$998.20 Centrelink Parenting Payment September 2025: Eligibility, Rates, and Payout Schedule

Raising children as a single parent in Australia can be challenging, particularly when it comes to managing everyday costs such as rent, groceries, healthcare, and education. To ease this financial pressure, the Australian Government provides ongoing support through Parenting Payments. From 20 September 2025, eligible parents will see a new increase in their base payment to $998.20 per fortnight.

This reliable income support, delivered through Services Australia (Centrelink), is designed to give single parents more stability while they focus on raising children under 14 years of age. Below, we provide a detailed breakdown of the new rates, eligibility criteria, and payout schedules.

What is the Parenting Payment?

$998.20 Centrelink Parenting Payment September 2025

The Parenting Payment is a social security benefit that supports parents who are the primary carers of children. It is generally paid to single parents with children under 14, but partnered parents may also qualify under specific conditions.

Also Read

$600 Carer Supplement Allowance in September 2025: Eligibility, Payment Dates, and Key Updates

The payment provides a base pension amount, along with supplements such as the Pension Supplement and the Energy Supplement, which are designed to assist with ongoing cost-of-living pressures.

From 20 March 2025, the base rate stood at $982.50 for singles. With the September 2025 indexation, this amount will rise to $998.20.

Quick Summary: Parenting Payment September 2025

Aspect	Details
Program Name	Parenting Payment
New Base Payment	$998.20 per fortnight
Effective Date	20 September 2025
Country	Australia
Administered By	Services Australia / Centrelink
Who Qualifies	Single parents caring for children under 14
Supplements	Pension Supplement & Energy Supplement
Payment Frequency	Fortnightly
Category	Finance / Social Welfare
Official Website	Services Australia

Parenting Payment Increase: September 2025

The September 2025 update increases Parenting Payments across multiple categories:

Also Read

Centrelink Fortnightly Payment Boosts for Pensioners from 20 September 2025: Approved and Confirmed

For Single Parents (Under Age Pension Age)

Base Pension: From $982.50 to $998.20 (increase of $15.70)
Pension Supplement: From $29.00 to $29.50 (increase of $0.50)
Energy Supplement: $12.00 (no change)
Total Payment: $1,039.70 (increase of $16.20)

For Partnered Parents (Under Age Pension Age, each)

Base Pension: From $715.10 to $726.50 (increase of $11.40)
Energy Supplement: $7.90 (no change)
Total Payment: $734.40 (increase of $11.40)

For Single Parents (Over Age Pension Age)

Base Pension: From $982.50 to $998.20 (increase of $15.70)
Pension Supplement: From $83.60 to $84.90 (increase of $1.30)
Energy Supplement: $14.10 (no change)
Total Payment: $1,097.20 (increase of $17.00)

For Partnered Parents (Over Age Pension Age, each)

Base Pension: From $715.10 to $726.50 (increase of $11.40)
Pension Supplement: From $63.00 to $64.00 (increase of $1.00)
Energy Supplement: $10.60 (no change)
Total Payment: $801.10 (increase of $12.40)

Eligibility for Parenting Payment in 2025

To qualify for the Parenting Payment September 2025, applicants must meet the following requirements:

Be the Principal Carer of a child under 14 years old.
Residency Requirement: Must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident and meet the standard residency rules.
Income and Assets Test: Must remain below the Centrelink thresholds.
Mutual Obligation Requirements: Participation in job-seeking or training activities may be required, depending on circumstances.

Income Requirements Update – September 2025

Income Free Area: Remains at $224.60 per fortnight.
Disqualifying Income Limit (under 67 years): Increased from $2,800.35 to $2,840.85 (an increase of $40.50).

This means parents can earn slightly more before their payment is reduced or cancelled.

How to Claim Parenting Payment

If you are a new applicant:

Create a MyGov Account and link it to Centrelink.
Prepare Required Documents, including proof of identity, residency, bank account details, and income/asset records.
Submit Claim Online via MyGov under Payments and Claims > Parenting Payment.
Attach Supporting Documents where required.
Track Progress: Log in to MyGov to check your application status.

If you already receive Parenting Payment, you do not need to reapply. The new payment rates will be automatically adjusted from 20 September 2025.

Fact Check: Parenting Payment September 2025

The $998.20 base rate for singles will take effect from 20 September 2025.
Supplement increases are modest, with total payments rising to $1,039.70 per fortnight for single parents under Age Pension age.
Partnered parents also benefit, with increases applied equally per person.
The Energy Supplement remains unchanged.
All changes are part of the biannual indexation (March and September) process that ensures welfare payments keep pace with inflation.

Why the Increase Matters

The cost of living in Australia continues to climb, particularly for essentials such as:

Rent and housing costs
Childcare and school-related expenses
Food and groceries
Utilities and energy bills
Medical and healthcare costs

By raising the Parenting Payment, the government aims to ensure that single parents and low-income families can continue to provide for their children without slipping further into financial hardship.