More than 5.3 million Australians will receive higher Centrelink payments from 20 September 2026, as the government’s twice-yearly indexation round lifts the Age Pension, Disability Support Pension, Carer Payment, JobSeeker Payment, Parenting Payment, Youth Allowance, ABSTUDY and Commonwealth Rent Assistance. Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek says the changes will deliver an extra $4 billion in cost-of-living relief. Below is exactly how much every payment is rising, what the new deeming rates mean for your income test, and what to check before the changes land.
Quick answer: From 20 September 2026, single Age Pension, DSP and Carer Payment recipients get $1,237.70 a fortnight (up $36.80), and couples get $1,866.00 combined (up $55.60). JobSeeker, Parenting Payment, Youth Allowance, ABSTUDY and Commonwealth Rent Assistance also rise, while deeming rates increase to 1.75% and 3.75%.
What’s Changing on 20 September 2026
Centrelink payments are indexed twice a year, on 20 March and 20 September, to keep pace with inflation and wage growth. The September 2026 round increases the maximum rates for pensions and working-age payments, lifts Commonwealth Rent Assistance, and raises the deeming rates used to assess income from financial assets. None of these changes require you to apply — they’re applied automatically to your existing payment.
Age Pension, DSP and Carer Payment Increase
The Age Pension, Disability Support Pension (DSP) and Carer Payment are all paid at the same maximum rate, so they rise by the same amount. From 20 September 2026:
- Single pensioners: up $36.80 a fortnight, to $1,237.70
- Couples (combined): up $55.60 a fortnight, to $1,866.00
- Non-resident single pensioners: up $5.00 a fortnight
- Non-resident partnered pensioners: up $1.70 a fortnight each
If you specifically receive the Disability Support Pension, see our DSP September 2026 guide for the full new rates and eligibility rules.
JobSeeker Payment Increase
JobSeeker Payment rates also rise on 20 September 2026:
- Single, no children: up $16.20, to $833.70 a fortnight
- Single, with dependent children: up $17.30, to $892.80 a fortnight
- Couples (each): up $14.80, to $763.00 a fortnight
Parenting Payment Increase
Parenting Payment recipients will also see their maximum rate rise from 20 September 2026:
- Parenting Payment Single: up $20.90, to $1,087.20 a fortnight
- Parenting Payment Partnered: up $14.80, to $763.00 a fortnight
Youth Allowance and ABSTUDY Increase
Youth Allowance and ABSTUDY rates are also increasing, though the exact amount you receive depends on your age, living arrangements and whether you have dependent children — check your MyGov Centrelink account for your personal new rate. Confirmed changes for this round include:
- Youth Allowance for job seekers, principal carers and people exempt from mutual obligations: rising from 20 September 2026 under standard CPI indexation u2014 check your MyGov Centrelink account for your exact new rate
| Category / Description | Increase (Fortnightly) | New Rate (Fortnightly) | Previous Rate (Fortnightly) |
| ABSTUDY (Single, aged 22+, no dependent children) | +$16.20 | $833.70 | $817.50 |
| ABSTUDY (Single, aged 22+, with dependent children) | +$17.30 | $892.80 | $875.50 |
| ABSTUDY (Single, aged 55+, no dependent children) | +$17.30 | $899.80 | $882.50 |
| ABSTUDY (Partnered, aged 22+) | +$14.80 | $763.00 | $748.20 |
| Youth Allowance (Job seekers, principal carers, and people exempt from mutual obligations) | Rising from 20 September 2026 (Standard CPI indexation) | Check MyGov | — |
Note: Youth Allowance and ABSTUDY have more than one component. The rates above cover job seeker, principal carer and mutual-obligation-exempt categories, which move with this September round. Youth Allowance and ABSTUDY paid to full-time students and Australian Apprentices are indexed separately, on 1 January each year, so those recipients won’t see a change on 20 September.
