Parenting Payment (partnered) rates 2026
Parenting Payment (partnered) · Partnered (each)
Basic rate per fortnight · $19,632.60 ≈ per year (×26 fortnights)
- Basic Rate
- $755.10
- Energy Supplement
- $7.90
- Total per fortnight
- $763.00
$763.00 total with Energy Supplement (paid automatically with this payment).
Effective 20 September 2026 · Source: DSS / Services Australia · What changed on 20 September 2026
Parenting Payment (partnered) is income support for partnered principal carers of a young child. It gives a parent with a partner a regular fortnightly payment while their youngest child is very young. It is paid by Services Australia through Centrelink.
This page shows the partnered Parenting Payment rate, with its effective date, and how the income test works. The rate is indexed twice a year, and the next change is on 20 March 2027.
Full Parenting Payment (partnered) rate table
| Variant | Base rate | Supplements | Total /fortnight | ≈ per year (×26) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Partnered (each) | $755.10 | $7.90 | $763.00 | $19,838 |
Source: DSS Social Security Payment Parameters, 20 September 2026 — Parenting Payment Partnered
The table below shows the partnered Parenting Payment rate. Unlike the single Parenting Payment, the partnered rate is an allowance-style rate, the same basic rate as partnered JobSeeker, made up of a basic rate plus an Energy Supplement. The Energy Supplement is paid automatically, but it is frozen and does not rise at indexation.
When a figure is labelled a total, it means those parts added together. This is a per-person rate for a partnered principal carer, so it is lower than the single Parenting Payment.
What changed on 20 September 2026
| Rate | Before 20 September 2026 | From 20 September 2026 | Change | Change % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Partnered (each) | $748.20 | $763.00 | +$14.80 | +1.98% |
- On 20 September 2026, Parenting Payment (partnered), partnered (each), rose $14.80, or 1.98%, from $748.20 to $763.00.
- Parenting Payment (partnered), partnered (each), pays up to $763.00 a fortnight, $474.70 (38.35%) less than the single Age Pension at $1,237.70.
Parenting Payment (partnered) in 2026
| Rate | Before | 1 January 2026 | 20 March 2026 | 1 July 2026 | 20 September 2026 | 2026 change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Partnered (each) | $734.40 | — | $748.20 | — | $763.00 | +$28.60 (+3.89%) |
- Parenting Payment (partnered), partnered (each), rose $28.60 (3.89%) across 2026, from $734.40 to $763.00: $13.80 on 20 March 2026 and $14.80 on 20 September 2026.
How much Parenting Payment (partnered) pays
The partnered Parenting Payment rate is shown in the data block above, with its effective date. It is paid every two weeks.
That figure is the maximum before the income test. Your own income and your partner's income can both reduce it. The next increase is on 20 March 2027.
| Situation | Income a fortnight | Payment |
|---|---|---|
| Partnered, no income (each) | $0 | $763.00 a fortnight |
| Partnered, with own income | $300 | $683.60 a fortnight |
| Partnered, own income nil, partner earns $2,000 | $0 | $427.00 a fortnight |
Assets under the limit. Incomes are per fortnight. Rent Assistance uses the single, no-children rate.
- A partner earning $2,000 a fortnight reduces a partnered rate of $763.00 to $427.00, $336.00 less than with no partner income.
Parenting Payment (partnered) income test
| Fortnightly income | Effect on your payment |
|---|---|
| Up to $150 | No reduction (this is the income free area) |
| $150 to $256 | Reduces by 50c for each dollar over $150 |
| $256 and above | Reduces by 60c for each dollar over $256 |
Source: Services Australia, A guide to Australian Government payments (CO029), 20 September 2026 edition — Income test for Parenting Payment (partnered)
| Situation | Payment reduces to nil at |
|---|---|
| Income limit | $1,439.34 /fortnight |
| Partner income limit | $2,711.67 /fortnight |
| Couple (combined) income limit | $2,879.34 /fortnight |
| Couple (combined) income limit if partner receives a pension | $2,878.68 /fortnight |
| Situation | Partner income free area |
|---|---|
| Partner aged between 22 and Age Pension age | $1,440 /fortnight |
| Partner aged under 22 — No dependent children | $1,307 /fortnight |
| Partner aged under 22 — With dependent children | $1,402 /fortnight |
Parenting Payment partnered has a personal income free area. You can earn up to that amount each fortnight before your own payment reduces. Above the free area, your payment reduces as your income rises.
Your partner's income is also tested. Once your partner's income passes the partner income free area, it reduces your payment as well. There is also a combined income limit for a couple.
The personal income limit, partner income limit and combined limit are shown in the income test table on this page. Different figures apply if you are over Age Pension age.
