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Utilities / AU Welfare & Benefits / Services Australia CRA
Services Australia 2026 Rates (75c in the Dollar Formula)

Commonwealth Rent Assistance Calculator

Estimate your Australian Centrelink Rent Assistance (CRA) payment without logging into myGov. Compare minimum rent thresholds, 75c per dollar taper rates, and maximum fortnightly payments.

Single (Living Alone)

Your share of private rent or board

A$

Centrelink assesses rent on a fortnightly cycle

Converted: $1,100.00 / fortnight
STEP 1: THRESHOLD
Minimum Rent Threshold
Zero CRA paid below this rate
Threshold: $154.80 / fn
STEP 2: 75c IN THE DOLLAR
75% of Excess Rent
(Fortnight Rent - Threshold) × 0.75
Uncapped 75%: $711.00
STEP 3: 2026 STATUTORY CAP
Final Fortnightly Benefit
Capped at statutory ceiling
Fortnightly CRA: $219.40
Estimated Rent Assistance (CRA) MAXIMUM RATE PAYABLE
$219.40 / fortnight
Weekly Equiv: $109.70 / wk • Annualised Benefit: $5,704.40 / yr

Rates checked September 12, 2026. Uses the current Services Australia rate table (official page updated June 3, 2026). Rates are indexed on March 20 and September 20; this is not a historical-rate calculator or a forecast of future payments.

Assumes eligibility for a qualifying income-support payment or Family Tax Benefit Part A. Rent alone does not establish eligibility. Choose single-parent and couple categories separately. The single-sharer threshold is the same as the single threshold; only its maximum payment is reduced. Special separation and board-and-lodging cases should be checked with Services Australia. Monthly rent uses 12/26 to estimate a fortnight.

Services Australia Rent Assistance Rates & Thresholds Table (2026)

Commonwealth Rent Assistance is an untaxed supplementary income support payment. To receive the maximum fortnightly payment, your rent must reach or exceed the rent ceiling threshold.

Living Situation Min. Fortnightly Rent for CRA Rent to Get Max Payment Max Payment / Fortnight
Single (no children)$154.80$447.34$219.40
Single sharer (no children)$154.80$349.83$146.27
Couple combined (no children)$250.80$526.54$206.80
Single parent, 1–2 children$203.28$547.12$257.88
Couple, 1–2 children$300.58$644.42$257.88
Single parent, 3+ children$203.28$591.92$291.48
Couple, 3+ children$300.58$689.22$291.48

Key Rules: The Sharer Rule, Qualifying Payments & Board

THE SHARER REDUCTION RULE
Two-Thirds Maximum Rate Cap
If you are single without dependent children and share major facilities (kitchen, living room, bathroom) with flatmates, the maximum payment is approximately two-thirds of the single maximum. The minimum rent threshold remains $154.80 per fortnight, the same as for a single person.
QUALIFYING CENTRELINK PAYMENTS
Automatic Add-On to Income Support
You must receive an eligible payment: JobSeeker Payment, Age Pension, Disability Support Pension (DSP), Carer Payment, Youth Allowance, Austudy, ABSTUDY, or Family Tax Benefit Part A.
BOARD AND LODGING (MEALS INCLUDED)
The Two-Thirds Rule for Lodging
Use the lodging component of board and lodging. Services Australia uses two-thirds of the total only if you cannot identify the lodging amount; special rules may change the rate category.
TAX-FREE STATUS
100% Untaxed Supplementary Payment
Commonwealth Rent Assistance is completely exempt from Australian income tax and does not count as taxable income on your annual ATO individual tax return.
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Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to sign a lease to receive Rent Assistance?

A formal tenancy lease is standard proof, but if you don't have a lease (e.g. sub-letting or paying board to family), you can provide a Centrelink Rent Certificate (SU336 form) signed by the head tenant or landlord.

What happens if my rent increases or decreases?

You must notify Services Australia within 14 days of any change to your rent or address via myGov or the Centrelink app to ensure your payment adjusts accurately without incurring an overpayment debt.

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