Dept of Human Services Payments

Effective as at

20/03/2013

ABSTUDY

Refer to Centrelink for extensive range of rates and allowances.

Age Pension (AP)

Basic Rates

Single Pension per fortnight

$ 733.70

Couple Pension per fortnight (each)

$ 553.10

Pension Supplement is additional. Prior to 20 Sep 2009 Pharmaceutical Allowance was included.

Rent Assistance

See Chart F.

Income Test

See Chart C. No test for permanently blind.

Assets Test

Homeowners see Chart A. Non-homeowners see Chart B. No test for permanently blind.

Age Eligibility

Male

Born before 1 Jul 1952

65.0

Born 1 Jul 1952 - 31 Dec 1953

65.5

Born 1 Jan 1954 - 30 Jun 1955

66.0

Born 1 Jul 1955 - 31 Dec 1956

66.5

Born 1 Jan 1957 onwards

67.0

Female

Born before 1 Jul 1935

60.0

Born 1 Jul 1935 - 31 Dec 1936

60.5

Born 1 Jan 1937 - 30 Jun 1938

61.0

Born 1 Jul 1938 - 31 Dec 1939

61.5

Born 1 Jan 1940 - 30 Jun 1941

62.0

Born 1 Jul 1941 - 31 Dec 1942

62.5

Born 1 Jan 1943 - 30 Jun 1944

63.0

Born 1 Jul 1944 - 31 Dec 1945

63.5

Born 1 Jan 1946 - 30 Jun 1947

64.0

Born 1 Jul 1947 - 31 Dec 1948

64.5

Born 1 Jan 1949 - 30 Jun 1952

65.0

Born 1 Jul 1952 - 31 Dec 1953

65.5

Born 1 Jan 1954 - 30 Jun 1955

66.0

Born 1 Jul 1955 - 31 Dec 1956

66.5

Born 1 Jan 1957 onwards

67.0

Age Pension Bonus Scheme

Basic Rates

Tax free amount paid if Age Pension is deferred. Closed to new entrants who did not qualify for Age Pension before 20 September 2009.

Single

1 Year Deferred

$ 1,845.20

2 Years Deferred

$ 7,380.90

3 Years Deferred

$ 16,607.00

4 Years Deferred

$ 29,523.50

5 Years Deferred

$ 46,130.50

Couple (each)

1 Year Deferred

$ 1,395.30

2 Years Deferred

$ 5,581.10

3 Years Deferred

$ 12,557.50

4 Years Deferred

$ 22,324.50

5 Years Deferred

$ 34,882.00

Pension Bonus Bereavement Payment

Pension Bonus Bereavement Payment is a payment to the surviving partner of a deceased member of the Pension Bonus Scheme who did not make a claim for the bonus before his or her death. Rates as above.

Assistance for Isolated Children (AIC)

Rates

Basic Boarding Allowance pa

$ 7,487.00

Additional Boarding Allowance pa

$ 1,432.00

Second Home Allowance pf

$ 218.09

Distance Education Allowance pa

$ 3,743.00

Pensioner Education Supplement pf

$ 62.40

Rent Assistance

Not payable.

Income Test

No income test on Basic Boarding Allowance, Distance Education Allowance, Second Home Allowance or AIC Pensioner Education Supplement.

Parental Income Threshold

$ 47,815

Assets Test

No assets test.

Austudy Payment

Minimum Age Eligible

25.00

Basic Rates

Single per fortnight

$ 407.50

Single with children per fortnight

$ 533.80

Partnered per fortnight

$ 407.50

Partnered with children per fortnight

$ 447.40

Special Rate Single per fortnight

$ 495.00

Special Partnered, no children pf

$ 447.40

Pharmaceutical Allowance may be paid.

Rent Assistance

Payable from 1 Jan 2008. See Chart F.

Income Test

See Chart D(a).

Assets Test

See Chart A or B.

Income Bank

Student Income Bank Balance

$ 10,100

Baby Bonus (BB)

Basic Rate -Total Amount per child

$ 5,000

Paid in 13 fortnightly payments. No assets test.

Income Test

Applicable from 1 Jan 2009.

Max joint income 6 mths from birth

$ 75,000

Bereavement Allowance (BA)

Paid to person whose partner has died. Has no qualifying child for Parenting Payment.