Commonwealth Rent Assistance Increase
More than one million renters receiving Centrelink payments will also see a boost to their Rent Assistance from 20 September 2026:
| Category / Household Type | Increase (Fortnightly) | New Rate (Fortnightly) | Previous Rate (Fortnightly) |
| Singles with no children (maximum rate) | +$4.40 | $223.80 | $219.40 |
| Couples with no children (combined) | +$4.20 | $211.00 | $206.80 |
| Couples with one or two children (combined) | +$5.18 | $263.06 | $257.88 |
| Couples with three or more children (combined) | +$5.88 | $297.36 | $291.48 |
Rates for singles with dependent children are also increasing — check your Centrelink payment summary for your exact figure, as it varies with the number of children in your care.
Deeming Rates Are Rising Too
Alongside the payment increases, the government has lifted social security deeming rates — the rates Centrelink uses to estimate how much income your financial assets (such as savings, shares and account-based pensions) are earning, regardless of what they actually earn. From 20 September 2026:
- Lower deeming rate: up from 1.25% to 1.75%, applying to financial assets up to $66,800 for singles and $110,600 for couples (combined)
- Upper deeming rate: up from 3.25% to 3.75%, applying to financial assets above those thresholds
A higher deeming rate means Centrelink assumes you’re earning more from your savings and investments, which can increase your assessed income under the pension income test. For part-pensioners with significant financial assets, this could offset some — or occasionally all — of the September rate increase.
Will the Deeming Rate Rise Cancel Out Your Pension Increase?
It depends on your situation. If you receive the full Age Pension, deeming changes generally won’t affect you, because your payment isn’t reduced by the income test. If you’re on a part pension and hold substantial financial assets — including account-based pensions, term deposits and share portfolios — the higher deeming rate could reduce your net rate increase, or in some cases offset it entirely. It’s worth reviewing your Centrelink income test estimate after 20 September to see your actual net change.
Summary Table: September 2026 Payment Increases
| Payment | Increase | New Maximum Fortnightly Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Age Pension (single) | +$36.80 | $1,237.70 |
| Age Pension (couple, combined) | +$55.60 | $1,866.00 |
| DSP / Carer Payment (single) | +$36.80 | $1,237.70 |
| DSP / Carer Payment (couple, combined) | +$55.60 | $1,866.00 |
| JobSeeker (single, no children) | +$16.20 | $833.70 |
| JobSeeker (single, with children) | +$17.30 | $892.80 |
| JobSeeker (couple, each) | +$14.80 | $763.00 |
| Parenting Payment Single | +$20.90 | $1,087.20 |
| Parenting Payment Partnered | +$14.80 | $763.00 |
| Rent Assistance (single, no children) | +$4.40 | $223.80 |
| Rent Assistance (couple, no children) | +$4.20 | $211.00 |
What Should You Do Before 20 September?
- Check your MyGov Centrelink inbox in the days after 20 September for your updated rate advice letter
- If you’re a part-pensioner with financial assets, ask Centrelink or a financial adviser to estimate your net change once the new deeming rates apply
- Review your asset mix if deeming income is pushing you toward a lower payment tier
- If your circumstances have changed — income, assets or relationship status — report it, since indexation doesn’t replace the need to keep your details current
If you’d like help understanding exactly how the September 2026 changes affect your Age Pension, DSP or Centrelink income test, Lincoln Wealth Advisors can review your situation and help you plan around it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to apply for the September 2026 increase?
No. The increase is applied automatically to eligible payments — you don’t need to contact Centrelink or reapply.
When will I see the new rate in my bank account?
The new rates apply from 20 September 2026, so you should see the higher amount from your next regular payment date after that.
Does this affect the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card income test?
The Commonwealth Seniors Health Card has its own income thresholds, reviewed on a separate schedule from pension payment rates. See our Commonwealth Seniors Health Card guide for the current income limits.
Is the Disability Support Pension increasing by the same amount as the Age Pension?
Yes. DSP and Carer Payment are paid at the same maximum rate as the Age Pension, so all three rise by the same dollar amount in this indexation round. See our full DSP September 2026 guide for eligibility rules and how the increase applies to you.
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