How much is DSP for people under 21 per fortnight?

It depends on your age band, whether you are dependent or independent, and whether you live at home or away from home. For example, an independent person aged 18 to 20 can get up to {{rate:dsp-under-21:independent-18-20:total}} a fortnight, including the Youth Disability Supplement. The table at the top of this page shows every situation. Your payment can be lower once the income and assets tests are applied.

What is the Youth Disability Supplement?

It is a set extra amount added to the basic youth rate of DSP for people under 21. It recognises the extra costs young people with disability face. It is already included in the totals shown on this page.

When does youth DSP go up next?

The youth rates for people under 21 are indexed once a year, on 1 January. The next increase is on {{date:nextIndexation:dsp-under-21}}. This is different from the adult pension, which is indexed in March and September. This page updates to match.

What happens to my DSP when I turn 21?

When you turn 21, you generally move onto the adult DSP rates, which are the same as the Age Pension rates and are indexed in March and September. You can see those rates on the main Disability Support Pension page.

Is youth DSP taxable?

DSP is generally not taxable while you are under Age Pension age, which includes everyone on the youth rates. Because tax rules depend on your total income, check the Australian Taxation Office for how it applies to you.

Disability Support Pension (under 21) rates 2026

Disability Support Pension (under 21) · Single, under 18 — Dependent (at home)

$581.50/fortnight

Typical total per fortnight · $15,119 ≈ per year (×26 fortnights)

Maximum basic rate (includes Youth Disability Supplement): $581.50
Total per fortnight: $581.50

Effective 1 January 2026 · Source: DSS / Services Australia

Disability Support Pension for people under 21 without dependent children is paid at youth rates. It is for young people with a permanent condition that stops them working. It is paid by Services Australia through Centrelink.

This page shows the youth DSP rates and how the tests work. Unlike the adult pension, these youth rates are indexed once a year, on 1 January, and the next change is on 1 January 2027.

Every number on this page is taken line by line from the Department of Social Services rates list and checked against the Services Australia payments guide.

Full Disability Support Pension (under 21) rate table

Disability Support Pension (under 21) — rates per fortnight
Variant	Base rate	Supplements	Total /fortnight	≈ per year (×26)
Single, under 18 — Dependent (at home)	—	$581.50	$581.50	$15,119
Single, under 18 — Independent	—	$839.80	$839.80	$21,834.80
Single, 18–20 — Dependent (at home)	—	$645	$645	$16,770
Single, 18–20 — Independent	—	$839.80	$839.80	$21,834.80
Member of a couple	—	$839.80	$839.80	$21,834.80

Source: DSS Social Security Payment Parameters, 1 January 2026 — Disability Support Pension — under 21, no dependent children — Maximum rates

The table below shows the DSP youth rates for people under 21 with no children. Rates depend on your age band, whether you are treated as dependent or independent, and whether you live at home or away from home. A member of a couple is paid at the higher independent rate.

The youth rate includes a Youth Disability Supplement, which is a set extra amount added to the basic rate. Recipients usually also receive a Pharmaceutical Allowance. When a figure is labelled a total, it means those parts added together.

How your circumstances change this payment. Your income can reduce it, and your assets are tested too. See the detail:

What this means

DSP under 21 is paid every two weeks at youth rates rather than the full adult pension rate. The rate is picked by your age band, whether you are dependent or independent, and your living situation.

The Youth Disability Supplement is a set extra amount that is added to the basic youth rate. It recognises the extra costs young people with disability face, and it is included in the totals shown on this page.

Income and assets tests both apply, in the same way as the adult pension, and the lower result is paid. When you turn 21, you generally move onto the adult DSP rates shown on the main Disability Support Pension page.

These youth rates are indexed once a year, on 1 January. The next increase is on 1 January 2027, and this page updates to match.

Who can get Disability Support Pension (under 21)

Services Australia assesses youth DSP on your medical condition and how it affects your ability to work, your age, whether you are dependent or independent, your living situation, and your income and assets. The medical rules are the same permanent-condition rules that apply to the adult pension.

This page reports the rates and the test rules. It does not decide your claim, and it does not assess your medical eligibility. For the rules that apply to your own situation, check the official Disability Support Pension page linked at the top and bottom of this page.

Explore Disability Support Pension (under 21)

Rates change at indexation. The most recent update is the 1 January 2026 indexation. See the full indexation schedule and payment dates.

Disability Support Pension (under 21): common questions

How much is DSP for people under 21 per fortnight?: It depends on your age band, whether you are dependent or independent, and whether you live at home or away from home. For example, an independent person aged 18 to 20 can get up to $839.80 a fortnight, including the Youth Disability Supplement. The table at the top of this page shows every situation. Your payment can be lower once the income and assets tests are applied.
What is the Youth Disability Supplement?: It is a set extra amount added to the basic youth rate of DSP for people under 21. It recognises the extra costs young people with disability face. It is already included in the totals shown on this page.
When does youth DSP go up next?: The youth rates for people under 21 are indexed once a year, on 1 January. The next increase is on 1 January 2027. This is different from the adult pension, which is indexed in March and September. This page updates to match.
What happens to my DSP when I turn 21?: When you turn 21, you generally move onto the adult DSP rates, which are the same as the Age Pension rates and are indexed in March and September. You can see those rates on the main Disability Support Pension page.
Is youth DSP taxable?: DSP is generally not taxable while you are under Age Pension age, which includes everyone on the youth rates. Because tax rules depend on your total income, check the Australian Taxation Office for how it applies to you.

Estimates and general information only — not financial advice. Check Services Australia for your circumstances.

Rates current as of 1 January 2026. Source: DSS / Services Australia. Last checked 17 July 2026.