Centrelink Update 2025 — Couple Payments Rise to $1,654.80 from October 21

Australian couples receiving Centrelink payments are set to get a welcome boost this spring. From 21 October 2025, the Australian Government will officially roll out increased joint payment rates, providing financial relief for pensioners, carers, and people with disabilities who depend on Centrelink as their main source of income. The change, part of the government’s ongoing cost-of-living strategy, raises the partnered base rate to $827.40 per person per fortnight, or $1,654.80 combined — a modest but meaningful step toward easing household pressures.

Centrelink Couple Payment Increase Effective 21 October 2025

According to Services Australia (servicesaustralia.gov.au), the adjustment applies across key social security programs, including the Age Pension, Disability Support Pension (DSP), and Carer Payment. The indexation ensures these payments stay aligned with real-world price increases for essentials such as food, fuel, and housing.

Payment Type	Old Rate (per person)	New Rate (per person)	Combined Total (per fortnight)
Age Pension (Partnered)	$814.00	$827.40	$1,654.80
Disability Support Pension (Partnered)	$814.00	$827.40	$1,654.80
Carer Payment (Partnered)	$814.00	$827.40	$1,654.80

This rise — roughly $13.40 per person, per fortnight — may not sound dramatic, but for households managing tight budgets, every dollar counts. The payment is automatic; recipients do not need to reapply. Centrelink will credit the increased rate directly into existing accounts on regular payment days.

“The aim is to ensure our social support system remains fair, sustainable, and responsive to rising costs,” a spokesperson for the Department of Social Services (DSS) said. “For partnered Australians, that means both partners benefit equally from the rate increase.”

Why the Increase Matters

The latest data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) shows that essential costs — especially housing and energy — have climbed nearly 6% year-on-year, squeezing older Australians and carers living on fixed incomes. The October 2025 adjustment reflects the government’s indexation formula, which ties social payments to the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and the Pensioner and Beneficiary Living Cost Index (PBLCI).

For many, the increase will go directly toward keeping up with essentials:

• Rent and utilities, especially as summer energy costs rise.
• Groceries and transport, which have surged post-pandemic.
• Healthcare and medication, particularly for seniors and those with chronic conditions.

Social policy analyst Dr. Emma Houghton told ABC News that the measure “won’t erase financial strain, but it helps close the gap between stagnant incomes and fast-moving inflation.”

Impact on Australian Couples and the Wider Economy

For the 1.6 million Australians who receive some form of partnered Centrelink payment, this increase provides breathing space — and a ripple effect across local economies. Research from UNSW’s Social Policy Centre shows that lower-income households typically spend additional income quickly, often on local goods and services, injecting short-term stimulus into the economy.

In practical terms, the extra $26.80 per fortnight per couple can make the difference between postponing and paying a bill on time. Community service organisations have praised the adjustment, noting it could reduce pressure on emergency food and housing support programs during the costly end-of-year period.

Eligibility Rules for Centrelink Couple Payments

To qualify for the new rate, couples must continue meeting Centrelink’s joint eligibility criteria, which include being legally married or in a de facto relationship and living together on a permanent basis.

Eligibility Requirement	Description
Relationship Status	Must be legally partnered or in a recognised de facto relationship
Residency	Must live permanently in Australia and meet residency rules
Income & Asset Test	Couples are jointly assessed; those above certain thresholds may receive reduced rates
Eligible Programs	Age Pension, Disability Support Pension, and Carer Payment
Information Updates	Must report any change in income, assets, or living arrangements via MyGov

Centrelink urges all partnered recipients to update their household details through MyGov or the Centrelink Express Plus app to ensure payments are assessed correctly. Failing to report new income or changes in relationship status can lead to overpayments or delays.

How Couples Can Check Their New Payment Amount

Couples will start seeing the higher rate from 21 October 2025, but payment timing will depend on individual Centrelink cycles. Here’s what to do:

1. Log in to MyGov and open your linked Centrelink account.
2. Go to “Payment and Claims” → “Manage Payments.”
3. Review your next scheduled deposit amount.
4. If your new rate hasn’t updated by late October, contact Services Australia for clarification.

For additional verification, you can view your Payment and Services Finder on the Services Australia website, which will show the updated rate for your benefit type.

The Bigger Picture

While modest, this October 2025 couple rate rise represents a step forward for Australia’s social safety net — one that aims to keep vulnerable households afloat as the cost of living continues to rise. It reflects the government’s pledge to maintain indexation as a safeguard against economic shocks.

For many older couples, carers, and disability recipients, it means one less thing to worry about. As Perth-based pensioner David Knowles told reporters, “It’s not a fortune, but it helps us keep the lights on and a bit of dignity. That’s what matters most.”

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