$998.20 Centrelink Parenting Payment Sept 2025 – Who Qualifies & New Rates

Raising children as a single parent has never been easy, and with rent, groceries, energy bills, and school costs all rising, every extra dollar counts. That’s why the announcement of the $998.20 Centrelink Parenting Payment from 20 September 2025 is already making headlines. It’s a modest but meaningful increase that will help ease the pressure on single parents who are doing it tough.

What Is the Parenting Payment?

The Parenting Payment is a fortnightly income support program managed by Services Australia (Centrelink). It’s designed to help parents—primarily single parents—cover essential living expenses while they care for their children.

Currently, the payment rate for single parents sits at $982.50 per fortnight (as of March 2025). But from 20 September 2025, that base rate will increase to $998.20, with supplements and energy allowances added on top for many recipients.

This means that, depending on age and family situation, the total fortnightly support package could exceed $1,039 for singles or $801 for partnered parents.

Eligibility for the September 2025 Parenting Payment

Not everyone qualifies automatically. To receive the $998.20 Parenting Payment, parents must:

• Be the principal carer of a child under 14.
• Be single (for the higher base rate) or partnered with income assessed separately.
• Meet Australian residency requirements.
• Comply with mutual obligation requirements (such as participation in job-seeking, study, or parenting programs—unless exempt).
• Stay within the income and assets limits set by Centrelink.

For September 2025, the disqualifying income limit for single parents under age pension age rises to $2,840.85 per fortnight, up from $2,800.35. This means parents can earn slightly more before losing eligibility.

Updated Parenting Payment Rates – September 2025

Here’s a breakdown of the increases:

Under Age Pension Age

Category	Previous Amount	New Amount	Increase
Single – Base	$982.50	$998.20	$15.70
Supplement	$29.00	$29.50	$0.50
Energy Supplement	$12.00	$12.00	–
Total (Singles)	$1,023.50	$1,039.70	$16.20
Partnered – Base	$715.10	$726.50	$11.40
Energy Supplement	$7.90	$7.90	–
Total (Partnered)	$723.00	$734.40	$11.40

Over Age Pension Age

Category	Previous Amount	New Amount	Increase
Single – Base	$982.50	$998.20	$15.70
Supplement	$83.60	$84.90	$1.30
Energy Supplement	$14.10	$14.10	–
Partnered – Base	$715.10	$726.50	$11.40
Supplement	$63.00	$64.00	$1.00
Energy Supplement	$10.60	$10.60	–
Total (Partnered)	$788.70	$801.10	$12.40

Why This Matters

While an increase of around $16.20 per fortnight may not seem like much, for single parents managing tight budgets, it can mean:

• One week’s worth of school lunches.
• Extra help covering rising energy costs.
• Breathing room for rent or grocery bills.

It’s part of the twice-yearly indexation process (March and September) where pensions and benefits are adjusted for inflation and average wages.

Fact Check: Is the $998.20 Parenting Payment Real?

Yes. The Department of Social Services (dss.gov.au) and Services Australia (servicesaustralia.gov.au) have confirmed that the new Parenting Payment rates will take effect from 20 September 2025.

This is not a new scheme, but an indexation increase applied to the existing Parenting Payment program.

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