The single parent payment is Parenting Payment Single, paid by Services Australia to the main carer of a young child. Here's how much it is, who can get it and how income affects it.
Key facts
- The single parent payment is Parenting Payment Single: up to $1,037.50 plus Pension Supplement of $30.70 a fortnight (from 20 September 2026), plus Energy Supplement.
- You must be single and the principal carer of a child under 14, meet the residence rules, and pass the income and assets tests.
- Mutual obligation requirements apply once your youngest child turns 6.
- The payment reduces by 40 cents for each dollar of income over $232.60 a fortnight with one child (more with more children). Above $2,950.60 a fortnight nothing is paid; the cut-off rises by $24.60 for each child after the first.
- When your youngest child turns 14 it stops; you may move to JobSeeker Payment, and you keep a Pensioner Concession Card for 12 weeks.
How much you can get
| Your situation | Maximum a fortnight |
|---|---|
| Single | $1,037.50 plus Pension Supplement of $30.70 |
You also get Energy Supplement, and may get Rent Assistance. Amounts may differ if you're over Age Pension age.
Who can get it
- You're single and the principal carer of a child under 14.
- You meet the residence rules.
- Your income and assets are under the limits.
- From when your youngest turns 6, you meet mutual obligation requirements.
Income test
Your payment reduces by 40 cents for every dollar of income over the free area for your number of children.
| Number of children | Income free area a fortnight |
|---|---|
| 1 | $232.60 |
| 2 | $257.20 |
| 3 | $281.80 |
| More than 3 | $281.80 plus $24.60 for each extra child |
Assets test
| Your situation | Homeowner | Non-homeowner |
|---|---|---|
| Single | $333,000 | $600,000 |
Common questions
How much is the single parent payment?
Up to $1,037.50 plus Pension Supplement of $30.70 a fortnight from 20 September 2026, plus Energy Supplement, before the income and assets tests. You may also get Family Tax Benefit and Rent Assistance.
What age does the single parent payment stop?
When your youngest child turns 14. Mutual obligations start when they turn 6.
How much can I earn on Parenting Payment Single?
Your payment starts to reduce above $232.60 a fortnight with one child, $257.20 with two and $281.80 with three, by 40 cents in the dollar. Above $2,950.60 a fortnight nothing is paid; the cut-off rises by $24.60 for each child after the first.
What is the assets limit?
Parenting Payment Single stops if your assets are more than $333,000 as a homeowner or $600,000 if you don't own your home.
Is Parenting Payment the same as Family Tax Benefit?
No. Parenting Payment is an income support payment for the main carer; Family Tax Benefit is a separate family payment that many single parents get as well.
See also Parenting Payment rates (single and partnered), the Family Tax Benefit calculator, the Child Care Subsidy calculator and the Pensioner Concession Card.
Sources: Services Australia how much parenting payment you can get, income and assets tests for parenting payment and who can get Parenting Payment. Checked 22 October 2026.