Number of weeks allowance is paid

14.00

Basic Rates

Single pension rate. See Age Pension.

Rent Assistance

See Chart F.

Income Test

See Chart C.

Assets Test

See Chart A or B.

Carer Adjustment Payment

The Carer Adjustment Payment is intended to assist families to adjust following a catastrophic event where a child aged under 7 years is diagnosed with a severe disability or severe medical condition. The event must have caused an adjustment in the care arrangements that cause the family financial hardship that can be assisted by a one-off ex-gratia grant.

Maximum Payment

$ 10,000

Carer Allowance (CA)

Basic Rates

Payment Rate per fortnight

$ 115.40

May be paid in addition to an income support payment.

If caring for person under 16, eligible for Health Care Card (for child) and Child Disability Assistance Payment.

Supplement

Carer Supplement per child up to pa

$ 600

Rent Assistance

Not payable.

Income Test

No income test.

Assets Test

No income test.

Carer Payment

Basic Rates

See Age Pension. Pharmaceutical Allowance is paid.

Rent Assistance

See Chart F.

Income Test

Carer: See Chart C.

Assets Test

Carer: See Chart A or B.

CDEP Participant Supplement

Community Development Employment Project assistance.

Basic Rates

Participant Supplement per fortnight

$ 20.80

Pharmaceutical Allowance, see relevant allowance or pension.

Rent Assistance

See Chart F.

Income Test

Single Income Cut-off Threshold pf

$ 1,126

Couple Income Cut-off Threshold pf

$ 1,033

Assets Test

See relevant allowance or pension type.

Child Care Benefit (CCB)

Maximum Number of Hours per Week

50.00

School Child is % of Non-School Rate

85.00 %

Multiple child loading for 2 children

$ 17.53

Multiple child loading for 3 children

$ 50.95

Approved Care

Rate for Non-School Child per hour

$ 3.90

Rate may vary depending on number of children, income etc.

Rate when Family Income over Cut-off

$ 0.652

Approved Care - Family Income Test

Lower Income Threshold

$ 41,026

Upper Income Threshold

$ 95,530

Income Cut-off - 1 child

$ 142,426

Income Cut-off - 2 children

$ 147,594

Income Cut-off - 3 children

$ 166,656

Income Cut-off - per extra child

$ 31,495

Registered Care

Rate for Non-School Child per hour

$ 0.652

No income or assets test.

Child Care Tax Rebate (CCTR)

Claims before 1 Jul 2006 were made via ATO.

Out of pocket child care expenses

50.00 %

Limit of Tax Rebate

$ 7,500

No income or assets test.

Child Disability Assistance Payment

Child Disability Assistance Payment of up to $1000 to help you with the costs of caring for a child with a disability.

Child Disability Assistance Payment

$ 1,000

Clean Energy Household Assistance

Clean Energy Supplement

Pensioners/income support recipients from March 2013.

Seniors Supplement recipients (in arrears) from June 2013.

Family Tax Benefit recipients from July 2013.

Youth/Student, DSP Under 21 recipients from Jan 2014.

Clean Energy Advance payments in meantime.

Pensions

Single (or illness separated) $ pf

13.50

Couple $ pf

10.20

Seniors Supplement recipients

Single (or illness separated) $ pf

13.50

Member of a Couple $ pf

10.20

(Allowance Rates (NSA, WA, PA, SA)

Single-no children $ pf

8.40

Single—with dependent child(ren) $ pf

9.10

Single, over 60, > 9 mth payments $ pf

9.10

Partnered (each) $ pf

7.60

Single, NSA principal carer $ pf

11.60

Single, over age pension age $ pf

13.50

Partnered, over age pension age $ pf

10.20

Parenting Payments

Parenting Payment Single $ pf

11.60

Parenting Payment Partnered $ pf

7.60

Low Income Supplement

Low Income Supplement $ pa

300.00

Essential Medical Equipment Payment

Essential Medical Equipment $ pa

140.00

Commonwealth Seniors Health Card

Self funded retirees of age pension age not qualified for Age Pension.

Income Test

Single Taxable Income Limit pa

$ 50,000

Couple Taxable Income Limit pa both

$ 80,000

Ill Sep Taxable Income Limit pa each

$ 50,000

Ill Sep Taxable Income Limit pa both

$ 100,000

Extra Income Limit per child pa

$ 639.60

Assets Test

Not Applicable.

