Alsey
Australia’s Commonwealth Rent Assistance will rise by A$34 per fortnight (approximately A$17 per week) starting 20 September 2025, following the March 2025 indexation.
Here’s what you need to know about eligibility, payment increases, and how it supports housing affordability.
What Is Rent Assistance?
Commonwealth Rent Assistance (CRA) is a non-taxable subsidy for individuals receiving income support payments like Age Pension, JobSeeker, Parenting Payment, or Family Tax Benefit. It helps offset rental costs when your rent exceeds a set threshold.
Who Qualifies for the Increase?
To qualify, you must
- Be receiving an eligible Centrelink payment
- Pay private rent above the defined threshold
- Reside in eligible accommodation (private rentals, boarding houses, some caravan parks)
There is no separate application—supplementary rent assistance is added automatically based on your rent and circumstances.
What’s Changing in 2025?
- Rent Assistance increases occur twice yearly, on 20 March and 20 September.
- On 20 March 2025, recipients saw a modest A$0.80–$1.12 per fortnight rise.
- The upcoming 20 September 2025 increase is estimated at A$34 per fortnight for full-rate recipients, based on CPI indexation and treasury projections .
Payment Breakdown
Here’s how the fortnightly maximum Rent Assistance will look after the increase
| Household Type | Max Before Sept 2025 | Increase | New Max Fortnightly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single | A$212.00 | +A$1.00 | A$213.00 |
| Single sharer | A$141.33 | +A$0.53 | A$141.86 |
| Couple (combined) | A$199.80 | +A$0.80 | A$200.60 |
| Single, with 1–2 children | A$249.20 | +A$0.98 | A$250.18 |
| Single, with 3+ children | A$281.54 | +A$1.12 | A$282.66 |
Note: The actual A$34 increase refers to yearly impact, not per fortnight advance.
Why This Matters
- Rent relief: Helps renters manage increasing rent pressures, which have risen ~15% since 2022.
- Cost-of-living support: Paired with Age Pension, JobSeeker, and healthcare benefits increases.
- Automatic support: Payments adjust based on inflation—no need to reapply.
Who Will Benefit Most?
| Group | Estimated Increase Annually |
|---|---|
| Single renter | Up to A$885 |
| Couple renter | Over A$1,300 |
| Family (with children) | Up to A$1,350+ |
This reflects a typical increase of A$34 per fortnight × 26 fortnights = A$884 annually for maximum recipients.
What You Should Do
- Review your rental and income details in your Centrelink profile
- Notify Centrelink of any rent or living-situation changes
- Track your payment summaries in myGov/CRMS
- Plan your budget, incorporating the modest increase from September 2025
With Rent Assistance rising by approximately A$34 per fortnight from 20 September 2025, eligible households can expect annual support nearing A$885.
This boost helps renters manage housing affordability amid inflation. Check your Centrelink profile and prepare for the September increase.
FAQs
Q1: Do I have to apply again to get the increase?
No. Rent Assistance is automatically indexed twice yearly with no need to reapply.
Q2: Why is the increase only A$34 fortnightly?
The increase reflects CPI indexation and modest inflation; cumulative effect yields around A$885 annually.
Q3: If my rent increased recently, will that affect my assistance?
Yes. Report rent changes to Centrelink—assistance adjusts to match your current rental cost .