Rent Assistance rates
Rates from 20 September 2026. Next change 20 March 2027.
An extra amount paid with another Centrelink payment or Family Tax Benefit Part A to people who rent privately or in community housing. These are the maximum rates; the income and assets tests can reduce what you get.
Maximum rate, single, no children
$223.80a fortnight
$5,818.80 a year.
- Rate change on 20 Sep
- +$4.40 (2.0%)
- Next change
- 20 March 2027
How the rate has moved
Dollars a fortnightMaximum Rent Assistance from 20 September 2026
Rent Assistance starts once your rent passes the threshold and pays 75 cents for each dollar over it, up to the maximum.
| Situation | Rent threshold | Rent for the maximum | A fortnight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single, no children | $157.80 | $456.20 | $223.80 |
| Single, no children, sharing | $157.80 | $356.74 | $149.20 |
| Couple, no children, combined | $255.80 | $537.14 | $211.00 |
Has it kept up with prices?
Ten years ago, in July 2016, the most you could get was $130.40 a fortnight (single). It's $223.80 now, 71.6% more. Prices rose 34.7% over the same stretch, going by the ABS consumer price index from the September quarter 2016 to the June quarter 2026, so it has more than kept pace.
Since July 2016
- The rate, single+71.6%
- Prices, by the consumer price index+34.7%
The last ten changes
| From | Single | Couple, combined |
|---|---|---|
| 20 Sept 2026 | $223.80 | $211.00 |
| 20 Mar 2026 | $219.40 | $206.80 |
| 20 Sept 2025 | $215.40 | $203.00 |
| 20 Mar 2025 | $212.00 | $199.80 |
| 20 Sept 2024 | $211.20 | $199.00 |
| 20 Mar 2024 | $188.20 | $177.20 |
| 20 Sept 2023 | $184.80 | $174.00 |
| 20 Mar 2023 | $157.20 | $148.00 |
| 20 Sept 2022 | $151.60 | $142.80 |
| 20 Mar 2022 | $145.80 | $137.40 |
Next change: 20 March 2027
The maximum rates and rent thresholds are indexed to the Consumer Price Index on 20 March and 20 September.
The Department of Social Services sets these rates in its Social Security Guide; Services Australia pays them through Centrelink. Your own rate depends on your income, assets, living arrangements and other payments, so check it with Services Australia before you plan around it.
Questions people ask
- How much is the Rent Assistance?
- From 20 September 2026, the maximum is $223.80 a fortnight (single, no children), or $5,818.80 a year. These are maximum rates: the income and assets tests can reduce them.
- When does the Rent Assistance go up next?
- On 20 March 2027. The maximum rates and rent thresholds are indexed to the Consumer Price Index on 20 March and 20 September. The new rates appear here when the Department of Social Services publishes them.
- How much did the Rent Assistance go up on 20 September 2026?
- The maximum rate rose $4.40 a fortnight, 2.0%, from $219.40 to $223.80 (single).
- What was the Rent Assistance ten years ago?
- In July 2016, the maximum rate was $130.40 a fortnight (single), set on 20 March 2016. It is $223.80 now.
- Has the Rent Assistance kept up with inflation?
- Ten years ago, in July 2016, the most you could get was $130.40 a fortnight (single). It's $223.80 now, 71.6% more. Prices rose 34.7% over the same stretch, going by the ABS consumer price index from the September quarter 2016 to the June quarter 2026, so it has more than kept pace.
- Where do these rates come from?
- The Department of Social Services' Social Security Guide, which sets out the rates Services Australia pays through Centrelink. We read it daily and update this page when it changes. Check your own rate with Services Australia: it depends on your income, assets and circumstances.
Source: Department of Social Services, Social Security Guide, sections 5.1.7.10 and 5.2.6.10, © Commonwealth of Australia, licensed CC BY 4.0, read 8 Oct 2026 and arranged by The Finance Algorithm. Not affiliated with Services Australia or Centrelink. Maximum rates before the income and assets tests. General information, not financial advice.