$987.70 Payment + $28.30 Bonus for Aussies – Are You Eligible for This Pension Boost?
$987.70 Payment + $28.30 Bonus for Aussies – In 2025, Australian parents may be eligible for a significant financial boost through Centrelink’s Parenting Payment. This support includes a fortnightly payment of up to $987.70, along with a $28.30 Pension Supplement, designed to assist families in managing the costs of raising young children. Understanding the eligibility criteria and application process is crucial to accessing this support.
$987.70 Payment + $28.30 Bonus for Aussies
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Maximum Payment (Single Parent) | Up to $987.70 per fortnight, including a $28.30 Pension Supplement. |
| Maximum Payment (Partnered Parent) | Up to $715.10 per fortnight. |
| Eligibility Criteria | – Be the primary carer of a child under 8 (single) or under 6 (partnered).- Meet residency requirements.- Satisfy income and assets tests. |
| Income Threshold (Single Parent) | Payment reduces when income exceeds $220.60 per fortnight; ceases at $2,796.35 per fortnight. |
| Application Process | Apply online via myGov by linking to Centrelink. |
| Additional Supplements | May include Energy Supplement, Rent Assistance, and others based on individual circumstances. |
| Payment Frequency | Fortnightly. |
| Official Resource | Services Australia – Parenting Payment |
The Parenting Payment, along with the additional Pension Supplement, offers substantial financial support to eligible Australian parents and guardians. By understanding the eligibility criteria and following the application process, you can access this assistance to help manage the costs associated with raising young children. It also opens doors to other welfare and education-related supplements.
Understanding the Parenting Payment
The Parenting Payment is a financial assistance program provided by the Australian Government to support parents or guardians who are the primary carers of young children. It aims to alleviate financial stress during the early years of child-rearing, allowing parents to focus on caregiving responsibilities.
This payment is part of Australia’s broader welfare safety net aimed at promoting economic stability and child well-being. It also supports parents in pursuing education, job readiness programs, or re-entering the workforce.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for the Parenting Payment, applicants must meet specific conditions:
1. Primary Carer of a Young Child
- Single Parents: Must be the principal carer of a child under 8 years old.
- Partnered Parents: Must be the principal carer of a child under 6 years old.
2. Residency Requirements
- Must be an Australian resident and physically present in Australia on the day the claim is submitted.
3. Income and Assets Tests
- Income Test:
- Single Parents: Payment starts to reduce when income exceeds $220.60 per fortnight.
- Payment ceases when income reaches $2,796.35 per fortnight.
- Assets Test:
- For homeowners, assets must be below $314,000.
- For non-homeowners, the threshold is higher.
Detailed information on income and assets tests can be found on the Services Australia website.
4. Mutual Obligation Requirements
- Parents may need to participate in job-seeking or education programs, especially if their youngest child is over a certain age.
- These obligations can include attending appointments, training, or job interviews.
Payment Details
Single Parents
- Maximum Fortnightly Payment: $987.70, which includes:
- $1,011.50 Parenting Payment
- $29.00 Pension Supplement
Partnered Parents
- Maximum Fortnightly Payment: $715.10
These amounts are subject to change based on individual circumstances, including income and assets.
You may also receive a back payment if there’s a delay in processing your claim and you’re found eligible from an earlier date.
How to Apply?
Applying for the Parenting Payment involves several steps:
- Create or Log in to myGov Account
- Visit myGov and create an account or log in.
- Link Centrelink to myGov
- Navigate to ‘Link a service’ and select Centrelink.
- Follow the prompts to link your Centrelink account.
- Start Your Claim
- In your Centrelink online account, select ‘Make a claim or view claim status’.
- Choose ‘Apply for Parenting Payment’ and follow the instructions.
- Submit Required Documents
- Provide necessary documents, such as identification, proof of income, and details about your child.
- A comprehensive list of required documents is available here.
- Await Assessment
- After submission, your application will be assessed.
- You can track the progress through your myGov account.
Payment Schedule
Once approved, payments are made fortnightly. The exact date of your first payment will be communicated through your myGov account. It’s essential to report any changes in your circumstances promptly to ensure accurate payment amounts.
If your situation changes—such as your income, family structure, or residency status—you must update Centrelink immediately to avoid overpayments or underpayments.
Additional Support and Supplements
Depending on your situation, you may be eligible for additional assistance:
- Energy Supplement: Helps with energy costs.
- Rent Assistance: Provides support for rental expenses.
- Pharmaceutical Allowance: Assists with medication costs.
- Education Entry Payment: Supports those entering education or training.
- Pensioner Education Supplement: Provides financial help if you’re studying.
- Mobility Allowance: Assists with transport costs for those with a disability.
- Remote Area Allowance: Supports those living in remote areas.
- Health Care Card: Automatically issued to Parenting Payment recipients, offering reduced costs on medical services and prescriptions.
FAQs
Q1: Can I receive Parenting Payment if I’m already receiving another Centrelink payment?
A1: Generally, you cannot receive Parenting Payment simultaneously with certain other payments like Newstart Allowance or Youth Allowance. It’s essential to check with Centrelink to understand how different payments interact.
Q2: What happens if my income changes after I start receiving the payment?
A2: You must report any changes in your income to Centrelink. Your payment amount may be adjusted based on the new income information.
Q3: Is there a waiting period before I start receiving payments?
A3: Yes, there may be a waiting period, such as the ordinary waiting period of one week. Other waiting periods may apply depending on your circumstances. More details are available here.
Q4: Can I receive Parenting Payment if I am a grandparent caring for my grandchild?
A4: Yes, if you are the principal carer of the child and meet other eligibility criteria, you may qualify for Parenting Payment.
Q5: How do I report my income to Centrelink?
A5: You can report your income online through your myGov account linked to Centrelink. It’s required to report every two weeks, even if your income is $0.
Q6: Will this payment affect my tax return?
A6: Parenting Payment is taxable. You’ll receive a Centrelink Payment Summary at tax time, and it’s important to include this in your tax return.
Q7: Can I receive this payment while studying or training?
A7: Yes, you can still receive Parenting Payment while studying, and you may also be eligible for the Pensioner Education Supplement or Education Entry Payment.
