How much is the single parenting payment in Australia? The Australian Government provides several financial benefits for single parents who raise their child or children without the support of a partner. This financial assistance from the government helps to cover the costs of raising children in Australia.
This single-parent payment means a great deal to single mums or dads who struggle to make ends meet. If you want to understand exactly how much the single parenting payment is, what you are eligible for, and how a family lawyer can help if something goes wrong, this article is for you.
How Much Is the Single Parenting Payment in 2026?
Each year on 20 March and 20 September, Services Australia updates the rates for the single parenting payment. It is best to check their website here for the most recent figures.
As of 20 March 2026, the maximum fortnightly Parenting Payment (Single) is $1,017.20, plus a pension supplement of $30.10. This gives a combined base total of $1,047.30 per fortnight, before the Energy Supplement is added.
| Your circumstance | Maximum fortnightly payment (from 20 March 2026) |
|---|---|
| Single | $1,017.20 Parenting Payment + $30.10 pension supplement |
| Partnered | $740.30 |
| Partnered, separated due to illness, respite care or prison | $866.00 |
The Parenting Payment (Single) is classified as a pension-type payment, which means recipients also receive the Pensioner Concession Card — giving access to discounted prescriptions, bulk billing, and utility concessions. This is a significant advantage over JobSeeker Payment, which is an allowance-type payment with less favourable conditions.
Additional Payments You Can Receive
If you are eligible for the Single Parenting Payment, you can also receive a range of additional payments. Together, these can significantly increase the total support available to your family.
Energy Supplement. This is a form of financial assistance that helps you pay your energy costs. The amount you can claim from the Energy Supplement depends on your circumstances.
Rent Assistance. This financial assistance helps single parents pay their rent. To be eligible, you must pay above a minimum rent threshold. You will receive 75 cents for each $1 beyond the minimum rent threshold. For single parents with one to two children, the maximum Commonwealth Rent Assistance is up to $218.40 per fortnight.
Family Tax Benefit (FTB). The Family Tax Benefit is designed to assist with the cost of raising children. It is a two-part payment:
- Part A is aimed at all families in general. The maximum rate per child is approximately $222.04 per fortnight for children aged 0-12 and $288.82 per fortnight for children aged 13-19.
- Part B is for single parents or single carers. Importantly, single parents receive Part B regardless of their income — there is no income test applied.
Child Care Subsidy (CCS). The Child Care Subsidy helps eligible single parents with the cost of child care for children under 13 who use approved child care services. Single parents on PPS typically qualify for the maximum 90% CCS rate.
Other payments you may also be eligible for include the Pharmaceutical Allowance, Telephone Allowance, Education Entry Payment, Pensioner Education Supplement, Mobility Allowance, and Remote Area Allowance.
To illustrate how payments can stack, a single parent with two young children who pays rent could receive approximately $1,054.30 (PPS) + $444.08 (FTB Part A for two children) + $188.86 (FTB Part B) + $218.40 (Rent Assistance) — totalling nearly $1,906 per fortnight in government support, before the Child Care Subsidy is counted.
Criteria You Must Meet to Get the Single Parenting Payment
Aside from knowing how much the single-parenting payment is, you must know whether you are eligible to receive it. Below are the criteria you must meet.
1. You Must Satisfy the Principal Carer Rules
To get the Single Parenting Payment, you must be the main carer of a young child or children. The child you are caring for must be younger than:
- 14 years of age, if you are single
- 6 years of age, if you have a partner
You are considered the principal carer of a child if you have the most responsibility for all of their day-to-day care, welfare, and development. Single parents and carers can remain on the Single Parenting Payment until their youngest qualifying child turns 14.
2. You Must Meet the Residency Requirement
When you claim your single-parenting payment, you must meet the residency rules. You must be living in Australia, physically present in Australia, and an Australian citizen.
As an exception, if you are claiming under a Social Security Agreement, you may still qualify even if you do not meet all residency requirements, due to international arrangements between Australia and other countries.
3. You Must Not Have Claimed Before the Birth of the Child
The rules prohibit claiming this payment before the child is born.
4. You Must Meet the Assets Test and Be Under the Income Limits
Your assets and income can only be worth up to a certain amount at any given time. The asset limit for a single homeowner is $280,000 and the asset limit for a single non-homeowner is $504,500. These figures are subject to change, so check the Services Australia website for the most up-to-date numbers.
Assets that may affect your single parenting payment include items and property you own, items and property you have an interest in, any debts owed to you, and any assets held overseas.
How the Income Test Works
The income test for Parenting Payment Single is the most generous income test of any working-age Centrelink payment. Your payment is reduced by 40 cents for every dollar you earn over the income-free area.
