Centrelink payments in Australia are scheduled to increase in October 2025, to the relieve of millions upon millions of Australians who are dependent on the system. Most Australians will see this payments increase in their October payment due to the staggered payment systems. Payments will officially increase from September 20, 2025 which coincide with the government’s customary bi-annual indexation increase aimed at supporting payment recipients to offset the impact of inflation and increased cost of living on their payments.
| Payment Type | Increase Amount (Fortnightly) | Effective Date |
|---|---|---|
| Age Pension (Single) | $29.70 | September 20, 2025 |
| Age Pension (Couple) | $22.40 each | September 20, 2025 |
| JobSeeker (Single) | $12.50 | September 20, 2025 |
| JobSeeker (Couple) | $11.40 each | September 20, 2025 |
| Cost-of-Living Payment | $700 (one-off) | Sept–Oct 2025 |
What is Increasing?
Increased payments on Centrelink will include but are not limited to Age Pension, JobSeeker, and Disability Support Pension, Carer Payment and more. For Age Pension recipients, their fortnight maximum payment will increase by $1,178.70. Couples will applying will receive an increase of $44.80 which is provided at the addition of $22.40. JobSeeker payment holders will also see an addition with singles aged 22 and older without children gaining $12.50 subsidie to, and partnered recipients $11.40 each.
Cost-of-Living Payment Breakdown
With the regular indexation, a one-off Cost of Living Payment of $700 will be disbursed between September and October of 2025. This payment intends for certain Centrelink and Veterans’ Affairs payments recipients, which include age pensioners and the DSP, carers, and eligible JobSeeker recipients. The purpose of this payment is for further alleviation of the effects of inflation, especially for people and households that are already considered low-income.
Notes on Payment Schedule and Deeming Rates
Payment increases are spurred by the much-needed revisions of payment deeming rates, the first adjustment made in the past 5 years. This change will net a few pensioners more from the payment drop. The payment increases were active September 20, 2025, but a majority of the recipients will notice the payment adjustments active October first, due to the fortnight payment schedule.
How to Check Your Payment Increase
To assess payment amounts and date of payments, recipients can access their myGov accounts and check payment history or use the Express Plus Centrelink mobile application. There is no need to make a Centrelink payment application, as payments are adjusted automatically for those that are eligible. There are no legitimate announcements of large one-off payments that the public are misled to believe; the confirmed amounts are only the indexed payment increases, and the cost of living payment set at $700.
FAQs
1. Is the $1561 one-off payment real?
No. The one-off $1561 payment is a rumour and circulating. The only one-off payment set for 2025 and within reach is the $700 cost of living payment.
2. When will I see the increase of the payment?
The payment increases are effective starting September 20, 2025, although a lot of recipients will see the changes to their payments as early as the beginning of October.
3. Do I need to apply for the payment increase?
No. If you are eligible, the payment increase is automatic and no application needs to be made.
