From 20 September 2026 Partnered and single
Parenting Payment Rates
Parenting Payment comes in two versions with different rates and different rules — and the single version is the one where almost everyone quotes the wrong number, because the pension table it sits in does not tell the whole story.
Current rate — partnered
| Your situation | Rate (a fortnight) |
|---|---|
| Partnered (each) | $755.10 |
The partnered rate is the common benefit rate — the same as a partnered JobSeeker recipient.
Why there is no single rate on this page
Parenting Payment (Single) is listed in the government’s common pension rates table — but a single recipient receives the basic amount of pension supplement rather than the full supplement, so the payable figure is not simply the Age Pension number.
The single rate is the same as the common pension rate, but it is paid with the basic amount of pension supplement rather than the full supplement, so it does not simply equal the Age Pension figure. We have not quoted it rather than risk quoting the wrong composition.
We would rather send you to the exact figure than print a plausible-looking one. Services Australia publishes the current single rate; the government’s own pages are the only place we can be sure of the composition.
The rules that decide which one you are on
- Parenting Payment (Partnered) is paid at the common benefit rate — the same rate as JobSeeker for a partnered person.
- The single rate is the same as the common pension rate, but it is paid with the basic amount of pension supplement rather than the full supplement, so it does not simply equal the Age Pension figure. We have not quoted it rather than risk quoting the wrong composition.
- Parenting Payment is income and assets tested, and the child must be under 6 for a partnered recipient.
Parenting Payment also interacts with Family Tax Benefit and Child Care Subsidy — many families receive all three.
Frequently asked questions
How much is Parenting Payment?
The partnered rate is $755.10 a fortnight each, from 20 September 2026. The single rate is paid at the common pension rate structure, but with the basic amount of pension supplement rather than the full supplement — check the exact figure with Services Australia.
Why is the partnered rate lower than a single rate?
Because the assessment looks at the household. A partnered couple is assessed jointly, and the partnered rate is deliberately set at a lower per-person level than the single rate.
What age does my child have to be?
For a partnered recipient the child must generally be under 6. Single recipients have different rules, which is one of the differences between the two versions of the payment.
Is it income tested?
Yes — both income and assets. And your partner’s income counts, which is why the partnered rate also applies to partners who are working.
Can I get it with Family Tax Benefit?
Yes. Parenting Payment and Family Tax Benefit are separate payments with separate tests, and it is common to receive both — along with Child Care Subsidy if you use care.
Rates from the Department of Social Services — Social Security Guide (1.342 (21 September 2026)), checked 12 October 2026. General information only — your actual entitlement is assessed by Services Australia.