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Check your Age Pension eligibility
If you have reached Age Pension age you may be eligible for the Government Age Pension and other benefits including the Pensioner Concession Card, Pension Supplement and Rent Assistance.
Plan for a confident retirement
You can get the Age Pension if you:- Have reached pension age (currently 67)
- Are an Australian resident (for at least ten years)
- Pass Centrelink's Income and Assets tests
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Means testing
Your rate of Age Pension is calculated under both an assets test and an income test. The test resulting in the lowest rate will apply.
- Assets test
- Income test
Assets test
The value of assets you own is also taken into account for your Age Pension claim. For the assets test, Centrelink will count any assets you own, in Australia and overseas. This can include:
- Any physical assets, such as a car or caravan
- Your savings and investments such as shares, investment properties, term deposits and superannuation
- Part of some annuities and account based pensions
- If you own a property and use it as your place of residence it is typically not assessable under the assets test
To determine how much some of your assets are worth, Centrelink will look at the current market value. From that figure, Centrelink will generally deduct any debt you hold against each applicable asset.
Lower threshold | Upper threshold | |
|---|---|---|
| Homeowners | ||
| Single | $321,500 | $714,500 |
| Couple combined | $481,500 | $1,074,000 |
| Non-homeowners | ||
| Single | $579,500 | $972,500 |
| Couple combined | $739,500 | $1,332,000 |
Your upper threshold is higher if you are eligible to receive Rent Assistance with your pension.
Income test
The Centrelink income test generally includes any income you earn from any source, including from your assets in Australia and overseas, such as:
- Super
- Shares
- Account based pensions
- Term deposits or managed funds
When assessing income from some investment assets, Centrelink will apply a deemed rate of income. When it comes to earnings from employment or investment properties, Centrelink will generally assess the actual net income you earn.
Effective 20 September 2025, the income thresholds are as follows:
Lower threshold | Upper threshold | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fortnightly | Annual | Fortnightly | Annual | |
| Single | $218 | $5,668 | $2,575.40 | $66,960.40 |
| Couple combined | $380 | $9,880 | $3,934.00 | $102,284.00 |
Your upper threshold is higher if you are eligible to receive Rent Assistance with your pension.
Working after Age Pension age
If you choose to work past Age Pension age, there are programs in place which could make this financially beneficial.
Work Bonus
The Work Bonus was introduced in 2009 to encourage those over Age Pension age to continue to work and to make it more financially beneficial for them to do so. Its benefits were further increased on 1 July 2019.
Any eligible age pensioner can earn up to $300 per fortnight without it being assessed as income under the pension income test.
This doubles for couples where both are working - both parties may have the first $300 per fortnight of their own employment income not counted. For those with irregular or seasonal income, unused portions of the Work Bonus can be banked up to a maximum of $7,800 at any one time. Additionally, from 1 January 2024, new recipients of the Age Pension will receive an upfront one-off Work Bonus income bank credit of $4,000.
How to apply for the Age Pension
Applying for the Age Pension is simple if you follow these three steps:
Step 1 | Step 2 | Step 3 |
Gather your documents | Apply online through myGov | Submit your application |
Collect proof of identity, financial details, and any other required documents. | Log in to your myGov account and complete the Age Pension application form. | Once completed, submit your application and wait for confirmation from Services Australia. |
Start your application now on myGov or for more details visit the Services Australia website.
Maximum Age Pension rates
The Age Pension rates are updated twice a year, on 20 March and 20 September, to reflect changes in the cost of living. The actual amount of Age Pension you may receive will vary depending on your situation. Below are the current fortnightly maximum Age Pension rates as at 20 September 2025:
Your situation | Fortnightly rate | Annual rate |
|---|---|---|
| Single | $1,178.70 | $30,646.20 |
| Couple (combined) | $1,777.00 | $46,202.00 |
Source: Services Australia. Figures include Pension Supplement and Energy Supplement.
The Pension Supplement and Energy Supplement are included in these rates to help with everyday living costs. The Pension Supplement is designed to assist with expenses like utilities, phone bills, and healthcare, while the Energy Supplement provides additional support to help cover energy costs.
For those on transitional rates (applicable to certain part-pensioners receiving eligible social security payments before 20 September 2009), the maximum amounts are different than the rates described above.
For full details, visit the Services Australia website.
Additional financial assistance
Centrelink also offers financial assistance packages for those who need extra support from time to time.
Home Equity Access Scheme
If you are over Age Pension age and need additional income, you may be able to access capital tied up in your property assets under the Home Equity Access Scheme. This was formerly known as the Pension Loan Scheme prior to 1 January 2022.
The Home Equity Access Scheme is a voluntary arrangement which provides support in the form of a loan provided by Centrelink or DVA, for a short or indefinite period. It is paid in regular fortnightly instalments. An annual interest rate of 3.95% (compounded fortnightly) is charged on the outstanding loan balance.
Advance Payments
An Advance Payment is a lump sum payment of some of your future pension entitlement and you will be required to pay it back.
As an age pensioner, you can request one, two or three Advance Payments during a six-month period, as long as the total amount falls within the minimum and maximum amount.
As of 20 September 2024, these amounts are $542.75 and $1,628.25 respectively (for each member of a couple the amounts are $409.10 and $1,227.30). This amount is then repaid from your following 13 fortnightly payments. Centrelink will only advance you an amount which it deems will not cause you financial hardship in making the repayments.
Financial Information Services
Centrelink provides a Financial Information Service which enables you to discuss your finances, how to control your debt, which payments may be available to you and how to make informed financial decisions.
You can make an appointment to speak to a Financial Information Services Officer (FISO) at any time; you do not need to be a current Centrelink customer. To make an appointment, call 132 300.
Rent Assistance
Rent Assistance is paid to those in receipt of an income support payment, who pay private rent. Those who rent from a housing authority will not be eligible.
Rent Assistance rates if you do not have dependent children.
| Family situation | Maximum payment per fortnight | Maximum payment is paid if your fortnightly rent is more than | No payment if your fortnightly rent is less than |
| Single | $212.00 | $432.27 | $149.60 |
| Single, sharer | $141.33 | $338.05 | $149.60 |
| Couple | $199.80 | $508.80 | $242.40 |
FAQs about the Age Pension
Additional reading
Value of advice
Outliving your savings
