Living costs in Australia aren’t getting any cheaper, especially for pensioners and low-income earners. To help with this, the Australian Government, through Centrelink (or Services Australia), is rolling out another round of indexation.
Starting 20 November 2025, several Centrelink fortnightly payments are set to increase. If you’re receiving the Age Pension, JobSeeker, Youth Allowance or other support payments—this boost might offer some welcome relief.
Let’s break down what these changes actually mean, and how much extra you could be getting each fortnight.
Purpose
So, why this boost? Every year, Centrelink adjusts payments twice—once in March and again in November. This is to help payments keep up with inflation and reflect changes in the Consumer Price Index (CPI). In simple terms: as the cost of groceries, rent, and energy bills go up, your support payments should too.
The November 2025 update is part of this regular adjustment. But this time, the increases are particularly helpful for older Australians and those on lower incomes.
Increases
Here’s a clear look at what payments are changing and by how much:
| Payment Type | Increase (Fortnightly) | New Amount (Fortnightly) |
|---|---|---|
| Age Pension (Single) | $29.70 | $1178.70 |
| Age Pension (Partnered) | $22.40 each | $888.50 each |
| JobSeeker (Single, no child) | $12.50 | $793.60 |
| Youth Allowance | $16.20 | $1026.70 |
| Parenting Payment (Single) | $16.20 | Varies by situation |
| Parenting Payment (Partnered) | $11.40 | Varies by situation |
| ABSTUDY Living Allowance | $11.40 to $13.40 | Varies by family setup |
| Transitional Rate (Single) | $14.90 | Based on specific criteria |
| Transitional Rate (Partnered) | $12.00 | Based on specific criteria |
| Rent Assistance | $2.27 to $4.48 | Varies depending on status |
| Pension Supplement | $0.40 to $0.60 | Slight increase based on status |
As you can see, some of these changes might seem small at first glance. But over a year, it adds up—and for many, every dollar counts.
Pensioners
If you’re 67 or older and qualify for the Age Pension, you’ll likely benefit the most from this increase. To be eligible, you’ll still need to pass the income and asset tests. But once you’re in, you can expect a $29.70 bump per fortnight if you’re single or $22.40 each if you’re part of a couple.
That’s a yearly increase of over $770 for singles and $582.40 per person for couples. It might not cover a holiday to the Gold Coast, but it can definitely make groceries, power bills, or a doctor’s visit a bit more manageable.
Jobseeker
Not all recipients are retired. Those on Jobseeker Payment—especially single adults with no kids—will also see an increase. The new rate moves up $12.50, bringing the total to $793.60 a fortnight.
While it’s not a huge jump, it helps close the gap between Jobseeker and the rising cost of basic living needs. It also shows the government is still responsive to inflationary pressures on younger and working-age Australians.
Families
For those with families or young dependents, both Parenting Payments and Youth Allowance are going up too. The Parenting Payment (Single) sees a boost of $16.20, while partnered recipients get $11.40 more.
Youth Allowance and ABSTUDY also get small increases—helping young people, especially students and trainees, who often face unpredictable work and tight budgets.
Housing
One of the areas feeling the squeeze most is rent. Renters will get a slight Rent Assistance boost between $2.27 and $4.48 per fortnight, depending on their situation. It might not feel like much, but over the course of a year, that’s around $117 to $232 extra.
It’s still far from solving the housing crisis, but it’s something.
Outlook
This November 2025 payment increase is part of a broader, ongoing effort by the Australian Government to ease pressure on vulnerable citizens. The aim? To stop people from falling behind as prices rise.
Of course, it’s not a perfect fix. But for many, even these modest changes will offer a bit more breathing room heading into the summer and holiday season.
And don’t forget—these payments are automatic. If you’re already receiving Centrelink benefits, there’s no need to reapply. You’ll just see a slightly higher amount in your account after 20 November 2025.
Need more clarity? You can always check out servicesaustralia.gov.au for updates and exact figures related to your individual case.
FAQs
When does the Centrelink increase start?
The payment increase starts from 20 November 2025.
How much will singles on Age Pension get?
They’ll get $1178.70 per fortnight, up by $29.70.
Is the payment boost automatic?
Yes, all eligible recipients get it automatically.
Will JobSeeker payments also increase?
Yes, JobSeeker will increase by $12.50 for singles.
Where can I check my new Centrelink rate?
Visit servicesaustralia.gov.au for updated payment rates.
