Aaron Bell
Mary Flory
Rent assistance is a tax-free payment available to some individuals who already receive government support. The amount you can receive will depend on your financial situation and how much rent you pay. Based on these circumstances, Centrelink will send money to your nominated bank account for the purpose of paying your rent.
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How much is rent assistance?
According to Services Australia, there’s a minimum amount of rent you need to pay to get rent assistance. For every $1 of rent you pay above this amount, you’ll get 75c. You can’t get more than the maximum amount.
Through the Centrelink app, you are able to lodge your income, rent and other individual information which Centrelink verifies before paying your rent assistance to your nominated bank account.
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How to get rent assistance
Rent assistance is available to those who already receive certain Centrelink payments. If you are eligible to receive rent assistance, you will need to provide proof that you are renting (usually in the form of uploading a lease agreement or rent certificate).
Who can get rent assistance?
You can get Rent Assistance if you pay rent and you’re getting:
- Age Pension, Carer Payment or Disability Support Pension
- ABSTUDY Living Allowance, Austudy or Youth Allowance
- Special Benefit
- Family Tax Benefit – Part A at more than the base rate
- Parenting Payment partnered and single
- JobSeeker Payment or Farm Household Allowance.
You must also pay one of the following:
- Rent
- Fees in a retirement village
- Lodging
- Board and lodging
- Site or mooring fees if your main home is a caravan, relocatable home or boat.
How to apply for rent assistance
You do not need to submit a claim to get rent assistance. Ensure your living details are up to date and Centrelink will determine if you are eligible.
If you do not already receive financial support from Centrelink, you need to submit a new claim. This claim will be considered as well as other payments you may be eligible to receive including rent assistance.
It’s important to always update your details, as changes to your situation can influence your claim and the amount you receive.
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How much rental assistance can I get?
If you already receive a Centrelink payment, the amount you receive will depend on your situation.
Rent assistance rates
Rent Assistance rates that apply if you receive the payment with an income support payment or ABSTUDY:
| If you’re | Your fortnightly rent is more than | To get the maximum payment your fortnightly rent is at least | The maximum fortnightly payment is |
| Single | $143.40 | $389.80 | $184.80 |
| Single, sharer | $143.40 | $307.67 | $123.20 |
| Couple combined | $232.40 | $464.40 | $174.00 |
| One of a couple separated due to illness | $143.40 | $389.80 | $184.80 |
| One of a couple temporarily separated | $143.40 | $375.40 | $174.00 |
Rates when paid with Family Tax Benefit:
| If you’re | Your fortnightly rent is more than | To get the maximum payment your fortnightly rent is at least | The maximum fortnightly payment is |
| Single, with 1 or 2 children | $188.44 | $478.15 | $217.28 |
| One of a couple separated due to illness or temporarily separated, with 1 or 2 children | $188.44 | $478.15 | $217.28 |
| A couple, with 1 or 2 children | $278.46 | $568.17 | $217.28 |
| Single, with 3 or more children | $188.44 | $515.67 | $245.42 |
| One of a couple separated due to illness or temporarily separated, with 3 or more children | $188.44 | $515.67 | $245.42 |
| A couple, with 3 or more children | $278.46 | $605.69 | $245.42 |
Centrelink updates rent assistance rates on 20 March and 20 September each year in line with the Consumer Price Index.
Special rules apply if you are a single sharer or pay board and lodging. The single sharer rate applies if you are eligible and you are single, have no dependent children or live in shared private accommodation. For more information on special circumstances visit the Services Australia rent assistance site.
Payment adjustments
Centrelink may adjust your Rent Assistance if any of these things happen:
- The rent you pay increases or decreases
- You move house
- Your income increases or decreases
- Your family circumstances change, for example you separate from your partner, or the number of children in your care changes
- The payment rates change during the year.
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