Australia’s Parenting Payment Increases to $1,055.90 Per Fortnight from October 2025

Australians raising young children will soon see a meaningful lift in their household budgets. From October 2025, the Parenting Payment will increase to a base rate of $1,039.70 per fortnight, plus an additional $16.20 Energy Supplement, bringing the total to $1,055.90. The change, announced by the Department of Social Services (DSS), is part of the government’s effort to cushion low- and single-income families against persistent cost-of-living pressures.

Officials say the boost aims to keep Centrelink support aligned with inflation and to make sure parents can afford essentials — food, rent, childcare, and utilities — as prices continue to climb. It’s a timely step, coming just months after new data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) showed household living costs have risen by more than 6% over the past year.

Parenting Payment 2025: Who’s Eligible

Eligibility for the updated payment remains tied to the Services Australia guidelines (servicesaustralia.gov.au). Parents must be the primary carer of a dependent child, meet residency rules, and stay within the program’s income and asset thresholds.

Requirement	Details
Residency	Must live in Australia permanently and meet residency rules
Child Age	Under 8 years (single parent) / Under 6 years (partnered parent)
Centrelink Account	Must have an active account linked to myGov
Income & Assets	Must stay under the set limits for earnings and savings
Reporting	Required to submit regular income reports to Centrelink

The policy primarily benefits single-income families, who have been hardest hit by rising childcare and grocery costs. Families that already receive Parenting Payment won’t need to reapply — the new rate will be applied automatically in October.

How to Apply for the Parenting Payment Increase

If you’re new to Centrelink, applying for the Parenting Payment or checking your eligibility is straightforward through myGov.

Step-by-step guide:

1. Log in to your myGov account and link it to Centrelink.
2. Navigate to the “Parenting Payment” section and select “Make a claim.”
3. Upload the required documents — proof of identity, your child’s birth certificate, and income evidence.
4. Submit your application and track progress under “Payments.”
5. Once approved, payments will begin automatically at the new rate from October 2025.

You can also visit a Centrelink service centre for in-person assistance, particularly if you’re updating documentation or applying for the first time.

Tip: Make sure your bank and contact details in myGov are current before October to avoid payment delays.

Parenting Payment Amount and Schedule

Here’s what eligible parents can expect from October 2025:

Payment Type	Base Rate (Fortnightly)	Energy Supplement	Total Payment	Next Adjustment Date
Parenting Payment (Single)	$1,039.70	$16.20	$1,055.90	October 2025
Parenting Payment (Partnered, each)	$693.10	$10.40	$703.50	October 2025

Payments are credited every 14 days, directly to recipients’ nominated bank accounts. Centrelink will automatically adjust ongoing payments for those already on the program, ensuring the first higher payment appears before the end of October.

The Energy Supplement is included to help cover power, gas, and utility costs, which have seen some of the steepest price jumps this year.

Key Benefits of the 2025 Parenting Payment Increase

Beyond just the numbers, the updated Parenting Payment is expected to deliver tangible benefits to more than 300,000 Australian families:

• Cost-of-living relief: Extra funds to manage rising bills, groceries, and childcare fees.
• Support for single parents: Higher assistance where there’s one source of income.
• Automatic indexation: Future adjustments will continue to track inflation and wage growth.
• Simplified access: All updates and payment tracking available through the Centrelink app and online dashboard.

Officials say the new rate is the most significant increase to Parenting Payment since 2018, reflecting the government’s ongoing focus on welfare adequacy and child wellbeing.

Checking and Managing Your Payment

Recipients can monitor payment dates, recent deposits, and any updates using the Centrelink Express Plus app or their myGov portal. To stay compliant and avoid delays:

• Keep income reports updated.
• Respond promptly to any Centrelink requests for information.
• Check your “Payment and Services Finder” tool for additional support you may qualify for, such as Rent Assistance or Family Tax Benefit.

For detailed information, visit servicesaustralia.gov.au/parenting-payment.

The Bigger Picture

The October 2025 Parenting Payment increase underscores a broader national trend: targeted financial relief over blanket stimulus. With inflation still affecting everyday essentials, this policy is designed to protect families raising young children from slipping further behind.

While advocacy groups continue to call for deeper welfare reform — including expanded childcare rebates and rent caps — the current change offers immediate relief to those most in need.

As one Sydney parent, Angela Morris, put it, “It’s not a luxury — it’s breathing room. Every extra dollar helps keep the household stable.”

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