Continence Aids Payment Scheme

The Continence Aids Payment Scheme (CAPS) helps eligible people who have permanent and severe incontinence to meet some of the costs of incontinence products.

Continence Aids Payment pa

$ 521.00

Crisis Payment

Basic Rates

A one-off payment, equal to one week's payment (without add ons) of the person's pension, benefit or allowance.

Disability Support Pension (DSP)

Basic Rates

Aged 21 and Over

Same as Age Pension rates.

Single Pension per fortnight

$ 733.70

Couple Pension per fortnight (each)

$ 553.10

Single aged under 18

At home Rate per fortnight

$ 338.40

Independent Rate per fortnight

$ 522.90

Single aged 18-20

At home Rate per fortnight

$ 383.60

Independent Rate per fortnight

$ 522.90

Member of a Couple

Aged under 18 Rate per fortnight

$ 522.90

Aged 18-20 Rate per fortnight

$ 522.90

Above rates include Youth Disability Supplement. Pharmaceutical Allowance is paid.

Rent Assistance

See Chart F.

Income Test

See Chart C. No income test for permanently blind.

Assets Test

See Chart A or B. No assets test on basic rate for permanently blind.

Double Orphan Pension (DOP)

Base Rate per fortnight

$ 57.90

No income or assets test.

Education Entry

Education Entry Payment is available to people receiving specific income-support payments, to help with the cost of study. Automatically assessed and paid.

Education Entry Payment

$ 208.00

Family Tax Benefit (FTB) Part A

Rates for each child

Base Rates

Aged under 18 years per fortnight (pf)

$ 54.32

Aged 18-24 years (pf)

$ 0.00

Aged 18-19 secondary student (pf)

$ 54.32

Aged 18-21 years (pf)

$ 0.00

Maximum Rates

Aged under 13 years (pf)

$ 169.68

Aged 13-15 years (pf)

$ 220.64

Aged 16-17 years (pf)

$ 54.32

Aged 18-24 years (pf)

$ 0.00

In approved care Aged 0-24 years (pf)

$ 0.00

Aged 16-19 secondary student (pf)

$ 220.64

Aged 16-17 non secondary student (pf)

$ 54.32

Aged 18-21 non secondary student (pf)

$ 72.80

In approved care Aged 0-21 years (pf)

$ 54.32

FTB Part A Supplement

Supplement for financial year per child

$ 726.35

Income Test

Income Free Area Threshold 1

$ 47,815.00

Higher Income Free Area Threshold 2

$ 94,316.00

Extra Threshold 2 each child after first

$ 3,796.00

Reduction Rate over Threshold 1

0.20

Reduction Rate over Threshold 2

0.30

Dependant Income Limit

$ 13,775.00

Income Test - Child Maintenance Income

Single parent maintenance Threshold

$ 1,445.40

Couple, each receiving maintenance

$ 2,890.80

For each additional child

$ 481.80

Reduction Rate over Threshold

0.50

Assets Test

No assets test.

Family Tax Benefit Part A (contd)

Large Family Supplement

Third and each subsequent child pf

$ 11.76

Income test as for FTB Part A. No assets test.

Multiple Birth Allowance

Basic rate for Triplets per fortnight

$ 140.84

Basic rate for Quadruplets or more pf

$ 187.60

Income test as for FTB Part A. No assets test.

Rent Assistance

Single, 1-2 children

Maximum Payment per fortnight

$ 144.06

No Payment if fortnight Rent under

$ 143.64

Max Payment if fortnight Rent over

$ 335.72

Single, 3 or more

Maximum Payment per fortnight

$ 162.96

No Payment if fortnight Rent under

$ 143.64

Max Payment if fortnight Rent over

$ 360.92

Couple, 1-2 children

Maximum Payment per fortnight

$ 144.06

No Payment if fortnight Rent under

$ 212.66

Max Payment if fortnight Rent over

$ 404.74

Couple, 3 or more children

Maximum Payment per fortnight

$ 162.96

No Payment if fortnight Rent under

$ 212.66

Max Payment if fortnight Rent over

$ 429.94

Income test as for FTB Part A. No assets test.

