If the focus keyword matters, here it is upfront: Age Pension rate increase. The confirmed boost takes the maximum single Age Pension to $1,178.70 per fortnight and it began from 20 September 2025. This uplift is part of the regular indexation cycle designed to keep payments in line with living costs, so the change is automatic for existing recipients and reflected in the next scheduled deposit. The goal is simple: help retirees keep pace with essentials like groceries, energy, and healthcare without needing to reapply or chase updates.
The Age Pension rate increase is now live from 20 September 2025, raising the single maximum to $1,178.70 per fortnight and the partnered rate to $888.50 each. For singles, that’s a $29.70 fortnightly rise roughly $772.20 a year while couples gain $22.40 each per fortnight, or about $582.40 per person annually. The headline single total combines the maximum base rate, the pension supplement, and the energy supplement. This is a scheduled adjustment under the twice‑yearly March–September indexation window, not a one‑off handout, and it will remain in place until the next review around March 2026.
$1,178.70 Centrelink Age Pension Boost
| What changed | From 20 Sep 2025 |
|---|---|
| Single maximum per fortnight | $1,178.70 |
| Couple maximum per fortnight (each) | $888.50 |
| Single increase per fortnight | $29.70 |
| Couple increase per fortnight (each) | $22.40 |
| Approx annual uplift (single) | $772.20 |
| Approx annual uplift (couple, each) | $582.40 |
| Start date | 20 September 2025 |
| Next potential change | 20 March 2026 |
When the Increase Starts
The increase started on 20 September 2025. Payments at the new rates are processed automatically on the normal cycle, with no action required for those already on the Age Pension. New applicants will see the updated amounts once their claim is approved and their first payment is scheduled.
What’s Included in the $1,178.70 Centrelink Age Pension Boost
That single maximum figure is a combined total: the maximum base rate, the pension supplement, and the energy supplement. This structure ensures pensioners keep a consistent floor of support while also receiving targeted help with ongoing costs like utilities and essential services. For couples paid at the partnered rate, the same components apply on a per‑person basis.
Deeming Rate Changes You Should Know
Alongside the Age Pension rate increase, deeming rates have been reset. For many retirees whose entitlement is shaped by the income test, higher deeming rates may reduce the assessed payment, even as the base rates go up. The lower deeming rate applies to a threshold of financial assets, with a higher rate above that threshold. If investments, savings, or term deposits are significant, it’s worth checking which test income or assets is now the binding constraint.
Who Benefits From $1,178.70 Centrelink Age Pension Boost
This Age Pension rate increase covers full‑rate and part‑rate recipients across the standard categories. Couples living together receive the partnered rate each; couples separated by illness are generally assessed at the single rate, which can lift the combined outcome due to the higher single maximum. The broader September adjustment window also tends to lift related payments and thresholds, providing wider relief to households under pressure.
What Happens Next
The next scheduled review is around 20 March 2026. The decision to lift rates depends on a set of economic measures, with the aim of preserving purchasing power for pensioners. While most cycles result in a rise, it’s not guaranteed. Thresholds for various tests may also move on separate, regular timetables, so planning ahead with those dates in mind is sensible.
How This Affects Couples
For couples, each partner receives $888.50 per fortnight under the new settings, combining to $1,777 for the household on the full partnered rate. If illness separates a couple, each may be paid at the single rate, which can change the overall total. The outcome still depends on means testing, so real‑world amounts can differ from the maxima, particularly where financial assets are material or employment income applies.
Practical Tips for Navigating the Change
- No action needed: existing recipients receive the higher rate automatically from the effective date.
- Check the breakdown: understanding the base rate and supplements helps explain the total.
- Review means testing: with deeming changes in play, confirm whether the income or assets test now limits the payment.
- Keep documents current: accurate records of investments and balances reduce assessment delays.
- Plan for March: note the next potential indexation date and consider how it fits with cash‑flow needs.
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FAQs on $1,178.70 Centrelink Age Pension Boost
Is the new rate automatic or do I need to reapply?
It’s automatic for current recipients. The system updates the payment from the effective date on the usual schedule.
What is the partnered rate after the increase?
Each partner in a couple living together now receives $888.50 per fortnight, combining to $1,777 per payment cycle.
Does the $1,178.70 include supplements?
Yes. The single maximum includes the base rate, the pension supplement, and the energy supplement.
When is the next potential increase?
The next review is around 20 March 2026 under the regular indexation timetable.
