About FaHCSIA 

Rates Indexation September 2010 


Pensions - basic rates and other amounts

Adult Pension Basic Rates
    Previous Amount 20 Sept 2010 Increase  
Single Base $644.20 $658.40 $14.20 pf
  Supplement $56.90 $57.70 $0.80 pf
  Total $701.10 $716.10 $15.00 pf
Partnered (ea) Base $485.60 $496.30 $10.70 pf
  Supplement $42.90 $43.50 $0.60 pf
  Total $528.50 $539.80 $11.30 pf
Adult Transitional Basic Rate
Family Situation - Resident in Australia   Previous Amount 20 Sept 2010 Increase  
  Single   $634.30 $643.80 $9.50 pf
  Partnered (ea)   $512.30 $520.00 $7.70 pf
Family Situation - Not Resident in Australia or absent for period > 13 weeks
  Single   $581.80 $590.50 $8.70 pf
  Partnered (ea)   $486.00 $493.30 $7.30 pf
Adult Pension Supplement Basic Amount
Family Situation   Previous Amount 20 Sept 2010 Increase  
  Single   $19.90 $20.20 $0.30 pf
  Illness separated, respite care or partner in gaol   $19.90 $20.20 $0.30 pf
  Partnered (ea)   $16.60 $16.80 $0.20 pf
Adult Pension Supplement Minimum Amount
Family Situation   Previous Amount 20 Sept 2010 Increase  
  Single   $30.60 $31.00 $0.40 pf
  Illness separated, respite care or partner in gaol   $30.60 $31.00 $0.40 pf
  Partnered (ea)   $23.10 $23.40 $0.30 pf
Pension Disqualifying Income Limits
Family Situation   Previous Amount 20 Sept 2010 Increase  
  Single   $1,548.20 $1,578.20 $30.00 pf
  Single + 1 child   $1,548.20 $1,578.20 $30.00 pf
  Couple (combined)   $2,370.00 $2,415.20 $45.20 pf
  Illness separated couple (combined)   $3,060.40 $3,120.40 $60.00 pf
Transitional Disqualifying Income Limits
Family Situation - Resident in Australia   Previous Amount 20 Sept 2010 Increase  
  Single   $1,731.75 $1,755.50 $23.75 pf
  Single + 1 child   $1,756.35 $1,780.10 $23.75 pf
  Couple (combined)   $2,817.50 $2,856.00 $38.50 pf
  Illness separated couple (combined)   $3,427.50 $3,475.00 $47.50 pf
Family Situation - Not Resident in Australia or absent for period > 13 weeks
  Single   $1,600.50 $1,622.25 $21.75 pf
  Single + 1 child   $1,625.10 $1,646.85 $21.75 pf
  Couple (combined)   $2,686.00 $2,722.50 $36.50 pf
  Illness separated couple (combined)   $3,165.00 $3,208.50 $43.50 pf
Pension Disqualifying Assets Limits
Family Situation Previous Amount 20 Sept 2010 Increase
  Single, homeowner $649,250 $659,250 $10,000
  Single, non-homeowner $780,750 $790,750 $10,000
  Couple, homeowner (combined) $963,000 $978,000 $15,000
  Couple, non-homeowner (combined) $1,094,500 $1,109,500 $15,000
  One partner eligible, homeowner $963,000 $978,000 $15,000
  One partner eligible, non-homeowner $1,094,500 $1,109,500 $15,000
  Illness separated couple, homeowner $1,193,000 $1,213,000 $20,000
  Illness separated couple, non-homeowner $1,324,500 $1,344,500 $20,000
Transitional Rate Pension Disqualifying Assets Limits
Family Situation - Resident in Australia Previous Amount 20 Sept 2010 Increase
  Single, homeowner $604,750 $611,000 $6,250
  Single, non-homeowner $736,250 $742,500 $6,250
  Couple, homeowner (combined) $941,500 $951,500 $10,000
  Couple, non-homeowner (combined) $1,073,000 $1,083,000 $10,000
  One partner eligible, homeowner $941,500 $951,500 $10,000
  One partner eligible, non-homeowner $1,073,000 $1,083,000 $10,000
  Illness separated couple, homeowner $1,104,000 $1,116,500 $12,500
  Illness separated couple, non-homeowner $1,235,500 $1,248,000 $12,500
Family Situation - Not Resident in Australia or absent for period > 13 weeks
  Single, homeowner $569,750 $575,500 $5,750
  Single, non-homeowner $701,250 $707,000 $5,750
  Couple, homeowner (combined) $906,000 $916,000 $10,000
  Couple, non-homeowner (combined) $1,037,500 $1,047,500 $10,000
  One partner eligible, homeowner $906,000 $916,000 $10,000
  One partner eligible, non-homeowner $1,037,500 $1,047,500 $10,000
  Illness separated couple, homeowner $1,034,000 $1,045,500 $11,500
  Illness separated couple, non-homeowner $1,165,500 $1,177,000 $11,500
Pension Bonus Scheme
Single
Years (Bonus Periods) Previous Amount 20 Sept 2010 Increase
  1 $1,623.10 $1,658.50 $35.40
  2 $6,492.20 $6,634.00 $141.80
  3
    $14,607.50
    $14,926.50
 $319.00
  4
    $25,969.00
    $26,536.00
 $567.00
  5
    $40,576.50
    $41,462.50
 $886.00
Partnered (ea)
Years (Bonus Periods) Previous Amount 20 Sept 2010 Increase
  1
    $1,227.40
    $1,254.00
 $26.60
  2
    $4,909.50
    $5,016.10
 $106.60
  3
    $11,046.40
    $11,286.10
 $239.70
  4
    $19,638.00
    $20,064.30
 $426.30
  5
    $30,684.40
    $31,350.40
 $666.00

