Aged Care Pensions

Payment rates for Age Pension

These Age Pension payment rates are effective from 1 January 2012.

An income and assets[1] test will be used to work out how much you can get.

Status	Pension rate per fortnight
Single	$689.00*
Couple	$519.40* each

*These amounts exclude the Pension Supplement[2] amount which is currently a maximum of $58.40 a fortnight for singles and $88.00 a fortnight for couples (combined).

• Customers in receipt of a pension on 19 September 2009 may be assessed under transitional arrangements and be eligible for different rates of payment.
• If you and your partner are separated because of illness, you may be paid at the single rate. Your combined income and assets will be used to work out your rates.
• You may receive the single rate of Age Pension if your partner is in prison or a psychiatric hospital.
• You may be eligible for the couple rate of Age Pension even if your partner is not receiving a pension, benefit or allowance.
• If you receive Age Pension you may qualify for other benefits[3].

Payment adjustments and reviews

From time to time, your Age Pension payment is reviewed. If you are getting Age Pension, the amount you receive may be adjusted because your or your partner's circumstances change. This may include a change in your income, moving house or separating from your partner.

Age Pension is usually adjusted twice a year in line with increases in the cost of living.

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Rent Assistance rates if you do not have dependent children

These payment rates are effective from 1 January 2012.

Family situation	Maximum payment per fortnight	No payment if your fortnightly rent is less than	Maximum payment if your fortnightly rent is more than
Single, no children	$119.40	$106.20	$265.40
Single, no children, sharer	$79.60	$106.20	$212.33
Couple, no children	$112.60	$172.80	$322.93
One of a couple who are separated due to illness, no children*	$119.40	$106.20	$265.40
One of a couple who are temporarily separated, no children	$112.60	$106.20	$256.33

* Includes respite care and partner in prison.

Rent Assistance rates if you have dependent children

If you have dependent children, you will usually get Rent Assistance with Family Tax Benefit Part A[1].

Family situation	Maximum payment per fortnight	No payment if your fortnightly rent is less than	Maximum payment if your fortnightly rent is more than
Single, 1 or 2 children	$140.14	$139.72	$326.57
Single, 3 or more children	$158.48	$139.72	$351.03
Couple, 1 or 2 children	$140.14	$206.78	$393.63
Couple, 3 or more children	$158.48	$206.78	$418.09

 

Special rules apply if you are a single sharer, pay board and lodging or live in a retirement village.

Payment adjustments

If you are getting Rent Assistance, the amount you receive may be adjusted because:

• the amount you pay for your accommodation changes
• a family member's or your circumstances change. This may include your income increasing, moving to a new house or separating from your partner
• the maximum rate of payment changes. Rent Assistance is usually adjusted twice a year in line with the Consumer Price Index.

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How much Telephone Allowance do I get?

These payment rates are effective from 1 January 2012.

Telephone Allowance is paid quarterly with the first regular Centrelink payment you receive on or after 1 January, 20 March, 1 July and 20 September.

Telephone Allowance	Amount per quarter
Basic rate (single or couple combined)	$25.20
Higher rate (single or couple combined)	$37.80

Note: Any concessions or discounts your telephone or internet service provider may offer are not related to Telephone Allowance.

Taxation

Telephone Allowance is not taxed.

Income and assets tests

To qualify for Telephone Allowance, you do not have to meet income or assets tests.

Payment adjustments and reviews

Telephone Allowance is usually adjusted on 20 September each year in line with the Consumer Price Index - that is, in line with increases in the costs of living.

From time to time, your eligibility for Telephone Allowance may be reviewed.

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How much Utilities Allowance do I get?

These payment rates for Utilities Allowance are effective from 1 January 2012.

Payments are made in 4 instalments and usually paid with your first regular Centrelink payment following the qualification dates of 20 March, 20 June, 20 September and 20 December each year.

If you are	Quarterly payment
Single	$139.40
Couple	$69.70 (each)

Taxation

Utilities Allowance is not taxed.

Payment adjustments and reviews

Utilities Allowance is usually adjusted on 20 March and 20 September each year in line with the Consumer Price Index - that is, in line with increases in the costs of living.

From time to time, your eligibility for Utilities Allowance may be reviewed.

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How much Remote Area Allowance do I get?

These payment rates for Remote Area Allowance are effective from 1 January 2012.

If you are	The fortnightly payment is
Single	$18.20
Couple	$15.60 each
Plus	$7.30 for each dependant child

Taxation

Remote Area Allowance is not taxed.

Income and assets tests

To receive Remote Area Allowance you do not have to meet income or assets tests.

Zone tax offset

If you receive Remote Area Allowance, the amount of the zone tax offset you would usually receive is reduced dollar-for-dollar.

Payment reviews

Your Remote Area Allowance is reviewed if you change address.

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How much Carer Allowance (caring for a person 16 years or over) do I get?

This payment rate of Carer Allowance (caring for a person 16 years or over) is effective from 1 January 2012.

The rate of Carer Allowance is $114 per fortnight.

If you are receiving a Carer Allowance payment on 1 July each year from 2010, you also receive an annual Carer Supplement of up to $600 for each person in your care who qualifies you for Carer Allowance.

Back payment

You may qualify for back payment of Carer Allowance for up to 12 weeks before you lodge your claim if, for example, the person you care for unexpectedly had a stroke, brain injury or heart attack.

Income and assets

You do not have to meet income or assets tests to receive Carer Allowance.

Shared care

If you share the caring role with someone who is not your partner, you may both be eligible for some Carer Allowance.

Tax

You do not have to pay tax on Carer Allowance.

Payment adjustments and reviews

Carer Allowance is usually adjusted on 1 January each year in line with the Consumer Price Index - that is, in line with increases in the costs of living.

From time to time, your Carer Allowance is reviewed. The amount you receive may be adjusted because the circumstances of you or the person you care for have changed - for example, another person also provides care or the person stops needing your care.

The person you care for will generally be reviewed every 2 years to check whether there are any changes to their medical condition.

Note: If the person you are caring for has a severe disability or medical condition and requires high care, they are unlikely to have many medical reviews.

 

Pension types

A range of pensions are available depending on your circumstances. Pensions available through the Department of Veterans' Affairs include:

• Disability pension
• Service pension
• War widows pension and orphans pension
• Income support supplement
• Special Rate Disability Pension (MRCA)
• Age pension