Centrelink indexation boost to start Saturday for millions of Australians
Pensioners, carers, students and others will receive automatic increases to help with rising living costs as the government notes ongoing support measures.
Millions of Australians who rely on Centrelink payments will receive an automatic boost this weekend as the government implements the twice-yearly indexation. The increases apply to pensioners, carers, students, single parents and job seekers, among others, and are designed to help cover essential expenses such as rent, electricity, groceries and healthcare amid ongoing cost-of-living pressures. The changes take effect from Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, and will be applied automatically to recipients' payments.
Under the new indexation, the age and disability pensions, along with carer payments, rise by $29.70 per fortnight for singles and $44.80 for couples. Youth Allowance for students increases by $16.20 per fortnight, bringing the maximum for eligible students to $1,027.70. Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander students and apprentices will see a $12.50 rise to $793.60 per fortnight, matching the increase for single job seekers with no dependents. For single parents, benefits rise by $16.20 per fortnight to as much as $1,039.70, while partnered parents see their rate move to $734.30 per fortnight. Rent assistance will also increase, to $215.40 per fortnight for singles and $203.00 for couples.
Rent and housing supports form a core part of the package, with the broader aim of ensuring that households can meet essential costs as inflation and energy bills remain elevated. The increases will apply to a wide range of payments, and the government notes that the changes are designed to preserve the real value of social security payments over time. Recipients who want to confirm their upcoming payment can log into their Centrelink online account or use the Express Plus Centrelink mobile app to view details.
Payments will be indexed twice a year, in September and March, with the next adjustment scheduled for March 2026. The changes are automatic, and recipients do not need to apply for the increases. Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek said the government is committed to a fair social security system that adjusts supports as the economy changes, and emphasized that the aim is to ensure that everyone can make ends meet and no one is left behind. "The social security system must be grounded in fairness, which is why we adjust supports as the economy changes. We'll continue to make sure the system is there to support those who need it most, ensuring that everyone can make ends meet and no one gets left behind."
The government highlighted that this indexation comes alongside other cost-of-living measures for social security recipients, including tax cuts, cheaper medicines, energy bill relief and adjustments to student debt, part of a broader package designed to reduce financial pressures on vulnerable households. Officials stressed that the increases are automatic and intended to provide predictable support through the ongoing economic cycle, with the next update due in March 2026. The measure is part of the government’s broader approach to sustaining social security programs in challenging economic times and ensuring that payments retain their purchasing power over time.