Schoolkids Bonus

From 1 Jan 2013 Schoolkids Bonus replaces Education Tax Refund. Transitional payment in June 2012.

Payment per Primary School student

$ 410.00

Payment per Secondary School student

$ 820.00

Family Tax Benefit (FTB) Part B

Basic Rates - Age of Youngest Child

Child under 5 years per fortnight

$ 144.34

Child 5-15 (or 16-18 if full student) pf

$ 100.66

Income Test - Lower Income Earner

Lower Income Earner Threshold

$ 5,037

Reduction Rate per $ over Threshold

0.20

Youngest child under 5 Income Cut-off

$ 25,623

Youngest child 5-18 Income Cut-off

$ 19,929

FTB Part B Supplement

Supplement for fin year per family

$ 354.05

Extra Income Test after 1 Jul 2008

Higher Income Earner Cut-off

$ 150,000

Assets Test

No assets test.

Health Care Card (HCC)

Automatic HCC

Automatically issued to people who are not qualified for a Pensioner Concession Card and are receiving one of the following: NSA, PA, SA, SpB, WA, YA, MOB, CA.

PP (partnered) and those receiving max FTB Part A.

Low Income HCC

Available on application to people with income below:

Income Test

Average weekly gross income for 8 weeks prior to application for low income Health Care Card.

Single (no children) per wk

$ 497.00

Couple (no children) combined per wk

$ 862.00

Single (one child) per wk

$ 862.00

Extra Income Limit per child pa

$ 34.00

Assets Test

Not Applicable.

Health Care Card (HCC) via FTB

Card issued every 6 months for those receiving max rate of FTB Part A.

Income Test

Income test as for FTB Part A.

Assets Test

No assets test.

Jobs Education and Training Child Care

Jobs Education and Training Child Care Fee Assistance (JETCCFA) pays some of the gap fee - the difference between the total child care and the amount covered by CCB for eligible parents.

Maternity Immunisation Allowance MIA

MIA will cease from 1 July 2012 as a result of new immunisation arrangements coming into effect.

Basic Rate - Full Amount

$ 0.00

Half paid before child turns 2. Remaining half when child 4 to 5 years old. No income or assets test.

Mobility Allowance (MOB)

Basic Rates

Paid or voluntary work 32 hrs every 4 weeks or more.

Rate per fortnight

$ 87.00

Higher Rates

Working or looking for work 15 hrs per week or more.

Rate per fortnight

$ 121.80

Rent Assistance

Not payable.

Income Test

No income test.

Assets Test

No assets test.

Newstart Allowance (NSA)

From 1 July 2012, minimum eligible age is 22.

Basic Rates

Single, No Children per fortnight

$ 497.00

Single, with Children per fortnight

$ 537.80

Single, over 60 or over per fortnight

$ 537.80

Partnered per fortnight each

$ 448.70

Single, Principal Carer per fortnight

$ 683.50

Couple, Illness Separated per fortnight

$ 537.80

Pharmaceutical Allowance may be paid.

Rent Assistance

See Chart F.

Income Test

See Chart D.

Assets Test

See Chart A.

Parenting Payment (PP)

Basic Rates

Single Parent per fortnight *

$ 683.50

* Includes pension supplement.

Partnered Parent per fortnight

$ 448.70

Illness Separated/in care per fortnight

$ 537.80

Assets Test

See Chart A.

Income Test

Single Parents (with child under 8)

Full pension Income Threshold pf

$ 176.60

Part pension Income Cut-off pf

$ 1,914.35

Additional income per child

$ 24.60

Reduction Rate each $ over threshold

0.40

Partner is not a Pensioner (with child under 6)

Income Threshold 1 per fortnight

$ 62.00

Income Threshold 2 per fortnight

$ 250.00

Reduction Rate between Thresholds

0.50

Reduction Rate Over Threshold 2

0.60

Income Cut-off

$ 842.00

Partner Income Threshold

$ 853.84

Reduction Rate Over Partner Threshold

0.60

Partner Income Cut-off

$ 1,602.50

Combined Income Cut-off

$ 1,695.84

Partner is a Pensioner (with child under 6)

Income Threshold 1 per fortnight

$ 124.00

Income Threshold 2 per fortnight

$ 500.00

Reduction Rate between Thresholds

0.25

Reduction Rate Over Threshold 2

0.30

Combined Income Cut-off

$ 1,707.68

Partner Allowance (PA)

For people with limited work experience who were finding it hard to get work, and had a partner getting an income support payment.