Where Parenting Payment (partnered) stops
| Situation | Income free area | Payment reaches $0 at | DSS figure |
|---|---|---|---|
| Own income, partner has none | $150 | $1,439.34 a fortnight | Matches the DSS limit |
| Partner's income, own income nil | $1,440 | $2,711.67 a fortnight | Matches the DSS limit |
Rounded up to the cent, as DSS rounds its limits.
- Own income, partner has none: the payment reaches $0 at $1,439.34 a fortnight of income, $1,289.34 more than the $150.00 income free area.
- That is $117.83 lower than JobSeeker's single cut-out of $1,557.17.
Parenting Payment (partnered) assets test
| Situation | Assets free area |
|---|---|
| Single — Homeowner | $333,000 |
| Couple (combined) — Homeowner | $499,000 |
| Single — Non-homeowner | $600,000 |
| Couple (combined) — Non-homeowner | $766,000 |
Source: DSS Social Security Payment Parameters, 1 July 2026 — Allowances (JobSeeker Payment, Parenting Payment, Youth Allowance, Austudy) — Assets limits
Allowance payments are not paid at a reduced rate under the assets test — payment is nil once assets exceed the limit.
| Situation | Assets limit |
|---|---|
| Single — Homeowner | $333,000 |
| Couple (combined) — Homeowner | $499,000 |
| Single — Non-homeowner | $600,000 |
| Couple (combined) — Non-homeowner | $766,000 |
Parenting Payment partnered has an assets test that works as a hard limit rather than a gradual reduction. If your combined assets are under the limit you can be paid, subject to the income test. If they are over the limit, you are not paid.
The home you live in is not counted, and the limit is higher for non-homeowners than for homeowners. The asset limits are shown on this page.
- The single homeowner limit of $333,000 is $267,000 lower than the non-homeowner limit of $600,000; over the limit the payment is nil.
Estimate your Parenting Payment (partnered)
Before tax, per fortnight.
Partner free area $1,440.00.
Estimated Parenting Payment (partnered)
$763.00per fortnight
- ≈ per year (×26 fortnights) $19,838.00
How this is worked out
What this means
Parenting Payment partnered is paid every two weeks. It is paid at the allowance rate rather than the higher pension-style rate that single parents receive, so a partnered principal carer gets less than a single one.
Because you have a partner, both your income and your partner's income are tested. Your payment reduces once your own income passes the free area, and separately if your partner's income passes the partner income free area.
Parenting Payment partnered is available while your youngest child is under the age set by the rules, which is younger than the limit for single parents. When your youngest child reaches that age, you may move to another payment such as JobSeeker.
The rate is indexed on 20 March and 20 September. The next increase is on 20 March 2027, and this page updates to match.
Who can get Parenting Payment (partnered)
Services Australia assesses Parenting Payment partnered on whether you are a partnered principal carer, the age of your youngest child, your residence status, and your and your partner's income and assets. You must have the main care of a very young child.
This page reports the rates and the test rules. It does not decide your claim. For the eligibility rules that apply to your own situation, including the child-age limit, check the official Parenting Payment page linked at the top and bottom of this page.
Related
- Parenting Payment (partnered) vs Parenting Payment (single)Side by side at three incomes
- 20 September 2026 indexationEvery payment, old against new
- Payment dates 2026Cycles and public holidays
Parenting Payment (partnered): common questions
- How much is Parenting Payment partnered per fortnight?
- The partnered rate is shown in the data block at the top of this page, with its effective date. It is paid every two weeks and is the same basic rate as partnered JobSeeker, which is lower than the single Parenting Payment. Your payment can be lower once your income and your partner's income are tested.
- Why is Parenting Payment partnered lower than Parenting Payment single?
- The partnered payment is set at the allowance rate, while the single payment is set at a higher, pension-style rate with extra supplements. A partnered carer is assumed to share household costs with a partner. See our Parenting Payment single versus partnered comparison for the detail.
- Does my partner's income affect Parenting Payment partnered?
- Yes. Both your income and your partner's income are tested. Your payment reduces once your own income passes the free area, and separately once your partner's income passes the partner income free area. The limits are in the income test table on this page.
- When does Parenting Payment partnered go up next?
- The rate is indexed on 20 March and 20 September. The next increase is on 20 March 2027. This page updates to match.
- Is Parenting Payment partnered taxable?
- Yes, Parenting Payment partnered is taxable income and is included in your tax return. Whether you actually pay tax depends on your total income for the year. You can ask Services Australia to take tax out of your payments.
Estimates and general information only — not financial advice. Check Services Australia for your circumstances.
Rates effective 20 September 2026 · next scheduled indexation 20 March 2027. Source: DSS / Services Australia. Last checked 23 September 2026.