When does Parenting Payment single go up next?

The rate is indexed on 20 March and 20 September. The next increase is on 20 March 2027. Some income limits are also adjusted on 1 July. This page updates to match.

Parenting Payment (single) rates 2026

Parenting Payment (single) · Single principal carer

$1,037.50/fortnight

Basic rate per fortnight · $26,975 ≈ per year (×26 fortnights)

Basic Rate: $1,037.50
Pension Supplement — Basic amount: $30.70
Pharmaceutical Allowance: $7.00
Energy Supplement: $12.00
Total per fortnight: $1,087.20

$1,087.20 total with Energy Supplement (paid automatically with this payment).

Effective 20 September 2026 · Source: DSS / Services Australia · What changed on 20 September 2026

Parenting Payment (single) is income support for single principal carers of a young child. It gives a single parent a regular fortnightly payment while their youngest child is young. It is paid by Services Australia through Centrelink.

This page shows the Parenting Payment single rate, with its effective date, and how the income test works. The rate is indexed twice a year, and the next change is on 20 March 2027.

Full Parenting Payment (single) rate table

Parenting Payment (single) — rates per fortnight
Variant	Base rate	Supplements	Total /fortnight	≈ per year (×26)
Single principal carer	$1,037.50	$49.70	$1,087.20	$28,267.20

Source: DSS Social Security Payment Parameters, 20 September 2026 — Parenting Payment Single

The table below shows the Parenting Payment single rate. Unlike JobSeeker, the single Parenting Payment is worked out at a higher, pension-style rate. The total is made up of a basic rate plus a Pension Supplement basic amount, a Pharmaceutical Allowance and an Energy Supplement, all paid together automatically.

When a figure is labelled a total, it means those parts added together. The rate is a single rate, because Parenting Payment single is only paid to single principal carers.

What changed on 20 September 2026

Parenting Payment (single): each rate before and after 20 September 2026, per fortnight
Rate	Before 20 September 2026	From 20 September 2026	Change	Change %
Single principal carer	$1,066.30	$1,087.20	+$20.90	+1.96%

On 20 September 2026, Parenting Payment (single), single principal carer, rose $20.90, or 1.96%, from $1,066.30 to $1,087.20.
Parenting Payment (single), single principal carer, pays up to $1,087.20 a fortnight, $150.50 (12.16%) less than the single Age Pension at $1,237.70.

Parenting Payment (single) in 2026

Parenting Payment (single) in 2026: the rate in force from each indexation date (— no change)
Rate	Before	1 January 2026	20 March 2026	1 July 2026	20 September 2026	2026 change
Single principal carer	$1,046.70	—	$1,066.30	—	$1,087.20	+$40.50 (+3.87%)

Parenting Payment (single), single principal carer, rose $40.50 (3.87%) across 2026, from $1,046.70 to $1,087.20: $19.60 on 20 March 2026 and $20.90 on 20 September 2026.

How much Parenting Payment (single) pays

The Parenting Payment single rate is shown in the data block above, with its effective date. It is paid every two weeks and includes the supplements listed in the rate table.

That figure is the maximum before the income test. If you earn income over the free area, your payment is lower. The next increase is on 20 March 2027.

Parenting Payment (single): worked examples
Situation	Income a fortnight	Payment
1 child, no other income	$0	$1,087.20 a fortnight
1 child, with income	$500	$980.24 a fortnight
2 children, with income	$500	$990.08 a fortnight

Assets under the limit. Income is per fortnight. Rent Assistance for families is paid with Family Tax Benefit Part A, so it is not included here.

With $500 a fortnight of income and 1 child, the payment is $980.24, $106.96 less than the maximum.
A second child raises the income free area, so the same income leaves $990.08, $9.84 more than with 1 child.

Parenting Payment (single) income test

How fortnightly income reduces Parenting Payment (single)
Fortnightly income	Effect on your payment
Up to $232.60	No reduction (this is the income free area)
$232.60 and above	Reduces by 40c for each dollar over $232.60

Source: Services Australia, A guide to Australian Government payments (CO029), 20 September 2026 edition — Income test for Parenting Payment (single) (free area plus per-child amount, 40-cent taper)

Income at which Parenting Payment (single) stops
Situation	Payment reduces to nil at
Single, 1 child	$2,950.60 /fortnight

Parenting Payment single has its own income free area, which is higher than the JobSeeker free area. You can earn up to that amount each fortnight before your payment reduces. The free area rises for each additional child you care for, so a parent with more children can earn a little more before their payment is affected.

