Work out your Commonwealth Rent Assistance from 20 September 2026. You get 75 cents for every dollar of rent above a threshold, up to a maximum that depends on your situation.
Key facts
- From 20 September 2026 Rent Assistance pays 75 cents for every dollar of fortnightly rent above a threshold, up to a maximum.
- Single, no children: rent above $157.80 a fortnight, maximum $223.80 from rent of $456.20.
- Couple, no children: rent above $255.80, maximum $211.00.
- Families with 3 or more children can get up to $297.36 a fortnight.
- It's paid on top of another payment, not on its own. Rates change every 20 March and 20 September; next on 20 March 2027.
How it's worked out
- Convert your rent to a fortnightly amount (weekly rent × 2, monthly rent × 12 ÷ 26).
- Subtract the rent threshold for your situation.
- Multiply what's left by 0.75.
- Cap it at the maximum for your situation.
Rent Assistance rates from 20 September 2026
With an income support payment (no children)
| Fortnightly amounts | Rent above | Maximum from rent of | Maximum payment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single | $157.80 | $456.20 | $223.80 |
| Single, sharing accommodation | $157.80 | $356.74 | $149.20 |
| Couple (combined) | $255.80 | $537.14 | $211.00 |
| One of a couple separated due to illness, respite care or prison | $157.80 | $456.20 | $223.80 |
| One of a couple temporarily separated | $157.80 | $439.14 | $211.00 |
With Family Tax Benefit (dependent children)
| Fortnightly amounts | Rent above | Maximum from rent of | Maximum payment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single, 1 or 2 children | $207.34 | $558.09 | $263.06 |
| Single, 3 or more children | $207.34 | $603.82 | $297.36 |
| Couple, 1 or 2 children | $306.60 | $657.35 | $263.06 |
| Couple, 3 or more children | $306.60 | $703.08 | $297.36 |
| One of a couple separated (illness, respite care, prison or temporarily), 1 or 2 children | $207.34 | $558.09 | $263.06 |
| One of a couple separated (illness, respite care, prison or temporarily), 3 or more children | $207.34 | $603.82 | $297.36 |
You get nothing until your rent is above the first amount, and the full maximum once your rent reaches the second.
Rent Assistance by weekly rent
| Rent a week | Single | Single sharer | Couple | Single, 1–2 kids | Couple, 1–2 kids |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $200 | $181.65 | $149.20 | $108.15 | $144.50 | $70.05 |
| $250 | $223.80 | $149.20 | $183.15 | $219.50 | $145.05 |
| $300 | $223.80 | $149.20 | $211.00 | $263.06 | $220.05 |
| $350 | $223.80 | $149.20 | $211.00 | $263.06 | $263.06 |
| $400 | $223.80 | $149.20 | $211.00 | $263.06 | $263.06 |
| $450 | $223.80 | $149.20 | $211.00 | $263.06 | $263.06 |
| $500 | $223.80 | $149.20 | $211.00 | $263.06 | $263.06 |
Rent Assistance a fortnight. Singles and couples here have no children (income support rates); the families get it with Family Tax Benefit Part A.
Who can get it
Rent Assistance is paid automatically on top of an eligible payment: the Age Pension, JobSeeker, Youth Allowance, Austudy, ABSTUDY Living Allowance, Carer Payment, the Disability Support Pension, Parenting Payment, Special Benefit, Farm Household Allowance, or Family Tax Benefit Part A above the base rate. Special rules apply to some payments if you're 25 or younger.
You need to pay rent, lodging or board and lodging, retirement village or over-55s village fees, or site or mooring fees. Renting from a state or territory housing authority doesn't count. If you pay board and lodging and can't say what the lodging part is, two thirds of the total counts as rent.
For pensions and Family Tax Benefit, Rent Assistance is part of the payment that the income test reduces, so a higher income can reduce it. The amounts here are the most you can get.
Common questions
How much Rent Assistance can I get?
From 20 September 2026, up to $223.80 a fortnight for a single person with no children, $211.00 for a couple, and up to $297.36 for families with three or more children. You get 75 cents for each dollar of rent above the threshold until you reach the maximum.
How is Rent Assistance calculated?
Take your fortnightly rent, subtract the threshold for your situation (for a single person $157.80), and multiply by 0.75. The result is capped at the maximum. For example, a single person paying $400 a week ($800 a fortnight) gets the maximum $223.80.
Can I get Rent Assistance on its own?
No. It's paid automatically on top of another payment, such as JobSeeker, Youth Allowance, Austudy, the Age Pension, the Disability Support Pension or Family Tax Benefit Part A above the base rate. Renting from a state or territory housing authority doesn't count.
What is the single sharer rate?
A lower maximum ($149.20 a fortnight) for single people with no children who share private accommodation and get certain payments, including JobSeeker, Youth Allowance, Austudy and the Age Pension.
When does Rent Assistance go up?
It's indexed to the CPI every 20 March and 20 September. The next change is on 20 March 2027.
See also the Age Pension rates and the pay calculator.
Sources: Services Australia, How much Rent Assistance you can get, Who can get Rent Assistance and Rent and accommodation types. Checked 21 October 2026. General information only; Services Australia works out your actual payment.