On September 20, 2025, more than 5 million Australians on Centrelink payments will receive an increase, albeit small, in their fortnightly payments. This change, Centrelink ‘indexation’ which offers basic financial assistance to pensioners, pays oners, job seekers, career givers, and families across Australia, which for many, is very needed. This change is to help recipients manage their daily living costs, as these have gone higher, for groceries, healthcare and housing.
What Claims Qualify for the Increase Payments?
Australian means-tested financial assistance like the Age and Disability Support pensions and the Commonwealth Rent Assistance helps cover. Support Payments, Jobseeker Payment, Carer Payment, Parenting Payment, ABSTUDY for those aged 22 and over, and rent assistance of the Commonwealth also included. Payments recipients do not need to apply and it is automatically calculated, recipients will notice an increase starting from the Centrelink payment after September 20.
What Amount Will Increase?
The increase is subject to various factors depending on individual circumstance. The Age, Disability, and Carer pension recipients will see an extra $29.70, while for couples, an extra $22.40 each is the allowance. JobSeeker payments have also gone up. Single recipients will now receive $793.60 every fortnight and an extra $12.50 from the previous rate of $781.10.
Centrelink Cash Boost Payments Additions (Every Two Weeks Income)
| Payment Type | Previous Amount (AUD) | New Amount (AUD) | Increase (AUD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Age Pension (Single) | Varies | +29.70 | +29.70 |
| Age Pension (Couple, Each) | Varies | +22.40 | +22.40 |
| Disability Support Pension | Varies | +29.70 | +29.70 |
| Carer Payment | Varies | +29.70 | +29.70 |
| JobSeeker Payment (Single, 22+) | 781.10 | 793.60 | 12.50 |
| Commonwealth Rent Assistance | Varies | Increase varies | TBD |
Why Does This Matter
With inflation and the cost of living constantly increasing the Centrelink cash boost provides vital assistance for those at the bottom of the economic ladder. Most of whom are quite vulnerable. This additon, according to Minister of Social Services Tanya Plibersek, is necessary to ensure system equity and that recipients are not subjected to extreme deprivation while trying to fulfil their basic needs.
The boost has been supported from advocates for older austrialians and people with disabilities and it has been claimed that it is genuine assistance. Patricia Sparrow, the CEO of COTA Australia, said that many older austrialians suffer from poverty and the increase of 29.70 every two weeks is vital to enable those suffering from cost of living to survive.
Key Points to Remember
The recipients will need to log into the myGov or Centrelink portals to check their payment balances after the 20th of September 2025. In this case, no payment needs to be made. There is no need for any effort to qualify for the payment and even receiving it. It will be integrated automatically during the prepared payment distributions.