Pension Supplement rates 2026
Pension Supplement
Pension Supplement per fortnight
Effective 20 September 2026 · Source: DSS / Services Australia · What changed on 20 September 2026
The Pension Supplement is an extra amount paid with the Age Pension and other pension payments to help with regular bills and medicine. It is added to your pension rather than claimed on its own. It is paid by Services Australia through Centrelink.
This page explains the Pension Supplement, including the maximum, basic and minimum amounts. The Pension Supplement is indexed twice a year, and the next change is on 20 March 2027.
Full Pension Supplement rate table
| Rate | Amount /fortnight |
|---|---|
| Single | $88.20 |
| Partnered — Illness separated, respite care or partner in gaol | $88.20 |
| Partnered (each) | $66.50 |
Source: DSS Social Security Payment Parameters, 20 September 2026 — Pension Supplement — Maximum amount
| Rate | Amount /fortnight |
|---|---|
| Single | $30.70 |
| Partnered — Illness separated, respite care or partner in gaol | $30.70 |
| Partnered (each) | $25.30 |
Source: DSS Social Security Payment Parameters, 20 September 2026 — Pension Supplement — Basic amount
| Rate | Amount /fortnight |
|---|---|
| Single | $47.50 |
| Partnered — Illness separated, respite care or partner in gaol | $47.50 |
| Partnered (each) | $35.80 |
Source: DSS Social Security Payment Parameters, 20 September 2026 — Pension Supplement — Minimum amount
The Pension Supplement has more than one amount, and which one you get depends on your situation. The maximum amount is paid to most pensioners in Australia. The basic amount is a smaller part that continues in some situations, such as when you are overseas long term. The minimum amount is the floor for part-pensioners.
Amounts differ for single people, members of a couple, and people in an illness-separated couple. The rate table shows each amount so you can see how they compare.
What changed on 20 September 2026
| Rate | Before 20 September 2026 | From 20 September 2026 | Change | Change % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maximum amount — Single | $86.50 | $88.20 | +$1.70 | +1.97% |
| Maximum amount — Partnered — Illness separated, respite care or partner in gaol | $86.50 | $88.20 | +$1.70 | +1.97% |
| Maximum amount — Partnered (each) | $65.20 | $66.50 | +$1.30 | +1.99% |
| Basic amount — Single | $30.10 | $30.70 | +$0.60 | +1.99% |
| Basic amount — Partnered — Illness separated, respite care or partner in gaol | $30.10 | $30.70 | +$0.60 | +1.99% |
| Basic amount — Partnered (each) | $24.80 | $25.30 | +$0.50 | +2.02% |
| Minimum amount — Single | $46.60 | $47.50 | +$0.90 | +1.93% |
| Minimum amount — Partnered — Illness separated, respite care or partner in gaol | $46.60 | $47.50 | +$0.90 | +1.93% |
| Minimum amount — Partnered (each) | $35.10 | $35.80 | +$0.70 | +1.99% |
- On 20 September 2026, Pension Supplement, maximum amount — Single, rose $1.70, or 1.97%, from $86.50 to $88.20.
- Across the 9 rates in the table, the rise ranged from 1.93% to 2.02%.
Pension Supplement in 2026
| Rate | Before | 1 January 2026 | 20 March 2026 | 1 July 2026 | 20 September 2026 | 2026 change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maximum amount — Single | $84.90 | — | $86.50 | — | $88.20 | +$3.30 (+3.89%) |
| Maximum amount — Partnered — Illness separated, respite care or partner in gaol | $84.90 | — | $86.50 | — | $88.20 | +$3.30 (+3.89%) |
| Maximum amount — Partnered (each) | $64.00 | — | $65.20 | — | $66.50 | +$2.50 (+3.91%) |
| Basic amount — Single | $29.50 | — | $30.10 | — | $30.70 | +$1.20 (+4.07%) |
| Basic amount — Partnered — Illness separated, respite care or partner in gaol | $29.50 | — | $30.10 | — | $30.70 | +$1.20 (+4.07%) |
| Basic amount — Partnered (each) | $24.30 | — | $24.80 | — | $25.30 | +$1.00 (+4.12%) |
| Minimum amount — Single | $45.60 | — | $46.60 | — | $47.50 | +$1.90 (+4.17%) |
| Minimum amount — Partnered — Illness separated, respite care or partner in gaol | $45.60 | — | $46.60 | — | $47.50 | +$1.90 (+4.17%) |
| Minimum amount — Partnered (each) | $34.40 | — | $35.10 | — | $35.80 | +$1.40 (+4.07%) |
- Pension Supplement, maximum amount — Single, rose $3.30 (3.89%) across 2026, from $84.90 to $88.20: $1.60 on 20 March 2026 and $1.70 on 20 September 2026.
How much Pension Supplement pays
The Pension Supplement amount that applies to you is shown in the rate table above. For most pensioners in Australia, the total pension already includes the maximum Pension Supplement.
The Pension Supplement is included in the pension totals shown on the Age Pension and other pension pages, so you usually do not need to add it yourself. The next increase is on 20 March 2027.
| Situation | Payment |
|---|---|
| Single, maximum amount | $88.20 a fortnight |
| Single, maximum amount, over a year | $2,293.20 a year |
| Couple, maximum amount each | $66.50 a fortnight |
| Single, basic amount | $30.70 a fortnight |
Amounts are per fortnight, paid with a pension. The yearly figure is 26 fortnights.
- The single maximum of $88.20 is $57.50 more than the single basic amount of $30.70.
- A single pensioner's maximum is $21.70 higher than each member of a couple's $66.50.
What this means
The Pension Supplement is paid every two weeks as part of your pension. It rolls several older, smaller add-ons into one supplement to help with everyday costs like phone, power and medicine.
There are three levels. The maximum amount is what most pensioners get. The minimum amount is the smallest the supplement can be while you are still on a part pension, so even people whose pension is reduced by the income or assets test keep at least this much supplement. The basic amount is a lower level that applies in certain situations.
Because the Pension Supplement is built into the pension total, the pension figures on this site already include it. It is shown as a separate line so you can see how the total is made up.
The Pension Supplement is indexed on 20 March and 20 September, along with the pension it is paid with. The next increase is on 20 March 2027, and this page updates to match.
Who can get Pension Supplement
The Pension Supplement is paid to people who receive the Age Pension, Disability Support Pension, Carer Payment and certain other qualifying payments. You do not claim it separately; it is added to your pension.
This page explains how the Pension Supplement works. It does not decide your claim. To see the Pension Supplement that applies to your pension, check that payment's page and the official Services Australia page linked here.
Related
- How much in 2026?The answer and worked examples
- 20 September 2026 indexationEvery payment, old against new
- Payment dates 2026Cycles and public holidays
Pension Supplement: common questions
- How much is the Pension Supplement?
- It depends on your situation and which of the three amounts applies. The maximum amount is paid to most pensioners in Australia, the minimum amount is the floor for part-pensioners, and the basic amount is a lower level for certain situations. The rate table on this page shows each amount.
- Is the Pension Supplement already in my pension?
- Yes. For most pensioners the total pension already includes the maximum Pension Supplement. The pension pages on this site show it as a separate line so you can see how the total is made up.
- What is the difference between the maximum, basic and minimum Pension Supplement?
- The maximum amount is what most pensioners in Australia receive. The minimum amount is the smallest the supplement can be while you remain on a part pension. The basic amount is a lower level that applies in certain situations, such as being overseas long term.
- When does the Pension Supplement go up next?
- The Pension Supplement is indexed on 20 March and 20 September, along with the pension. The next increase is on 20 March 2027. This page updates to match.
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.