New grants of Partner Allowance stopped on 20 Sep 2003.

Basic Rates

Maximum Rate per fortnight

$ 448.70

Pharmaceutical Allowance may be paid.

Rent Assistance

See Chart F.

Income Test

See Chart D.

Assets Test

See Chart A.

Pensioner Concession Card (PCC)

Automatically issued to people receiving one of the following: AP, DVA pension/widows, DSP, WP, CP, PP (single), BA, WBP).

NSA, YA, PP (partnered) park working capacity or single carer.

Over 60 receiving NSA, PA, WA, PP, SA, Spb.

Pensioner Education Supplement (PES)

Basic Rates

At least 50% study load per fortnight

$ 62.40

At least 25% study load per fortnight

$ 31.20

Income and Assets Test

No income or assets test

Pension Supplement

From 20 Sep 2009 combines the value of Telephone Allowance, Utilities Allowance, the GST Supplement and Pharmaceutical Allowance and an additional amount. Payment is fortnightly with other payments/pensions.

Min Single Supplement pf

$ 32.80

Max Single Supplement pf

$ 61.20

Min Partnered Supplement pf (each)

$ 24.70

Max Partnered Supplement pf (each)

$ 46.10

Pharmaceutical Allowance (PhA)

Pharmaceutical Allowance is automatically paid with most payments.

Single Rate per fortnight

$ 6.20

Couple Rate per fortnight each

$ 3.10

Illness Separated per fortnight each

$ 6.20

Remote Area Allowance (RAA)

Basic Rates

Single Rate per fortnight

$ 18.20

Couple Rate per fortnight each

$ 15.60

For each dependent per fortnight

$ 7.30

Rent Assistance via FTB

Rent Assistance for familes is usually paid with Family Tax Benefit. Rent assistance payable is 75c for each dollar over minimum rent up to the maximum rent.

Single, 1 to 2 children

Maximum Payment per fortnight

$ 144.06

No Payment if fortnight Rent under

$ 143.64

Max Payment if fortnight Rent over

$ 335.72

Single, 3 or more children

Maximum Payment per fortnight

$ 162.96

No Payment if fortnight Rent under

$ 143.64

Max Payment if fortnight Rent over

$ 360.92

Couple, 1 to 2 children

Maximum Payment per fortnight

$ 144.06

No Payment if fortnight Rent under

$ 212.66

Max Payment if fortnight Rent over

$ 404.74

Couple, 3 or more children

Maximum Payment per fortnight

$ 162.96

No Payment if fortnight Rent under

$ 212.66

Max Payment if fortnight Rent over

$ 429.94

Seniors Concession Allowance (SCA)

Replaced by Seniors Supplement Quarterly from 20 Sep 2009.

Annual Rate

$ 0.00

Seniors Supplement

From 20 Sep 2009 replaces Seniors Concession Allowance (SCA) and Telephone (TAL) for CSHC holders.

Single CSHC cardholders per year

$ 852.80

Partnered CSHC cardholders per year

$ 642.20

Paid quarterly - Dec, Mar, Jun and Sep. Non-Taxable.

Sickness Allowance (SA)

Basic Rates

Same as Newstart Allowance.

Single, No Children per fortnight

$ 497.00

Single, with Children per fortnight

$ 537.80

Single, over 60 or over per fortnight

$ 537.80

Partnered per fortnight each

$ 448.70

Pharmaceutical Allowance may also be paid.

Rent Assistance

See Chart F.

Income Test

See Chart D.

Assets Test

See Chart A.

Single Income Family Supplement

Available from 1 July 2013.

Max Single Income Family Supplement

$ 0

Income Test

Primary Income Earner Minimum

$ 0

Primary Income Earner Maximum

$ 0

Secondary Income Earner Maximum

$ 0

Special Benefit (SpB)

Basic Rates

See Newstart Allowance or Youth Allowance.

Rent Assistance

See Newstart Allowance, Sickness Allowance or Youth Allowance.

Income Test

No income free area, benefit reduced by one dollar for each dollar of income.

Assets Test

See Chart A.

Telephone Allowance (TAL)

For CSHC holders, TAL replaced by Seniors Supplement Quarterly from 20 Sep 2009.

