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Single: $546.80
Partnered: $456.80 (each)
Single DSP under 21, no children
(Youth Allowance plus Youth Disability Supplement of
$100.60, total cannot exceed adult DSP rate):
<18, at home: $295.10
18-20, at home: $334.50
16-20 independent: $456.00
Member of a couple: $456.00
Rates are adjusted each March and September in line
with increases in the CPI. Single adult rates are also benchmarked against
25% of MTAWE, with a proportional flow-on to partnered rates. Pensions are
taxable, except for Disability Support Pension and Invalidity Service Pension
paid to people under Age Pension age, and Carer Payment and Wife Pension
spouse where the person being cared for or the spouse is receiving a non-taxable
pension.
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Free Area: $138 (single)
$240 (couple)
plus $24.60 per child
Taper:
Singles: 40% of income above free area
Couples: 20%
of combined income above free area for each member of couple.
Working Credit* available if aged under Age Pension
age.
Income test does not apply to a permanently blind
person receiving Age, Service or Disability Support Pension.
Some income types are subject to different
arrangements (for example, compensation payments may be deducted directly
from the rate otherwise payable).
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Homeowners for full pension:
Single $171,750
Partnered (combined): $243,500
Non-Homeowners for full pension:
Single: $296,250
Partnered (combined): $368,000
Assets over the limit reduce pensions by $1.50 per
fortnight for every $1,000 above the threshold.
Homeowners for part pension:
Single: $540,250
Partnered (combined): $856,500
Non-Homeowners for part pension:
Single: $664,750
Partnered (combined): $981,000
(Amounts are higher if receiving RA or separated due
to illness)
For Parenting Payment Single, see Allowances.
Assets test does not apply to a permanently blind
person receiving Age, Service or Disability Support Pension.
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Higher single rate: $472.80
Lower single rate: $437.10
Partnered: $394.40
Higher single rate applies to: a person with a
dependent child; or a person aged 60 or more and on income support for at
least 9 months; and to partnered people separated due to ill-health,
infirmity or because the partner is in gaol.
Lower single rate applies to singles not covered by
the higher rate.
Rates are adjusted each March and September in line
with increases in the CPI. Payments are taxable.
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Free Area: $62
Tapers: 50% of income $62-$250,
60% of income above $250
Partner income test:
Free Area: $751
Taper: 60%
If partner is a pensioner, then a joint income test
applies. Individual income is calculated as half the combined income of the
couple. This amount is then subject to the person’s individual income test.
If partner is not a pensioner, a sequential income
test applies. Individual income test is applied to own income. Partner income
over the partner income free area is subject to a 60% taper.
Working Credit* applies.
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Homeowners ineligible for allowance if assets
exceed:
Single: $171,750
Partnered (combined): $243,500
Non-Homeowners ineligible if assets exceed:
Single: $296,250
Partnered (combined): $368,000
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Youth Allowance (YA)
<18, at home: $194.50
18 +, at home: $233.90
YA and Austudy
Partnered, no children; and Away from Home: $355.40
Single, with children: $465.60
Partnered, with children: $390.20
Higher rates are available to long‑term income
support recipients aged 21 or over commencing full-time study or an
apprenticeship.
YA with partial capacity to work receive YA rates
plus Youth Disability Supplement of $100.60 (total is capped at adult
Newstart rates).
Rates are adjusted each January in line with
increases in the CPI.
Payments are taxable.
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Personal income test
Free Area: $236
Tapers: 50% of income $236-$316;
60% of income above $316
Student Income Bank** available.
Partner income test as for other allowances.
Parental income test
YA for non-independent young people is paid subject to a parental
income test, unless a parent receives income support or holds a low‑income
Health Care Card. The family actual means test applies to specified families.
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YA for independent young people
and Austudy payment are assets tested as for other allowances.
YA for non-independent young people is paid subject to a family
assets test, unless a parent receives income support or holds a Health Care
Card.
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Income Support Supplement (ISS) is payable to
eligible war widow(er)s with a maximum fortnightly rate of $163.20.
Indexed in March and September with reference to CPI and MTAWE.
ISS is not taxable when recipient is aged less than
65, but is taxable otherwise.
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Free area for ISS: $1,097 (single).
ISS Taper: 40% of income above free area.
Different ISS free areas and taper rates apply for
members of a couple.
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Homeowners for full ISS*:
Single: $427,500
Non-Homeowners for full ISS*:
Single: $552,000
Assets over this limit reduce the ISS by $0.375 per
fortnight for every $250 above the threshold.
Different thresholds apply for members of a couple.
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