Home / Business and Economy / Million Aussies to See Centrelink Payments Increase Jan 1
Million Aussies to See Centrelink Payments Increase Jan 1
5 Dec, 2025
Summary
- Over a million Australians to receive increased Centrelink payments from January 1.
- Payments indexed to inflation, benefiting youth allowance, Austudy, and carer allowances.
- Masters and Doctorate students to receive the largest payment increase.
From January 1, 2026, more than a million Australians will receive an increased Centrelink payment. This annual indexation ensures social security payments, including youth allowance, Austudy, ABSTUDY, and Carer Allowance, keep pace with inflation and rising living costs.
Recipients of youth allowance will see a $13.90 increase in their maximum fortnightly payment, while approximately 680,000 carer allowance recipients will receive an extra $3.30 per fortnight. Income and parental income test thresholds for student payments will also be adjusted upwards.
The most significant boost is reserved for Masters and Doctorate students, whose basic fortnightly payments will rise by $30.80. The Minister for Social Services affirmed the government's commitment to supporting Australians through various cost-of-living measures.