Above the free area, your payment reduces by 40 cents for each extra dollar of income. This is a gentler taper than JobSeeker, so the payment lasts further up the income scale.

The point at which the payment reduces to zero is shown in the income test table on this page. Different figures apply if you have more than one child or you are over Age Pension age.

Where Parenting Payment (single) stops

Income at which Parenting Payment (single) reaches $0, calculated
Situation	Income free area	Payment reaches $0 at	DSS figure
1 child	$232.60	$2,950.60 a fortnight	Matches the DSS limit
2 children	$257.20	$2,975.20 a fortnight	Not published — calculated
3 children	$281.80	$2,999.80 a fortnight	Not published — calculated

Rounded up to the cent, as DSS rounds its limits.

1 child: the payment reaches $0 at $2,950.60 a fortnight of income, $2,718.00 more than the $232.60 income free area.
That is $1,393.43 higher than JobSeeker's single cut-out of $1,557.17.
Each extra child lifts the income free area, so with 2 children the payment runs to $2,975.20, $24.60 more than with 1 child.

Estimate your Parenting Payment (single)

Your income (per fortnight)

Before tax, per fortnight.

Number of children

Blank counts as 1 child.

Include Energy SupplementPaid automatically with this payment — Services Australia shows it separately from the basic rate.

This is an estimate. Services Australia calculates your actual payment.

Estimated Parenting Payment (single)

$1,087.20per fortnight

≈ per year (×26 fortnights) $28,267.20

Using the maximum rate including the Energy Supplement: $1,087.20 (basic rate $1,037.50).

How this is worked out

free area = $232.60 + $24.60 × (1 − 1) = $232.60reduction = 40c × max(0, income − $232.60) = $0.00payment = max(0, $1,087.20 − $0.00) = $1,087.20

What this means

Parenting Payment single is paid every two weeks. The total already includes a Pension Supplement basic amount, a Pharmaceutical Allowance and an Energy Supplement, so it is higher than the JobSeeker rate a single parent would otherwise get. The Energy Supplement part is frozen and does not rise at indexation.

The income free area is more generous than the JobSeeker free area, and it rises for each extra child you care for. The payment then reduces gently as your income goes up, which lets single parents keep more of their payment while working part time.

Parenting Payment single is a principal carer payment. It is paid to the parent who has the main day-to-day responsibility for the child, and it is available while your youngest child is under the age set by the rules. When your youngest child reaches that age, you may move to another payment such as JobSeeker.

The rate is indexed on 20 March and 20 September. The next increase is on 20 March 2027, and this page updates to match.

Who can get Parenting Payment (single)

Services Australia assesses Parenting Payment single on whether you are a single principal carer, the age of your youngest child, your residence status, and your income and assets. You must be single and have the main care of a young child.

This page reports the rates and the test rules. It does not decide your claim. For the eligibility rules that apply to your own situation, including the child-age limit, check the official Parenting Payment page linked at the top and bottom of this page.

Rates change at indexation. These figures include the 20 September 2026 indexation. See the full indexation schedule and payment dates.

Parenting Payment (single): common questions

How much is Parenting Payment single per fortnight?: The maximum single Parenting Payment is $1,087.20 a fortnight, effective 20 September 2026. It already includes a Pension Supplement basic amount, a Pharmaceutical Allowance and an Energy Supplement. Your own payment can be lower once the income test is applied.
How much can I earn on Parenting Payment single?: Parenting Payment single has a higher income free area than JobSeeker, and it rises for each extra child. Above the free area, your payment reduces by 40 cents in the dollar, which is gentler than JobSeeker. The exact free area and cut-off are in the income test table on this page.
Is Parenting Payment single more than JobSeeker?: Yes. Parenting Payment single is paid at a higher, pension-style rate and has a gentler income test than JobSeeker with children. See our Parenting Payment single versus JobSeeker comparison for the detail.
When does Parenting Payment single go up next?: The rate is indexed on 20 March and 20 September. The next increase is on 20 March 2027. Some income limits are also adjusted on 1 July. This page updates to match.
Is Parenting Payment single taxable?: Yes, Parenting Payment single is taxable income and is included in your tax return. Whether you actually pay tax depends on your total income for the year. You can ask Services Australia to take tax out of your payments.

Estimates and general information only — not financial advice. Check Services Australia for your circumstances.

Rates effective 20 September 2026 · next scheduled indexation 20 March 2027. Source: DSS / Services Australia. Last checked 23 September 2026.