Basic Annual Rate

$ 102.40

or Home Internet Annual Rate

$ 153.60

Paid quarterly - Dec, Mar, Jun and Sep.

Utilities Allowance (UA)

Twice a year payment to people of age pension age in receipt of income support, or receiving MAA, PA or WA.

Annual Rate

$ 573.20

Widow Allowance (WA)

Since 1 July 2005, only granted to women born on or before 1 July 1955.

Basic Rates

Same as Newstart Allowance rates. Pharmaceutical Allowance may be paid.

Single, No Children per fortnight

$ 497.00

Single, with Children per fortnight

$ 537.80

Single, over 60 or over per fortnight

$ 537.80

Rent Assistance

See Chart F.

Income Test

See Chart D.

Assets Test

See Chart A.

Widow B Pension (WBP)

Basic Rates

Since 20 March 1997, no new grants.

Basic Rates

Same as Age Pension. Pension Supplement is also paid.

Single Pension per fortnight

$ 733.70

Pension Supplement pf

$ 61.20

Rent Assistance

See Chart F.

Income Test

See Chart C.

Assets Test

See Chart A or B.

Wife Pension (WP)

Since 1 July 1995, no new grants.

Basic Rates

Same as Age Pension. Pension Supplement is also paid.

Wife Pension per fortnight (pf)

$ 553.10

Pension Supplement pf

$ 46.10

Illness Separated

Single Pension per fortnight

$ 733.70

Pension Supplement pf

$ 61.20

Rent Assistance

See Chart F.

Income Test

See Chart C.

Assets Test

See Chart A or B.

Work Bonus

The Work Bonus is an incentive for pensioners of age-pension age to remain in the workforce.

Eligibility

All pensioners over age-pension age (other than recipients of Parenting Payment Single) are eligible for the Work Bonus.

Work Bonus Threshold

As from 1 July 2010 a Work Bonus allows half of any fortnightly employment income to be ignored from the income test up to an income threshold.

Work Bonus income threshold pf

$ 250

As from 1 July 2011 a Work Bonus excludes all income up to threshold from income test and allows for unused thresholds up to Work Bonus Balance.

Work Bonus Balance threshold

$ 6,500

Youth Allowance (YA)

From 1 July 2012, maximum eligible age is 21.

Basic Rates

Single, No Children

Under 18 at home pf

$ 223.00

Under 18 away from home pf

$ 407.50

18 and over away from home pf

$ 407.50

18 and over at home pf

$ 268.20

Single with Children

Single with children pf

$ 533.80

Principal carer granted exemptions pf

$ 683.50

Partnered

Partnered no children pf

$ 407.50

Partnered with children pf

$ 447.40

Special Rates

Long term income support or migrants 21 or over studying English and commencing fulltime study or apprenticeship.

Single at home pf

$ 329.20

Single away from home pf

$ 495.00

Partnered no children pf

$ 447.40

Work for the Dole participants may be eligible for:

Additional Work for Dole Rate pf

$ 20.80

Pharmaceutical Allowance may be paid.

Youth Allowance (contd)

Fares Assistance

Reimbursement of the cost of the cheapest practicable form of public transport, regardless of the transport used.

Rent Assistance

See Chart F.

Parental Income Test

If not independent, rate is reduced by $1 for every $4 over threshold. After parental test, personal income test applies.

Parental Income Threshold

$ 47,815

Additional Threshold (prior to 1 Jul 2010)

For first child under 16

$ 0

For each additional child under 16

$ 0

For each additional child 16 and over (aged 16-24 in full-time study or apprenticeship, 16-20 seeking employment, or under AIC scheme)

$ 0

For a tertiary student away from home (if there are such children in family)

$ 0

Personal Income Test

See Chart D(a).

Assets Test

If not independent

No payment if family assets exceed

$ 627,000

Independent

If independent, see Chart A.

Youth Disability Supplement

Youth Disability Supplement provides additional financial support to young people (under 21) with a physical, intellectual or psychiatric disability who receive certain income-support payments.

Youth Disability Supplement up to pf

$ 115.40

Chart A - Assets Test, Full Payment

Some allowances are not paid if assets exceed threshold. Transitional rates also use these thresholds.

