The Australian Government has introduced major changes to Centrelink payments from March 2025. More than five million people will be affected by these reforms.
Payment Increases Effective March 2025
Age Pension
- Singles: Increased by $4.60 to $1,149 per fortnight
- Couples: Increased by $3.50 each to $1,732.20 combined per fortnight
JobSeeker Payment
- Singles (no children): Increased by $3.10 to $789.90 per fortnight
- Singles (with children): Increased by $3.30 per fortnight
- Single recipients aged 55+ (after 9 months): Increased by $3.30 per fortnight
- Recipients with partial work capacity: Increased by $3.30 per fortnight
- Partnered recipients: Increased by $2.80 each per fortnight
Commonwealth Rent Assistance
- Singles: Increased by $0.80 to $212 per fortnight
- Couples: Increased by $0.80 combined to $199.80 per fortnight
- Single sharers: Increased by $0.53 to $141.33 per fortnight
Parenting Payment
- Single parents: Increased by $4.00 per fortnight
- Partnered parents: Increased by $2.80 per fortnight
Policy Changes
JobSeeker Compliance Framework
- First-time non-compliance penalties waived for new Workforce Australia participants
- 30-hour minimum work requirement exemption from penalties
- Individual assessment approach for penalty determinations
Carer Payment Work Provisions
- Work limit expanded to 100 hours per four-week period
- Only paid employment hours calculated towards limit
- Respite provisions available to maintain payment eligibility
Indexation Process
Payment adjustments occur quarterly based on Consumer Price Index movements. These adjustments maintain purchasing power relative to cost of living changes.
May 2025 Payment Schedule
- Parenting Payment: 17 May
- JobSeeker Payment: 12 May
- Youth Allowance/Austudy: 14 May
These reforms affect over five million recipients across Australia’s social security system.
