.
| Situation | Basic rate | Total | Change | Change % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single, under 18 — Dependent (at home) | $569.60→$581.50 | $582.30→$594.40 | +$12.10 | +2.08% |
| Single, under 18 — Independent | $822.60→$839.80 | $838.50→$855.90 | +$17.40 | +2.08% |
| Single, 18–20 — Dependent (at home) | $631.80→$645.00 | $645.20→$658.60 | +$13.40 | +2.08% |
| Single, 18–20 — Independent | $822.60→$839.80 | $838.50→$855.90 | +$17.40 | +2.08% |
| Member of a couple | $822.60→$839.80 | $835.10→$852.40 | +$17.30 | +2.07% |
Supplements and allowances (per fortnight)
| Item | Before → after | Change | Change % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carer Allowance (per care receiver) | $159.30→$162.60 | +$3.30 | +2.07% |
| Youth Disability Supplement | $159.30→$162.60 | +$3.30 | +2.07% |
| Pharmaceutical Allowance — Single | $6.80→$7.00 | +$0.20 | +2.94% |
| Pharmaceutical Allowance — Partnered | $3.40→$3.50 | +$0.10 | +2.94% |
| Pharmaceutical Allowance — Illness-separated | $6.80→$7.00 | +$0.20 | +2.94% |
| Double Orphan Pension | $79.90→$81.60 | +$1.70 | +2.13% |
| Mobility Allowance — Standard rate - single or couple | $120.30→$122.80 | +$2.50 | +2.08% |
| Mobility Allowance — Higher rate - single or couple | $168.20→$171.70 | +$3.50 | +2.08% |
Student income tests (per fortnight)
The income free area, the point where the higher taper starts, and the income at which each payment stops.
| Item | Before → after | Change | Change % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Youth Allowance (students), Austudy and ABSTUDY — income free area | $528→$539 | +$11 | +2.08% |
| Youth Allowance (students), Austudy and ABSTUDY — upper income threshold | $633→$646 | +$13 | +2.05% |
| Youth Allowance (students) — Single, under 18, at home | $1,235.84→$1,261.50 | +$25.66 | +2.08% |
| Youth Allowance (students) — Single, 18 and over, at home | $1,340.67→$1,368.50 | +$27.83 | +2.08% |
| Youth Allowance (students) — Single or partnered, away from home | $1,662.67→$1,697.17 | +$34.50 | +2.07% |
| Youth Allowance (students) — Partnered, with dependants | $1,755.17→$1,791.67 | +$36.50 | +2.08% |
| Youth Allowance (students) — Single, with dependants | $1,955.17→$1,995.84 | +$40.67 | +2.08% |
| Youth Allowance (students) — Special rate — Single, living at home | $1,481.34→$1,512.17 | +$30.83 | +2.08% |
| Youth Allowance (students) — Special rate — Single, living away from home | $1,865.34→$1,904.00 | +$38.66 | +2.07% |
| Youth Allowance (students) — Special rate — Partnered, no children | $1,755.17→$1,791.67 | +$36.50 | +2.08% |
| Youth Allowance (job seekers) — Single, under 18, at home | $857.00→$871.34 | +$14.34 | +1.67% |
| Youth Allowance (job seekers) — Single, 18 and over, at home | $961.84→$978.34 | +$16.50 | +1.72% |
| Youth Allowance (job seekers) — Single or partnered, away from home | $1,283.84→$1,307.00 | +$23.16 | +1.80% |
| Youth Allowance (job seekers) — Partnered, with dependants | $1,376.34→$1,401.50 | +$25.16 | +1.83% |
| Youth Allowance (job seekers) — Single, with dependants | $1,576.34→$1,605.67 | +$29.33 | +1.86% |
| Austudy — Single, no children | $1,662.67→$1,697.17 | +$34.50 | +2.07% |
| Austudy — Single, with children | $1,955.17→$1,995.84 | +$40.67 | +2.08% |
| Austudy — Partnered, with children | $1,755.17→$1,791.67 | +$36.50 | +2.08% |
| Austudy — Partnered, no children | $1,662.67→$1,697.17 | +$34.50 | +2.07% |
| Austudy — Special rate — Single, no children | $1,865.34→$1,904.00 | +$38.66 | +2.07% |
| Austudy — Special rate — Partnered, no children | $1,755.17→$1,791.67 | +$36.50 | +2.08% |
| ABSTUDY, under 22 — Single, under 18 years, at home | $1,235.84→$1,261.50 | +$25.66 | +2.08% |
| ABSTUDY, under 22 — Single, 18 and over, at home | $1,340.67→$1,368.50 | +$27.83 | +2.08% |
| ABSTUDY, under 22 — Single or partnered, away from home, no dependants | $1,662.67→$1,697.17 | +$34.50 | +2.07% |
| ABSTUDY, under 22 — Single with dependants | $1,955.17→$1,995.84 | +$40.67 | +2.08% |
| ABSTUDY, under 22 — Partnered with dependants | $1,755.17→$1,791.67 | +$36.50 | +2.08% |
Other thresholds
| Item | Before → after | Change | Change % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Youth Allowance parental income free area (per year) | $65,189→$66,722 | +$1,533 | +2.35% |
| ABSTUDY parental income free area (per year) | $65,189→$66,722 | +$1,533 | +2.35% |
| Student Income Bank maximum balance | $13,200→$13,500 | +$300 | +2.27% |
| Partner income free area — Partner aged under 22, no children (per fortnight) | $1,284→$1,307 | +$23 | +1.79% |
| Partner income free area — Partner aged under 22, with children (per fortnight) | $1,377→$1,402 | +$25 | +1.82% |
| Carer Payment — care receiver income limit (per year) | $140,795→$143,752 | +$2,957 | +2.10% |
| Carer Payment — care receiver lower assets limit | $868,500→$886,750 | +$18,250 | +2.10% |
| Carer Payment — care receiver higher assets limit | $1,290,250→$1,317,250 | +$27,000 | +2.09% |
- Across the 43 fortnightly rates in these tables, the rises ranged from 2.07% (under 18, living away from home, Youth Allowance) to 2.40% (Masters and Doctorate students, ABSTUDY Living Allowance).
Notes
- Energy Supplement amounts are fixed and did not change.
- Most other payments were not indexed on this date. Pensions and allowances change on 20 March and 20 September, and family payments on 1 July.
Payments affected
- Youth Allowance (students and apprentices)
- Youth Allowance (job seekers)
- Austudy
- ABSTUDY Living Allowance
- Disability Support Pension (under 21)
- Carer Allowance
See the full indexation schedule and all four yearly dates.
Rates effective 1 January 2026. Source: DSS / Services Australia. Last checked 23 September 2026.