Family Situation

Homeowner

Non Homeowner

Single

$ 192,500

$ 332,000

Couple

$ 273,000

$ 412,500

Illness Separated

$ 273,000

$ 412,500

One Partner Eligible

$ 273,000

$ 412,500

Payment Reduction

Reduction for every $1000 > threshold

$ 1.50

Special Disability Trust

Established for succession planning by immediate family members for the future care and accommodation needs of a person with a severe disability. Exempt from the deprivation provisions.

Gifting Concession

$ 500,000

Exempt from the assets test up to:

Concessional Asset Value Limit

$ 596,500

Extra Allowable Amount for Retirement Village

The Extra Allowable Amount is the difference between the non-homeowner and homeowner assets test limits.

Extra Allowable Amount

$ 139,500

If Entry Contribution is equal to or less than the Extra Allowable Amount, assessed as a non-homeowner. Entry Contribution will count as an asset. May qualify for Rent Assistance.

Funeral Investments

Funeral bonds or funeral funds. Maximum of 2 funeral investments. Exempted from the assets test.

Funeral Investment Threshold

$ 11,500

Chart B - Assets Test, Part Payment

For part pension assets must be less than.

Family Situation

Homeowner

Non Homeowner

Single

$ 731,500

$ 871,000

Couple

$ 1,086,000

$ 1,225,500

Illness Separated

$ 1,351,000

$ 1,490,500

One Partner Eligible

$ 1,086,000

$ 1,225,500

Transitional

Homeowner

Non Homeowner

Single

$ 655,750

$ 795,250

Couple

$ 1,020,500

$ 1,160,000

Illness Separated

$ 1,199,500

$ 1,339,000

One Partner Eligible

$ 1,020,500

$ 1,160,000

Transitional Rules only apply for existing pensions that started prior to 20 Sep 2009.

Disability Support Pensioners aged under 21 with no dependents have different thresholds as shown below.

Disability Support

Homeowner

Non Homeowner

Single-Dependent

16-17 years

$ 422,250

$ 561,750

18-20 years

$ 452,500

$ 592,000

Single-Independent

16-20 years

$ 545,250

$ 684,750

Couple

16-20 years

$ 974,500

$ 1,114,000

Payment Reduction

Reduction for every $1000 > threshold

$ 1.50

Chart C - Income Test for Pensions

(a) Income test for pensions

Family Situation

For full pension (pf) up to

For part pension (pf) less than

Single

$ 152.00

$ 1,768.80

Couple (combined)

$ 268.00

$ 2,705.60

Illness Separated (couple combined)

$ 268.00

$ 3,501.60

(b) Income test for DSP under 21, no children

Family Situation

For full pension (pf) up to

For part pension (pf) less than

16-17 years (home)

$ 152.00

$ 841.20

18-20 years (home)

$ 152.00

$ 931.60

16-20 years (indep)

$ 152.00

$ 1,210.20

Couple (combined)

$ 268.00

$ 2,372.00

(c) Income test for pensions - Transitional Rules

Family Situation

For full pension (pf) up to

For part pension (pf) less than

Single

$ 152.00

$ 1,889.00

Couple (combined)

$ 268.00

$ 3,070.00

Illness Separated (couple combined)

$ 268.00

$ 3,742.00

Transitional Rules only apply for existing pensions that started prior to 20 Sep 2009.

Additional income for each child

$ 24.60

(d) DSP under 21, no children - Saved Status

Family Situation

For full pension (pf) up to

For part pension (pf) less than

16-17 years (home)

$ 152.00

$ 1,013.50

18-20 years (home)

$ 152.00

$ 1,126.50

16-20 years (indep)

$ 152.00

$ 1,474.75

Couple (combined)

$ 268.00

$ 2,898.00

Reduction Rates

Pension payment is reduced for each $ over threshold at the following rates:

Single

Couple

Normal Rules

0.50

0.25

Transitional Rules

0.40

0.20

Chart - Deeming

Deeming assumes financial investments earn a certain rate of income, no matter what income actually earned.