For single parents, the income threshold before your payment starts to reduce depends on how many children you have:
| Number of children | Income per fortnight before payment reduces |
|---|---|
| 1 | $220.60 |
| 2 | $245.20 |
| 3 | $269.80 |
| More than 3 | $269.80 plus $24.60 for each additional child |
If your gross income exceeds approximately $2,854 per fortnight, your Parenting Payment reduces to zero. This cut-off point increases by $24.60 per additional child. Services Australia uses the gross amount of your income (the total before deductions such as tax) for the income test. If your income comes from a business or real estate, they use the net amount.
It is worth noting that child support received from a former partner is not counted as income for PPS purposes, but it may affect your Family Tax Benefit entitlement.
The 2023 Reform — What Changed for Single Parents
One of the most significant recent changes to single-parent support was introduced in the 2023-24 Federal Budget. The Albanese Labour Government raised the age cut-off for the Parenting Payment (Single) from 8 to 14 years, effective from 20 September 2023.
Before this reform, single parents were moved off PPS and onto the lower-rate JobSeeker Payment when their youngest child turned 8 — a sudden drop of $176.90 per fortnight. This change is part of a $1.9 billion investment through to 2026-27, aimed at strengthening the financial safety net for single parents and acknowledging the challenges they face in balancing work and family responsibilities.
Approximately 57,000 single principal carers benefited from this change, including 52,000 women and around 5,700 First Nations carers.
What Happens When Your Child Turns 14?
When your youngest child turns 14, your eligibility for the Parenting Payment Single ends and you are transferred to JobSeeker Payment. This represents a meaningful drop in income.
When your youngest child turns 8, you will begin to have participation requirements, meaning you need to be looking for work of at least 15 hours per week, studying, or completing approved activities. However, you remain on the higher PPS rate until your child turns 14.
To plan for the transition, consider increasing your work hours gradually while on PPS, building savings during the PPS period to buffer the income drop, and exploring study or training options that improve your future earning capacity.
Do You Have Issues With Your Single Parenting Payment?
Single parenting is not easy. It can be financially challenging, emotionally demanding, and logistically complex. But it is also incredibly rewarding.
If you are struggling with a legal issue regarding your single-parenting payment, do not hesitate to consult JB Solicitors. Our family lawyers are willing to assist you by:
- Helping you understand the eligibility requirements for single-parenting payments
- Helping you apply for single-parenting payments
- Representing you if your application for single-parenting payments is denied
- Helping you negotiate a parenting plan with your ex-partner
- Representing you in court if there is a dispute about single-parenting payments or principal-carer status
Contact us today to get more information about financial support for parenting payments.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Single Parenting Payment
Q: How much is the single parenting payment per fortnight in 2026?
As of 20 March 2026, the maximum single parenting payment is $1,017.20 per fortnight, plus a pension supplement of $30.10. This is updated twice a year by Services Australia.
Q: Can I receive the single-parent payment if I work part-time?
Yes. PPS has a very generous income test — your payment reduces by only 40 cents for every dollar you earn over the income-free area, and payments do not cut out entirely until your income reaches approximately $2,854 per fortnight. This means working part-time while on PPS can be highly worthwhile financially.
Q: Does child support count as income for the parenting payment?
Child support payments received from a former partner are not counted as income for Parenting Payment Single purposes. However, child support may affect your Family Tax Benefit entitlement.
Q: What happens to my payment when my youngest child turns 14?
Your eligibility for Parenting Payment Single ends when your youngest qualifying child turns 14. You will be transferred to JobSeeker Payment, which has a lower base rate and a less generous income test. It is important to plan ahead for this transition.
Q: Can I claim the single parenting payment if I am separated but not yet divorced?
Yes. The definition of “single” for PPS purposes includes being separated from your partner — you do not need to be legally divorced to be eligible. You will need to provide details of your separation when making your claim.
Q: What is the asset limit for the single-parenting payment?
The asset limit for a single homeowner is $280,000, and the asset limit for a single non-homeowner is $504,500. If the value of your assets exceeds these limits, you will not be eligible for the payment. These figures are reviewed periodically by Services Australia.
Q: Can I receive the single parenting payment if I recently arrived in Australia as a resident?
Yes, if you meet the residency requirements, you can claim this payment. However, you may need to wait two to four years. To know more about the waiting periods for newly arrived residents, check the Services Australia website.
Q: What can I do if my application for single-parenting payment is denied?
If your application is denied, you have the right to seek a review of that decision. A family lawyer can help you understand the grounds for the decision, gather supporting evidence, and represent you through the review process. Contact JB Solicitors for guidance.
