Quick answer: Centrelink reviews Age Pension rates twice a year — 20 March and 20 September. After the September 2026 increase, the next scheduled Age Pension increase lands on 20 March 2027. Centrelink reviews deeming rates and asset thresholds on a separate schedule, so your payment can still change between the two big indexation dates.
If your payment just rose on 20 September 2026 and you want to know when the next Age Pension increase happens, bookmark this page — we update the dates every cycle so you don’t have to search for them again.
The Full Centrelink Indexation Calendar
Centrelink doesn’t move every payment on the same date. Here’s what changes and when:
| Date | What Centrelink reviews |
|---|---|
| 20 March (annually) | Age Pension, DSP and Carer Payment rates, plus income free areas |
| 20 September (annually) | Age Pension, DSP and Carer Payment rates, plus income free areas |
| 1 July (annually) | Asset value limits, deeming thresholds, Family Tax Benefit, Child Care Subsidy, Paid Parental Leave |
| 1 January (annually) | Carer Allowance, Youth Allowance and Austudy base rates |
Most people track only the headline rate rise in March and September — and miss that their assets test threshold or deeming rate moved on a completely different date. Either change can affect their entitlement as much as the rate itself.
Upcoming Age Pension Payment Dates
- 20 September 2026 — the Age Pension rises to $1,237.70/ft (single) and $1,866.00/ft (couple, combined). Deeming rates also increase to 1.75%/3.75% — see our full deeming rate breakdown.
- 1 January 2027 — Centrelink indexes Carer Allowance and student payments.
- 20 March 2027 — the next Age Pension rate review.
- 1 July 2027 — the next asset and deeming threshold review.
We refresh the confirmed dollar figures here as each official announcement lands, so treat this page as an ongoing reference rather than a one-off news article.
Why the Rate Isn’t the Only Thing That Moves
Every indexation date shifts more than the headline number. On pension rate-review dates, Centrelink typically adjusts these alongside the rate:
- Income free areas — how much you can earn before your pension starts reducing
- Work Bonus balance caps — relevant if you still work part-time
- Deeming assumptions used in your income test — Centrelink reviews these on a separate cycle, but they interact directly with the rate rise (see How Super and the Age Pension Work Together)
That’s why two retirees on the same “maximum rate” can see very different real change in their fortnightly payment — the outcome depends on which thresholds sit closest to their own numbers.
How to Check Your Own Updated Rate
- Log into the myGov account linked to your Centrelink record — your new rate usually appears a few days before it lands.
- Check whether Centrelink pays you a transitional rate — these increase on a different formula to standard rates.
- If you sit near an assets or income test threshold, recheck your eligibility after every 1 July and 20 September/March date — small threshold movements can shift you between a full pension, a part pension, or none at all.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the next Age Pension increase after September 2026?
20 March 2027. Centrelink reviews Age Pension rates every 20 March and 20 September, so the September 2026 rise is followed by the next scheduled increase in March 2027.
How often does the Age Pension increase?
Twice a year. Centrelink indexes the rate to whichever is higher: the Consumer Price Index (CPI) or the Pensioner and Beneficiary Living Cost Index (PBLCI). It then checks the result against a floor of 27.7% of Male Total Average Weekly Earnings (MTAWE) for the single rate, and lifts the payment further if it falls short of that benchmark.
Do I need to apply for the increase?
No. If you’re already receiving the Age Pension, Centrelink applies the increase automatically to your existing payment — no form, no phone call, no action needed on your end.
Does the pension ever stay flat?
Yes, though it’s rare. If inflation is very low or negative over the relevant measurement period, the indexed rate can come out unchanged from the previous period. This happened in September 2020, when subdued inflation during COVID meant rates held steady rather than rising.
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