Aged Care Pensions

From 20 September 2008

Contact your nearest Centrelink Customer Service Centre to confirm your eligibility and discuss your specific situation.

Payment rates for Age Pension

The Age Pension payment rates for 2008 listed below are a guide only.

Note: The payment rates include a pension supplement that is currently $18.80 for singles, and $15.80 each for couples.

• 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 imprisoned or in psychiatric confinement.
• 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 additional payments and benefits.

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 the Consumer Price Index.

Rent Assistance rates if you have no dependent children

* 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.

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

Payments adjustments and reviews

From time to time, your Rent Assistance may be reviewed. 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 (CPI).

How much Telephone Allowance do I get?

The basic rate, effective from 20 September 2008, is $23 paid every three months to qualified income support recipients or Commonwealth Seniors Health Card holders.

The higher rate, effective from 20 September 2008, is $34.60 paid every three months to qualilfied income support recipients or Commonwealth Seniors Health Card holders.

If the telephone or internet service is in joint names the amount payable is split between you.

Telephone Allowance is a non-taxable payment and:

• is not subject to an income or assets test.

It is paid on the first pension payday, or with the first payment you get on or after the following dates each year:

• 1 January
• 20 March
• 1 July
• 20 September

Please note: the quarterly payment of Telephone Allowance is not related to any concessions or discounts offered by your telephone or internet service provider.

How much Utilities Allowance do I get?

This payment rate is effective from 20 September 2008.

Utilities Allowance is a non-taxable payment.

The annual rate is $257 per member of a couple and $514 for single people (or members of a couple separated by illness). It is paid in 4 instalments over a 12 month period to qualified income support payment recipients.

• This payment is not subject to a separate income test.
• This payment is not subject to a separate assets test.

Quarterly payments of Utilities Allowance will be made with your first regular Centrelink payment after the date that you qualify, and after the following dates each year:

• 20 March
• 20 June
• 20 September, and
• 20 December

Further information can be found on the More support for older Australians, people with disabilities and carers page.

How much Remote Area Allowance do I get?

Payment rates appear below as a guide only and are effective from 20 September 2008. Contact your nearest Centrelink Customer Service Centre for a personal assessment.

The amount Remote Area Allowance paid reduces, on a dollar for dollar basis, the amount of the Income Zone Tax Offset you would otherwise receive.

• This payment is not subject to an income test.
• This payment is not subject to an assets test.

Remote Area Allowance is a non-taxable fortnightly payment of:

• Single: $18.20
• Couple: $15.60 each
• Plus $7.30 for each dependent

If you share care of a child for at least 14 per cent of the time (two or more nights per fortnight), you may be eligible for Rent Assistance, a Health Care Card, Remote Area Allowance, Child Care Benefit and access to the lower threshold of the Medicare Safety Net.

How much Carer Allowance (adult) do I get?

This payment rate is effective from 20 September 2008.

• This payment is not subject to an income test.
• This payment is not subject to an assets test.

Carer Allowance (adult) payment rates

Carer Allowance (adult) Rate Per Fortnight: $100.60

Please Note: In special circumstances, you may be able to get back payment of Carer Allowance (adult) for up to 12 weeks prior to the claim being lodged, provided the care needs were caused by an acute event i.e the illness or injury occurred unexpectedly e.g. stroke, brain injury or heart attack. To find out more, telephone Centrelink Disability, Sickness and Carers line on 13 2717.

Accessing Online Services

To register or find out more about your payments, go to Online Services.