How Much Rent Assistance You Can Get

The amount of Rent Assistance you receive depends on how much rent you pay. For every dollar you pay above a set threshold, you'll get 75 cents back, up to a maximum amount. Rent Assistance rates are updated twice a year—on 20 March and 20 September—to align with the Consumer Price Index.

Rates with Income Support Payments and ABSTUDY

If you receive an income support payment or ABSTUDY, your Rent Assistance is calculated based on your rent. Below are the current rates:

SituationFortnightly rent aboveMaximum payment if fortnightly rent is at leastMaximum fortnightly paymentSingle$149.00$430.60$211.20Single, sharer$149.00$336.74$140.80Couple, combined$241.40$506.74$199.00One of a couple separated due to illness, respite care, or prison$149.00$430.60$211.20One of a couple temporarily separated$149.00$414.34$199.00

Rates with Family Tax Benefit (FTB)

If you have dependent children, Rent Assistance is typically paid along with Family Tax Benefit Part A. The following are the current rates for families:

SituationFortnightly rent aboveMaximum payment if fortnightly rent is at leastMaximum fortnightly paymentSingle, with 1 or 2 children$195.58$526.54$248.22Single, with 3 or more children$195.58$569.48$280.42Couple, with 1 or 2 children$289.24$620.20$248.22Couple, with 3 or more children$289.24$663.14$280.42One of a couple separated due to illness or prison, or temporarily separated, with 1 or 2 children$195.58$526.54$248.22One of a couple separated due to illness or prison, or temporarily separated, with 3 or more children$195.58$569.48$280.42

People in Different Circumstances

If you're a single sharer or pay board and lodging, special rules may apply:

Single sharer rate: If you're a single customer with no dependent children and living in shared private accommodation, you'll receive the single sharer rate if you get one of the following payments:

ABSTUDY (Living Allowance)

Age Pension

Austudy

Farm Household Allowance

JobSeeker Payment

Special Benefit

Youth Allowance

If you pay board and lodging, your Rent Assistance will be based on the lodging portion of your payment.

If you're unsure of how much you pay for lodging, the government will calculate your Rent Assistance using two-thirds of your total board and lodging payment as rent.

Payment Adjustments

Your Rent Assistance may be adjusted if any of the following occur:

Your rent increases or decreases

You move house

Your income changes

Your family circumstances change (e.g., separation from a partner or changes in the number of children in your care)

The government will also adjust Rent Assistance amounts when payment rates change throughout the year.

For more information, contact your payment provider directly.