Commonwealth Rent Assistance rate table 2026
Commonwealth Rent Assistance
Maximum Rent Assistance per fortnight (single, no children)
Effective 20 September 2026 · Source: DSS / Services Australia · What changed on 20 September 2026
Every Commonwealth Rent Assistance variant
| Family situation | Max payment /fortnight | Rent threshold | Rent for max payment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single | $223.80 | $157.80 | $456.20 |
| Single — Sharer | $149.20 | $157.80 | $356.74 |
| Partnered — Illness separated | $223.80 | $157.80 | $456.20 |
| Partnered — Temporarily separated | $211.00 | $157.80 | $439.14 |
| Couple | $211.00 | $255.80 | $537.14 |
Source: DSS Social Security Payment Parameters, 20 September 2026 — Commonwealth Rent Assistance — SSAct
| Family situation | Max payment /fortnight | Rent threshold | Rent for max payment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single — 1 to 2 children | $263.06 | $207.34 | $558.09 |
| Single — 3 or more children | $297.36 | $207.34 | $603.82 |
| Partnered — Illness or temporarily separated — 1 to 2 children | $263.06 | $207.34 | $558.09 |
| Partnered — Illness or temporarily separated — 3 or more children | $297.36 | $207.34 | $603.82 |
| Couple — 1 to 2 children | $263.06 | $306.60 | $657.35 |
| Couple — 3 or more children | $297.36 | $306.60 | $703.08 |
Source: DSS Social Security Payment Parameters, 20 September 2026 — Commonwealth Rent Assistance — FAAct
The table below shows the maximum Rent Assistance rates and the rent thresholds for each family situation. There are different rates for a single person, a single person who shares, a couple, couples separated by illness, and families with one to two children or three or more children.
Rent Assistance is not a fixed amount. How much you get depends on how much rent you pay above the rent threshold, up to the maximum for your situation. The table shows the maximum and the threshold so you can see both ends of the scale.
What changed on 20 September 2026
| Rate | Before 20 September 2026 | From 20 September 2026 | Change | Change % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single, no children | $219.40 | $223.80 | +$4.40 | +2.01% |
| Single — Sharer, no children | $146.27 | $149.20 | +$2.93 | +2.00% |
| Partnered — Illness separated, no children | $219.40 | $223.80 | +$4.40 | +2.01% |
| Partnered — Temporarily separated, no children | $206.80 | $211.00 | +$4.20 | +2.03% |
| Couple, no children | $206.80 | $211.00 | +$4.20 | +2.03% |
| Single — 1 to 2 children | $257.88 | $263.06 | +$5.18 | +2.01% |
| Single — 3 or more children | $291.48 | $297.36 | +$5.88 | +2.02% |
| Partnered — Illness or temporarily separated — 1 to 2 children | $257.88 | $263.06 | +$5.18 | +2.01% |
| Partnered — Illness or temporarily separated — 3 or more children | $291.48 | $297.36 | +$5.88 | +2.02% |
| Couple — 1 to 2 children | $257.88 | $263.06 | +$5.18 | +2.01% |
| Couple — 3 or more children | $291.48 | $297.36 | +$5.88 | +2.02% |
- On 20 September 2026, Commonwealth Rent Assistance, single, no children, rose $4.40, or 2.01%, from $219.40 to $223.80.
- Across the 11 rates in the table, the rise ranged from 2.00% to 2.03%.
Commonwealth Rent Assistance in 2026
| Rate | Before | 1 January 2026 | 20 March 2026 | 1 July 2026 | 20 September 2026 | 2026 change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maximum — Single | $215.40 | — | $219.40 | — | $223.80 | +$8.40 (+3.90%) |
| Maximum — Single — Sharer | $143.60 | — | $146.27 | — | $149.20 | +$5.60 (+3.90%) |
| Maximum — Partnered — Illness separated | $215.40 | — | $219.40 | — | $223.80 | +$8.40 (+3.90%) |
| Maximum — Partnered — Temporarily separated | $203.00 | — | $206.80 | — | $211.00 | +$8.00 (+3.94%) |
| Maximum — Couple | $203.00 | — | $206.80 | — | $211.00 | +$8.00 (+3.94%) |
| Maximum — Single — 1 to 2 children | $253.12 | — | $257.88 | — | $263.06 | +$9.94 (+3.93%) |
| Maximum — Single — 3 or more children | $286.02 | — | $291.48 | — | $297.36 | +$11.34 (+3.96%) |
| Maximum — Partnered — Illness or temporarily separated — 1 to 2 children | $253.12 | — | $257.88 | — | $263.06 | +$9.94 (+3.93%) |
| Maximum — Partnered — Illness or temporarily separated — 3 or more children | $286.02 | — | $291.48 | — | $297.36 | +$11.34 (+3.96%) |
| Maximum — Couple — 1 to 2 children | $253.12 | — | $257.88 | — | $263.06 | +$9.94 (+3.93%) |
| Maximum — Couple — 3 or more children | $286.02 | — | $291.48 | — | $297.36 | +$11.34 (+3.96%) |
- Commonwealth Rent Assistance, maximum, Single, rose $8.40 (3.90%) across 2026, from $215.40 to $223.80: $4.00 on 20 March 2026 and $4.40 on 20 September 2026.
More on Commonwealth Rent Assistance
- Commonwealth Rent Assistance overview
- How much is Commonwealth Rent Assistance?
- Commonwealth Rent Assistance calculator
- Commonwealth Rent Assistance in 2026
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.