What single parent payment amounts to

Single parent payment is a fortnightly cash transfer from the Australian government to people raising children alone. The amount you receive depends on your child's age, how many children you have, and your income and assets. There is no single fixed rate — the payment changes based on these factors, and the government adjusts the base rate twice a year.

As of your most recent assessment, Centrelink will have calculated your rate based on the income test and assets test. If you have not received a letter showing your rate, you can view it in your Centrelink online account under "Payments" or call 13 61 50 to ask Centrelink directly what you are receiving and why.

Key Takeaways

  • Single parent payment is paid fortnightly and the amount varies by child age, number of children, and your own income and assets.
  • The base rate is indexed twice yearly, so your payment amount changes in March and September whether or not your circumstances change.
  • If you earn income, Centrelink reduces your payment by 50 cents for every dollar you earn above the free threshold, until the payment reaches zero.
  • You can view your current rate and payment history in your Centrelink online account or by calling 13 61 50.
  • If your circumstances change — you earn more, have another child, or your child turns 16 — you must report it to Centrelink within 14 days or you may be overpaid.

How the income test reduces your payment

Centrelink allows you to earn a certain amount of income before single parent payment starts to reduce. This threshold changes each financial year. Once you earn above the threshold, your payment reduces by 50 cents for every dollar of income you earn.

For example, if the free threshold is $192 per week and you earn $300 per week, you are $108 over the threshold. Centrelink will reduce your payment by $54 per week (50 cents × $108). This reduction continues until your payment reaches zero, which happens when your income is high enough that the reduction equals your full payment amount.

The income test counts wages, self-employment income, rental income, and some other sources. It does not count child support, family tax benefit, or certain other payments. If you are unsure whether a particular income counts, ask Centrelink before you earn it, because you are required to report all income within 14 days of receiving it.

How the assets test affects your rate

Centrelink also checks the value of assets you own — property, savings, vehicles, investments. If your assets are above a certain threshold, your payment reduces. The threshold varies depending on whether you own your home or rent.

The assets test is less common as a reason for payment reduction than the income test, but it matters if you have savings above roughly $11,500 (for a homeowner) or $16,000 (for a renter). If you are close to these thresholds and considering a lump sum payment or inheritance, ask Centrelink how it will affect your rate before you receive the money.

What changes when your child turns 16

Single parent payment continues until your youngest child turns 16. At that point, Centrelink will stop the payment automatically — you do not need to tell them, but you should check your account to confirm the payment has ceased.

When your child turns 16, you may become may be able to access for other payments depending on your age and circumstances. JobSeeker Payment is the main option for people under Age Pension age. Centrelink should contact you before your single parent payment ends to explain what you might be may be able to access for, but do not rely on this — contact them yourself if you have not heard anything by the time your child turns 15.

How to check your current payment rate

The fastest way to see exactly how much you are receiving is to log into your Centrelink online account using myGov. Go to "Payments" and you will see your current fortnightly rate, the date of your next payment, and a payment history showing what you received over the past 13 weeks.

If you do not have an online account, you can call Centrelink on 13 61 50. Have your Customer Reference Number (CRN) ready — it is on any letter Centrelink has sent you. The phone line can be slow, especially early in the week, so consider calling late afternoon or on a Thursday or Friday.

Your payment summary letter, which Centrelink sends when your rate changes, will also show the calculation: the base rate, any reductions due to income or assets, and the final fortnightly amount. If you have lost this letter, you can request a new one through your online account or by phone.

Why your payment might change without you reporting anything

Even if your circumstances stay the same, your single parent payment will change twice a year. Centrelink indexes the base rate in March and September to match inflation. These are automatic increases (or occasionally decreases) that happen to everyone on the payment.

Your payment can also change if Centrelink reviews your income or assets, or if a child support assessment changes. If you receive child support, changes to that amount flow through to Centrelink automatically via the Department of Services Australia, so your payment may adjust without you reporting anything.

Reporting changes to Centrelink within 14 days

You are required to report certain changes to Centrelink within 14 days. The main ones are: a change in your income, a change in your living situation (moving in with a partner, for example), having another child, or your child leaving your care.

Report changes through your online account, by phone on 13 61 50, or in person at a Centrelink office. If you do not report within 14 days, Centrelink may overpay you and ask for the money back later. If you report late but before Centrelink discovers the change, you usually avoid a debt, but this is not may provide — report as soon as you know.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I earn money and still get single parent payment?

Yes. You can earn up to a free threshold each week without your payment reducing. Above that, your payment reduces by 50 cents for every dollar you earn. Many people on single parent payment work part-time and receive a reduced payment. The exact threshold changes each financial year, so check with Centrelink what it is for your current assessment period.

What happens if I move in with a partner?

You must report this to Centrelink within 14 days. If you are in a relationship, you are no longer considered a single parent and single parent payment will stop. You may become may be able to access for other payments depending on your partner's income, but you cannot receive both single parent payment and be in a relationship.

Does child support count as income for the payment test?

No. Child support payments you receive are not counted as income under the income test, so they do not reduce your single parent payment. However, Centrelink does track child support for other reasons, and changes to a child support assessment can affect your rate through other mechanisms.

Why is my payment different from my friend's payment?

Because the amount depends on your child's age, how many children you have, your income, your assets, and when your last assessment was. Two people on single parent payment will almost never receive the same amount unless their circumstances are identical. The only way to know why yours differs is to check your payment summary letter or ask Centrelink to explain your rate.

What if I think Centrelink has calculated my rate wrong?

Contact Centrelink on 13 61 50 and ask them to explain the calculation. Have your payment summary letter in front of you. If you disagree with the decision, you can request a review. Centrelink will send you a formal notice explaining how to ask for a review and the important date to do so — usually 13 weeks from the date of the decision.