Nearly five million Australians will see their Centrelink payments increase again this Friday, with income support rates rising to match the cost of living. The September 2025 Centrelink payment increase will apply to Age Pension, Carer Payment, Parenting Payment, JobSeeker, Youth Allowance and Rent Assistance.
The changes are part of the government’s regular indexation process, designed to make sure support keeps pace with inflation.
New Centrelink payment rates from September
If you’re wondering how much will Centrelink payments rise, here’s a breakdown of the updated fortnightly amounts:
- Age Pension
- Single pensioners: up $29.70 to $1178.70
- Couples (each): up $22.40 to $888.50
- Parenting Payment
- Single parents: up $16.20 to $1039.70
- Partnered parents: up $11.40 to $734.40
- JobSeeker
- Single person aged 22+ with no children: up $12.50 to $793.60
- Commonwealth Rent Assistance
- Singles: up $3.40 to $215.40
- Couples: up $3.20 to $203.00
- Single parents with three or more children: up $4.48 to $286.02
These new rates show the Centrelink JobSeeker increase 2025 alongside boosts for families, renters and pensioners.
Why are Centrelink payments going up?
Centrelink benefits are reviewed twice a year — in March and September. Payments are adjusted in line with inflation to ensure they do not lose real value.
The government uses the highest of three indicators:
- Consumer Price Index (CPI)
- Average weekly wage growth
- Pensioner and Beneficiary Living Cost Index (for the Age Pension)
This approach ensures households on income support can better manage rising costs for essentials like groceries, bills and rent.
What this means for Australians?
The new Centrelink payment rates September rollout will be automatic, so recipients don’t need to reapply. Updated amounts will appear in bank accounts from Friday.
While the increases are modest, they are intended to give Australians some relief from cost-of-living pressures. For renters in particular, the Centrelink rent assistance rise 2025 will provide extra support, though housing costs remain a challenge.