Closed to new entrants who did not qualify for Age Pension before 20 September 2009

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Allowances^ - basic rates and other amounts

^Including Newstart Allowance, Widow Allowance, Partner Allowance and Sickness Allowance

Allowance Rates
Family Situation Previous Amount 20 Sept 2010 Increase  
  Single, 21 or over, no children $462.80 $469.70 $6.90 pf
  Single, 21 or over, with children $500.70 $508.20 $7.50 pf
  Single, 60 or over, after 9 months (PhA incl.) $506.70 $514.20 $7.50 pf
  Partnered (each) $417.70 $424.00 $6.30 pf
  Single, principal carer of child, exempt from activity test* $601.30 $611.90 $10.60 pf
* Rate includes amount of Pension Supplement (for under Age Pension age recipients)
Allowance Supplement Amount (if over Age Pension age)
Family Situation Previous Amount 20 Sept 2010 Increase  
  Single Allowance Supplement $56.90 $57.70 $0.80 pf
  Partnered Allowance Supplement $42.90 $43.50 $0.60 pf
Youth Allowance Rates
Family Situation Previous Amount 20 Sept 2010 Increase  
  Single, principal carer of child, exempt from activity test* $601.30 $611.90 $10.60 pf

* Rate includes amount of Pension Supplement (for under Age Pension age recipients)

Allowance Disqualifying Income Limit#
Family Situation Previous Amount 20 Sept 2010 Increase  
  Single, 21 or over, no children $864.67 $876.17 $11.50 pf
  Single, 21 or over, with children $927.84 $940.34 $12.50 pf
  Single, 60 or over, after 9 months (PhA incl.) $937.84 $950.34 $12.50 pf
  Partnered (each) $789.50 $800.00 $10.50 pf
  Single, principal carer of child, exempt from activity test $1,095.50 $1,113.17 $17.67 pf

# Income limits for Allowance recipients of over Age Pension age may differ from these amounts

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Parenting Payment - basic rates and other amounts

Parenting Payment Basic Rates
Under Age Pension age Previous Amount 20 Sept 2010 Increase  
  Single Parents (includes supplement) $601.30 $611.90 $10.60 pf
  Partnered Parents $417.70 $424.00 $6.30 pf
Over Age Pension age Previous Amount 20 Sept 2010 Increase  
  Single Parent Base Rate of Pension $581.40 $591.70 $10.30 pf
  Supplement Amount $56.90 $57.70 $0.80 pf
  Total $638.30 $649.40 $11.10 pf
  Partnered Base Rate of Allowance $417.70 $424.00 $6.30 pf
  Supplement Amount $42.90 $43.50 $0.60 pf
  Total $460.60 $467.50 $6.90 pf
Income limits for for Parenting Payment#
Partnered   Previous Amount 20 Sept 2010 Increase  
  Partner's Free Area   $790.00 $800.00 $10.00 pf
For part payment of additional rate all of the following conditions must be met:
  - customer's income must be less than $789.50 $800.00 $10.50 pf
  - partner's income must be less than $1,486.17 $1,506.67 $20.50 pf
  - combined income must be less than $1,579.50 $1,600.00 $20.50 pf
If partner is on pension,
  couples combined income must be less than $1,579.00 $1,600.00 $21.00 pf
Single
  - under Age Pension age $1,673.85 $1,700.35 $26.50 pf
  - under Age Pension age (PhA incl.) $1,688.85 $1,715.35 $26.50 pf

# Income limits for Allowance recipients of over Age Pension age may differ from these amounts

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Rent Assistance - rates for payments under the Social Security Act

