In 2026, many Australian families will see small but important increases in their Centrelink payments. Over the course of the year, a cash boost is expected to affect many types of payments, from pension indexation to changes in family and income support.
This doesn’t mean that everyone will get a single lump-sum cheque, but scheduled indexation and policy updates could raise the amount of money that millions of people get every two weeks.
Here’s what families might see and how it might affect your budget.
Goodbye to Retirement at 65 in Australia: New Pension Age Framework Begins From 20 February 2026
Why Payments Will Go Up in 2026
Payments from Centrelink are adjusted to take into account changes in inflation and wage growth.
In 2026, prices are expected to go up because of:
Indexation planned for March and September
Adjusted areas without income
Updates to the supplement
Ongoing help with the cost of living
Changes to the thresholds for some benefits
To protect buying power, these changes are built into the social security system.
What Payments Might Go Up
Some types of payments may go up, such as:
Pension for Older People
Pension for people with disabilities
Payment for Carers
Payment for Job Seekers
Payment for Parents
The exact amount will depend on your situation and whether you meet the requirements.
How Much More Could You Get?
Amounts may vary, but increases usually look like this:
More money deposited every two weeks
Changed rates for supplements
Expanded eligibility for concessions
Credits for energy and utilities
When payments and concessions are added up, the annual effect could be several thousand dollars for some households.
Who Gets the Most Out of It
Households that are most likely to notice a big difference are:
Pensioners who get the full rate
Families getting more than one support payment
Renters who can get help with their rent
Households with low incomes and not much extra money
Recipients who are not affected by cuts to income or asset taper
People who get part-payments may see smaller increases.
Real Life Experiences
Christine, 71, from Adelaide, said that indexation increases help pay for groceries that are getting more expensive.
“It’s not a big deal,” she said, “but it keeps us steady.”
A family in Sydney who gets help with parenting and rent said that combining the two payments made it easier to budget each month.
Over the course of the year, these small changes can add up.
What Could Lower Your Boost
Even with planned raises, some things may keep you from getting as much as you want:
More money from part-time work
More money in super
Returns on investments
Changes in the status of a relationship
New asset values
Tests of income and assets still decide how much the final payment will be.
What You Should Do Next
To get the most out of your household’s benefits:
Make sure the information about your income and assets is correct.
Check to see if you can get supplements
Keep an eye on payment alerts
Check the status of rent help
Keep up with the dates for indexation.
Keeping records up to date makes sure that payments are made correctly.