Deeming Rate at or below Threshold %

3.00

Deeming Rate above Threshold %

4.50

Single Threshold $

45,400.00

Pensioner Couple Threshold $

75,600.00

Allowee Couple Threshold $ (each)

37,800.00

Primary Production Attribution Thresholds

Assets Threshold

$ 1,085,500

Income Threshold

$ 47,815

Chart D(a) - Personal Income Test

Youth Allowance, Austudy, ABSTUDY

Student or Apprentice

Full Allowance Income Threshold pf

$ 405.00

Reduction Rate over Threshold

0.50

Higher Reduction Threshold pf

$ 486.00

Higher Reduction Rate over Threshold

0.60

Job Seeker

Full Allowance Income Threshold pf

$ 143.00

Reduction Rate over Threshold

0.50

Higher Reduction Threshold pf

$ 250.00

Higher Reduction Rate over Threshold

0.60

Chart D - Income Test

NSA, WA, PA, SA and MAA.

Family Situation

For full allowance (pf) up to

For part allowance (pf) less than

Single, no children

$ 62.00

$ 935.67

Single, age >=60

$ 62.00

$ 1,015.17

Single, dep. children

$ 62.00

$ 1,004.84

Partnered, each

$ 62.00

$ 853.84

Single, carer of child

$ 62.00

$ 1,799.75

Fortnightly income between $62 and $250 reduces fortnightly allowance by 50 cents in the dollar.

Fortnightly income above $250 reduces fortnightly allowance by 60 cents in the dollar.

Partner fortnightly income which exceeds the cut-out point reduces fortnightly allowance by 60 cents in the dollar. The cut-out point varies for individuals depending on their circumstances.

Chart E - Taxable

Age Pension

Austudy Payment

ABSTUDY Living Allowance

Bereavement Allowance

Carer Payment (if Age Pension age)

Disability Support Pension (if Age Pension age)

Education Entry Payment

Newstart Allowance

Parenting Payment

Partner Allowance

Sickness Allowance

Special Benefit

Widow Allowance

Widow Pension

Wife Pension (if Age Pension age)

Youth Allowance

DVA Age Pension

DVA Service Pension (if Age Pension age)

DVA Income Support Supplement (if not blind/ permanent incapacity)

Chart E (continued) - Non-Taxable

ABSTUDY Supplementary Benefits

Assistance for Isolated Children Scheme Allowances

Baby Bonus

Carer Adjustment Payment

Carer Allowance

Carer Payment (if under Age Pension age)

Child Care Benefit

Crisis Payment

Disability Support Pension (under Age Pension age)

Disability Wage Supplement (under Age Pension age)

Double Orphan Pension

Employment Entry Allowance

Family Tax Assistance Part A

Family Tax Assistance Part B

Fares Allowance

Large Family Supplement

Living Away From Home Allowance

Maternity Immunisation Allowance

Mobility Allowance

Pension Bonus Scheme

Pension Loans Scheme

Pensioner Education Supplement

Pharmaceutical Allowance

Rehabilitation Allowance

Remote Area Allowance (offsets Zone Tax Rebate)

Rent Assistance

Seniors Supplement

Student Financial Supplement Scheme (no longer available)

Telephone Allowance

Utilities Allowance

Wife Pension (if under Age Pension age)

Youth Disability Allowance

Youth Allowance (if under 16 and a student)

DVA Service Pension (if under Age Pension age)

DVA War Widow Pension

DVA Income Support Supplement (blind/ permanent incapacity)

Chart F - Rent Assistance

Rent Assistance for families is usually paid with Family Tax Benefit. Rent assistance payable is 75c for each dollar over minimum rent up to the maximum rent.

Single, no children

Maximum Payment per fortnight

$ 123.00

No Payment if fortnight Rent under

$ 109.20

Max Payment if fortnight Rent over

$ 273.20

Single, no children, sharer

Maximum Payment per fortnight

$ 82.00

No Payment if fortnight Rent under

$ 109.20

Max Payment if fortnight Rent over

$ 218.53

Couple, no children

Maximum Payment per fortnight

$ 115.60

No Payment if fortnight Rent under

$ 177.60

Max Payment if fortnight Rent over

$ 331.73

Couple Illness Separated, no children

Maximum Payment per fortnight

$ 123.00

No Payment if fortnight Rent under

$ 109.20

Max Payment if fortnight Rent over

$ 273.20

Couple Temporary Separated, no children

Maximum Payment per fortnight

$ 115.60

No Payment if fortnight Rent under

$ 109.20

Max Payment if fortnight Rent over

$ 263.33