REFERENCE LIBRARY
Look it up: words, rates,
documents and data
The quick-reference shelf for Centrelink — what a term means, the current number, and where the official version lives.
Centrelink glossary
The words you'll see in letters and online, explained in one or two sentences.
Showing 22 terms
Advance payment
Part of your future payment paid early as a lump sum, then repaid from your regular payments.
Assets test
A check of what you own (not counting your home) that can reduce or stop some payments.
See also: Income test , Deeming
Carer Allowance
A fortnightly supplement for people who provide daily care at home for someone with a disability or medical condition. Not income or assets tested.
See also: Carer Payment
Carer Payment
An income-support payment for people who provide constant care for someone who has a disability, illness or aged condition. Income and assets tested.
See also: Carer Allowance
Concession card
A card such as the Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card that gives cheaper medicines and services.
Crisis Payment
A one-off payment for people on income support facing a severe crisis, such as leaving home due to family violence or a disaster.
CRN CRN
Customer Reference Number — your unique Centrelink number. It's on your letters and concession cards — keep it private.
Debt
Money Centrelink says you were paid but weren't entitled to. You can ask for it to be reviewed.
Deeming
Centrelink assumes your savings and investments earn a set rate of income, whatever they actually earn.
See also: Income test , Income free area
Income free area
How much you can earn each fortnight before your payment starts to reduce.
See also: Income test , Taper rate
Income test
A check of your income (and your partner's) that can reduce your payment below the income free area.
See also: Income free area , Taper rate , Deeming
Indexation
Regular automatic increases to payment rates and thresholds in line with the cost of living.
Liquid assets
Cash and financial assets you can access quickly — bank accounts, shares, term deposits. A high balance may trigger a waiting period.
Mutual obligation requirements
Tasks some job seekers must do to keep getting paid, such as job searches and appointments.
See also: Workforce Australia
myGov
The Australian Government website where you link and manage your Centrelink online account.
Nominee
A person you authorise to deal with Centrelink, or receive payments, on your behalf.
Principal carer
The person who has most of the day-to-day care of a child.
Principal home
The home you live in. Exempt from the assets test, though excess land value may be counted.
See also: Assets test
Rent Assistance CRA
An extra amount added to an eligible payment if you pay private rent above a set level.
Taper rate
The rate at which your payment reduces once income or assets exceed the free area. For allowances: 50 cents per dollar earned.
See also: Income free area , Income test
Waiting period
Time you may have to wait before your payment starts, depending on your savings or how you left work.
Work Bonus
Lets pensioners over Age Pension age earn some employment income without it reducing their pension.
See also: Income test
Rates & thresholds reference
Maximum fortnightly amounts before income and assets tests. Use the tabs to switch tables.
Maximum fortnightly rates from 20 September 2026
| Payment | Single | Partnered (each) |
|---|---|---|
| Pension payments | ||
| Age Pension | $1,237.70 | $933.00 |
| Disability Support Pension | $1,237.70 | $933.00 |
| Carer Payment | $1,237.70 | $933.00 |
| Allowance payments | ||
| JobSeeker Payment — no children | $833.70 | $763.00 |
| JobSeeker Payment — with dependent child | $892.80 | — |
Source: Department of Social Services, payment rates from 20 September 2026. Services Australia. Pension rates include the Pension and Energy Supplements.
Documents & printable fact sheets
Our one-page summaries to print or save, and pointers to the official forms you may be asked for.
Payment rates at a glance
All maximum rates from 20 Sep 2026 on one page.
Fact sheet · PDF · 1 page
Official form · Services Australia →Before you claim checklist
Identity, income, bank and rent details to have ready.
Fact sheet · PDF · 2 pages
Official form · Services Australia →Reporting income: quick card
A wallet-sized reminder of what to report and when.
Fact sheet · PDF · 1 page
Official form · Services Australia →Employment Separation Certificate
Your former employer fills this in when you stop work.
Official form · Services Australia
Official form · Services Australia →Proof of rent
What counts as evidence of your rent for Rent Assistance.
Official guidance · Services Australia
Official form · Services Australia →Medical evidence for DSP
Reports to gather from your treating doctors.
Official guidance · Services Australia
Official form · Services Australia →Data & statistics
Key figures about income support in Australia, with the official dataset behind each.
5.3m
People on income support
24%
Share of Australians aged 16+
919k
On unemployment payments (16–64)
670k
On Disability Support Pension (16–64)
Official links directory
Where to go for the authoritative version. These open government websites.
Services & Claims
- Services Australia — Centrelink
Payments, claims and contact details
- myGov
Sign in and link your Centrelink account
- Workforce Australia
Employment services and job search
Rules & Policy
- Social Security Guide
The detailed policy manual (DSS)
- Department of Social Services
Payment rates and policy changes
- Australian Taxation Office
Tax on payments and income statements
Reviews, Complaints & Data
- Administrative Review Tribunal
Independent review of decisions
- Commonwealth Ombudsman
Complaints about government services
- AIHW
Statistics on welfare and income support
Need more than a definition?
Our guides walk you through the whole process, step by step.
Frequently asked questions about the library
Where does the rate information come from?
All rates come from the Department of Social Services — Guide to Australian Government Payments and the Services Australia website. Each figure shows the date it was last verified against the source.
What is deeming and why does it affect my pension?
Deeming is a set of rules Centrelink uses to estimate how much income your financial assets earn, regardless of what they actually earn. The deemed income is added to your other income for the income test, which can reduce your pension.
From 20 September 2026, the deeming rates are 1.75% (lower) and 3.75% (upper). The lower rate applies up to $62,600 (single) / $103,800 (partnered combined). Source: DSS. See the deeming guide for full details.
How do I access the Social Security Guide?
The Social Security Guide is published by the Department of Social Services and is the definitive legal policy manual for Centrelink payments. It is available free online.
For a plain-English summary of the key rules, use our guides and glossary.