Rent Assistance Calculator
Estimate your fortnightly Commonwealth Rent Assistance based on your situation and rent.
Please enter a valid rent amount.
Not eligible at this rent level
Your Estimated Rent Assistance
Receiving JobSeeker or another Centrelink payment? Rent Assistance is paid on top of your base payment — calculate your full entitlement with the JobSeeker Payment Calculator →
Estimate only. Verify your entitlements with Services Australia.
Frequently asked questions
Who is eligible for Rent Assistance?
You may be eligible if you receive an income support payment from Centrelink — such as JobSeeker, Age Pension, Disability Support Pension, Parenting Payment, Carer Payment, or Youth Allowance — and you pay rent to a private landlord or community housing provider. You must not be a homeowner, and your rent must exceed the minimum threshold for your situation.
Is Rent Assistance paid automatically?
Yes. Centrelink assesses Rent Assistance automatically when you claim your main payment. You will need to provide evidence of your rent — usually a current lease agreement or recent rent receipts. Once approved, Rent Assistance is paid fortnightly alongside your main Centrelink payment. Notify Centrelink if your rent changes.
Does Rent Assistance count as taxable income?
No. Commonwealth Rent Assistance is not taxable and is not counted as income under the income tests for other Centrelink payments. It is a supplementary payment added directly on top of your regular Centrelink payment.
How does share accommodation affect my rate?
If you share accommodation with others (other than a partner or dependent children), Centrelink may assess you as a "sharer". Sharers receive two-thirds of the standard single rate — a maximum of $143.60 per fortnight. The rent threshold is the same ($152.00 per fortnight), but the cap is lower because Centrelink assumes living costs are shared.
When do Rent Assistance rates change?
Rent Assistance rates are indexed twice a year — in March and September — in line with the Consumer Price Index (CPI). The current rates apply from 20 September 2025. The next indexation is due 20 March 2026.
Receiving JobSeeker or another Centrelink payment?
Rent Assistance is paid on top of your base Centrelink payment. Use the JobSeeker Payment Calculator to estimate your total fortnightly entitlement — base rate, Energy Supplement, and Rent Assistance combined.
JobSeeker Payment Calculator →Current rates
Per fortnight — verified 2026-02-25
| Situation | Threshold | Maximum |
|---|---|---|
| Single | $152.00 | $215.40 |
| Single sharer | $152.00 | $143.60 |
| Couple (combined) | $246.20 | $203.00 |
| Couple separated due to illness | $152.00 | $215.40 |
| Couple temporarily separated | $152.00 | $203.00 |
Indexed March and September.
How Rent Assistance works
You receive 75 cents for every dollar of rent above your threshold, up to a maximum amount. Once your rent passes the ceiling, you receive the full maximum.
Formula: (rent − threshold) × 0.75, capped at maximum.
Rates are indexed every March and September in line with CPI.