A Centrelink advance lets you get part of your payment early and repay it over 13 fortnights. From 20 September 2026 pensioners can get up to $1,764.15 (single) or $1,329.90 (each member of a couple), and people on JobSeeker, Youth Allowance, Austudy or Parenting Payment between $250 and $500.
Key facts
- Age Pension, DSP and Carer Payment: $588.05 to $1,764.15 single, $443.30 to $1,329.90 each for a couple, in any 6 months.
- JobSeeker, Parenting Payment, Youth Allowance, Austudy and ABSTUDY: $250 to $500, once in 12 months.
- Family Tax Benefit Part A: advances up to a total of $1,430.46.
- You repay the advance over 13 fortnights; each repayment is the advance divided by 13.
- For most payments you need to have been getting the payment for at least 3 months.
How much you can get
Advance amounts from 20 September 2026
| Payment | Lowest | Highest |
|---|---|---|
| Age Pension, DSP, Carer Payment, single | $588.05 | $1,764.15 |
| Age Pension, DSP, Carer Payment, each member of a couple | $443.30 | $1,329.90 |
| JobSeeker, Parenting Payment, Youth Allowance, Austudy, ABSTUDY | $250 | $500 |
| Farm Household Allowance | $250 | $500 |
| Special Employment Advance | $50 | $500 |
Pensioners on a part rate, or under 21 on DSP, get an amount based on the pension they're paid. FTB Part A advances can total up to $1,430.46.
Repaying an advance
Repayments start from your next payment and are taken out automatically: the advance divided by 13, each fortnight for 13 fortnights. You can repay faster online or by phone.
When you can't get one
You can't get an advance if you already had one in the past 12 months (for allowances such as JobSeeker), are still repaying one from more than 12 months ago, owe a debt to the government, can't repay within 6 months, or are outside Australia.
Common questions
How much can I get as a Centrelink advance?
From 20 September 2026, up to $1,764.15 if you're a single pensioner, $1,329.90 each for a pensioner couple, and $500 on JobSeeker, Youth Allowance, Austudy or Parenting Payment.
How is a Centrelink advance paid back?
Over 13 fortnights. Each fortnight Services Australia takes out the advance divided by 13 from your payment.
How often can I get an advance?
Pensioners can get one advance at the highest amount, two smaller ones or three at the lowest amount in any 6 months. People on JobSeeker and similar payments can get one every 12 months.
Other payments: JobSeeker · Youth Allowance & Austudy · Parenting Payment · DSP · Carer Payment · Family Tax Benefit · Parental Leave Pay · Concession cards · Pensioner Concession Card · Medicare Safety Net · Carer Allowance · Crisis Payment · Deeming rates · Newborn payments · Age Pension · Rent Assistance. Back to all Centrelink payment rates.
Source: Services Australia, Advance payment (pages last updated 20 September 2026). Checked 21 October 2026. General information only; Services Australia works out your actual payment.