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Athena Cocoves
If you receive government support through Centrelink, you may also be eligible for rent assistance — a tax-free payment to help cover housing costs.
The amount of rent assistance you can receive depends on the type of support you get from the government, your living situation and how much rent you pay. Based on these circumstances, a rental assistance payment is added to your Centrelink account.
» MORE: Renting vs buying in Australia
How to get rent assistance
Rent assistance is only available if you receive certain Centrelink payments. If eligible, Centrelink may ask you to provide proof that you are renting (usually a lease agreement or rent certificate).
You can submit requested documents online, by post or in person at a service centre. The Express Plus Centrelink mobile app can also be used to track the progress of your rental assistance payment.
Who is eligible for rent assistance from Centrelink?
You can get rent assistance if you meet the criteria.
First, you must receive one of the following payments from Centrelink:
- 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, or
- JobSeeker Payment or Farm Household Allowance.
Second, you must be paying:
- rent
- fees in a retirement village
- lodging
- board and lodging, or
- site or mooring fees if your main home is a caravan, relocatable home or boat.
» MORE: How much rent should you pay?
How to apply for rent assistance
You do not need to apply or submit a claim to get rent assistance. Just make sure your living details are up to date on your Centrelink account, and the government will automatically determine if you are eligible.
If you do not already receive financial support from Centrelink, but believe you are eligible, you need to submit a new claim. This claim will be considered, and rental assistance added to your payment if you are eligible.
» MORE: How to handle a rent increase
How much rental assistance can I get?
The amount of rental assistance you receive depends on your Centrelink claim, your living situation and the amount of rent you pay.
According to Services Australia:
- To get rental assistance, minimum fortnightly rent costs must be between $146 and $472.87.
- The maximum amount of rent assistance applicants can receive fortnightly is between $125.47 and $188.20.
🤓 Nerdy Tip
It’s important to always update your details on your Centrelink account, as changes to your situation can influence your claim and the amount you receive.
Rent assistance rates (with income support or ABSTUDY payments)
Single applicants
The maximum fortnightly payment available for single applicants is $188.20.
- To qualify: your fortnightly rent must be more than $146.
- To get the maximum payment: your fortnightly rent must be at least $396.94.
Single, sharer applicants
The maximum fortnightly payment available for single, sharer applicants is $125.47.
- To qualify: your fortnightly rent must be more than $146.
- To get the maximum payment: your fortnightly rent must be at least $313.29.
Couple, combined applicants
The maximum fortnightly payment available for couples and combined applicants is $177.20.
- To qualify: your fortnightly rent must be more than $236.60.
- To get the maximum payment: your fortnightly rent must be at least $472.87.
One of a couple (separated due to illness)
The maximum fortnightly payment available for applicants who are one of a couple separated due to illness is $188.20.
- To qualify: your fortnightly rent must be more than $146.
- To get the maximum payment: your fortnightly rent must be at least $396.94.
One of a couple (temporarily separated)
The maximum fortnightly payment available for applicants who are one of a couple temporarily separated is $177.20.
- To qualify: your fortnightly rent must be more than $146.
- To get the maximum payment: your fortnightly rent must be at least $382.27.
Rent assistance rates (when paid with Family Tax Benefit)
Single, with one or two children
The maximum fortnightly payment available is $221.20.
- To qualify: your fortnightly rent must be more than $191.80.
- To get the maximum payment: your fortnightly rent must be at least $486.74.
One of a couple separated due to illness or temporarily separated, with one or two children
The maximum fortnightly payment available is $221.20.
- To qualify: your fortnightly rent must be more than $191.80.
- To get the maximum payment: your fortnightly rent must be at least $486.74.
A couple with one or two children
The maximum fortnightly payment available is $221.20.
- To qualify: your fortnightly rent must be more than $283.50.
- To get the maximum payment: your fortnightly rent must be at least $578.44.
Single with three or more children
The maximum fortnightly payment available is $249.90.
- To qualify: your fortnightly rent must be more than $191.80.
- To get the maximum payment: your fortnightly rent must be at least $525.
One of a couple separated due to illness or temporarily separated, with three or more children
The maximum fortnightly payment available is $249.90.
- To qualify: your fortnightly rent must be more than $191.80.
- To get the maximum payment: your fortnightly rent must be at least $525.
A couple with three or more children
The maximum fortnightly payment available is $249.90.
- To qualify: your fortnightly rent must be more than $283.50.
- To get the maximum payment: your fortnightly rent must be at least $616.70.
Source for rates: Services Australia website
Visit the Services Australia rent assistance site for more information on special circumstances — such as rules for single sharers, households receiving the Family Tax Benefit, and couples who separated.
Changes to Centrelink rent assistance payments
Centrelink updates rent assistance rates on 20 March and 20 September each year to stay in line with the cost of living.
Centrelink may also adjust your rent assistance if one of the following events occurs:
- your rent increases or decreases
- you move house
- your income increases or decreases
- your family circumstances change, such as when you get married or your children leave home
- the payment rates change.
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