Maximum payment per fortnight
Family Situation Previous Amount 20 Sept 2010 Increase  
  Single, no children $113.40 $115.20 $1.80 pf
  Single, no children, sharer $75.60 $76.80 $1.20 pf
  Couple, no children $107.00 $108.60 $1.60 pf
  Partnered, illness separated, no children $113.40 $115.20 $1.80 pf
  Partnered, temporarily separated, no children $107.00 $108.60 $1.60 pf
No payment if your fortnightly rent is less than
Family Situation Previous Amount 20 Sept 2010 Increase  
  Single, no children $100.80 $102.40 $1.60 pf
  Single, no children, sharer $100.80 $102.40 $1.60 pf
  Couple, no children $164.40 $166.80 $2.40 pf
  Partnered, illness separated, no children $100.80 $102.40 $1.60 pf
  Partnered, temporarily separated, no children $100.80 $102.40 $1.60 pf
Maximum payment if your fortnightly rent is more than
Family Situation Previous Amount 20 Sept 2010 Increase  
  Single, no children $252.00 $256.00 $4.00 pf
  Single, no children, sharer $201.60 $204.80 $3.20 pf
  Couple, no children $307.07 $311.60 $4.53 pf
  Partnered, illness separated, no children $252.00 $256.00 $4.00 pf
  Partnered, temporarily separated, no children $243.47 $247.20 $3.73 pf

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Rent Assistance - rates for payments under the Family Assistance Act

Maximum payment per fortnight
Family Situation Previous Amount 20 Sept 2010 Increase  
  Single, 1 or 2 children $133.28 $135.24 $1.96 pf
  Single, 3 or more children $150.64 $152.88 $2.24 pf
  Couple, 1 or 2 children $133.28 $135.24 $1.96 pf
  Couple, 3 or more children $150.64 $152.88 $2.24 pf
Couple, Illness Separated, Temporarily Separated
  1 or 2 children $133.28 $135.24 $1.96 pf
  3 or more children $150.64 $152.88 $2.24 pf
No payment if your fortnightly rent is less than
Family Situation Previous Amount 20 Sept 2010 Increase  
  Single, 1 or 2 children $132.86 $134.82 $1.96 pf
  Single, 3 or more children $132.86 $134.82 $1.96 pf
  Couple, 1 or 2 children $196.56 $199.50 $2.94 pf
  Couple, 3 or more children $196.56 $199.50 $2.94 pf
Couple, Illness Separated, Temporarily Separated
  1 or 2 children $132.86 $134.82 $1.96 pf
  3 or more children $132.86 $134.82 $1.96 pf
Maximum payment if your fortnightly rent is more than
Family Situation Previous Amount 20 Sept 2010 Increase  
  Single, 1 or 2 children $310.57 $315.14 $4.57 pf
  Single, 3 or more children $333.71 $338.66 $4.95 pf
  Couple, 1 or 2 children $374.27 $379.82 $5.55 pf
  Couple, 3 or more children $397.41 $403.34 $5.93 pf
Couple, Illness Separated, Temporarily Separated
  1 or 2 children $310.57 $315.14 $4.57 pf
  3 or more children $333.71 $338.66 $4.95 pf

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Miscellaneous - rates and other amounts

Telephone Allowance
  Previous Amount 20 Sept 2010 Increase  
  Annual amount (single or couple combined) $93.60 $96.80 $3.20 pa
  Quarterly payment (single or couple combined) $23.40 $24.20 $0.80 pq

Single rates shown. Each eligible member of a couple on max rate may receive half the single rate per annum.

Higher Rate Telephone Allowance (requires home internet access)
  Previous Amount 20 Sept 2010 Increase  
  Annual Amount (single or couple combined) $140.80 $145.60 $4.80 pa
  Quarterly Payment (single or couple combined) $35.20 $36.40 $1.20 pq

Single rates shown. Each eligible member of a couple on max rate may receive half the single rate per annum.

Seniors Supplement - Annual
Annual Amount Previous Amount 20 Sept 2010 Increase  
  Single $795.60 $806.00 $10.40 pa
  Partnered $600.60 $608.40 $7.80 pa
  Illness separated, respite care or partner in gaol $795.60 $806.00 $10.40 pa
Utilities Allowance (paid quarterly: 20 Mar, 20 June, 20 Sept, 20 Dec)
  Previous Amount 20 Sept 2010 Increase  
Payable to Widow and Partner Allowance customers under Age Pension age and DSP under 21 without children
  - Annual amount (single or couple combined) $530.00 $538.00 $8.00 pa
  - Quarterly payment (single or couple combined) $132.50 $134.50 $2.00 pq

People in receipt of an income support payment that attracts a Pension Supplement do not receive Utilities Allowance

Health Care Cards (HCC)
  Previous Amount 20 Sept 2010 Increase  
Average weekly income for eight weeks previous to applying:
  - Single (no children) $459.00 $465.00 $6.00 pw
  - Couple, combined (no children) $764.00 $808.00 $44.00 pw
  - Single, one dependent child $798.00 $808.00 $10.00 pw
  - For each additional dependant child add $34.00 $34.00 $- pw
CDEP Participation Supplement (CPS) Income limits.
  Previous Amount 20 Sept 2010 Increase  
CPS is payable if income is below:
  - Single $1,053.00 $1,068.00 $15.00 pf
  - Couple $967.00 $981.00 $14.00 pf
Total income of both partners must be under $1,934.00 $1,962.00 $28.00 pf

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© Commonwealth of Australia 2009 : Last modified 3/09/2010 3:24 PM