CANBERRA — For many of our seniors, the daily news is often dominated by the rising cost of living. At Services Australia, we know that behind every statistic is a person trying to make their budget stretch just a little further.
Following the scheduled March 20 indexation, most Age Pensioners will have seen a modest increase in their payments this April. While we understand that for many, this feels like a small drop in a very large ocean, these adjustments are designed to help your payment keep pace with the changing economy.
The New Rates: What’s in Your Pocket?
The recent indexation has raised the maximum fortnightly rates to help balance the increased cost of essentials like groceries and fuel.
| Pensioner Status | New Fortnightly Max Rate | The Increase |
| Single | $1,200.90 | +$22.20 |
| Couple (Combined) | $1,810.40 | +$33.40 |
| Couple (Separated by illness) | $1,200.90 (each) | +$22.20 |
These totals include the Pension Supplement and the Energy Supplement.
Extra Relief: Rent and Energy
Beyond the base pension, we have updated several smaller payments that provide a vital “buffer” for those with specific costs.
- Rent Assistance: If you rent privately, the maximum rate has increased. For a single person, this is now $219.40 per fortnight.
- Energy Supplement: While modest, this remains part of your payment ($14.10 for singles / $10.60 for couples) to assist with utility bills.
- PBS Savings: A significant update for 2026 is the freeze on medicine costs. The maximum co-payment for pensioners on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) remains at $7.70, ensuring your scripts don’t become a choice between health and food.
Updates for Part-Pensioners: Deeming & Working
If you have some savings or still enjoy a little bit of part-time work, two important updates may affect you:
- Deeming Rates: For the first time since their long-term freeze, deeming rates have been adjusted to 1.25% for the lower tier and 3.25% for the upper tier. This reflects higher interest rates in the market.
- Work Bonus: The $300 fortnightly Work Bonus continues to be a powerful tool. It allows you to earn up to $300 in employment income every two weeks without it affecting your pension at all. This is on top of the standard income free area ($218 for singles).
“I Need to Talk to Someone”—How to Reach Us
We know that the myGov website and the Express Plus app aren’t for everyone. If you find navigating the digital world stressful, our staff are here to help you over the phone or in person.
Within Australia:
- Older Australians Line: 132 300 (8 am – 5 pm local time).
- Financial Information Service (FIS): 132 300 (Ask to speak to a FIS officer for free, independent help with your finances).
- Multilingual Service: 131 202 (If you prefer to speak in your native language).
- Website https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/
For our Expats and Travelers Overseas: We have dedicated lines to ensure you aren’t left behind while abroad:
- International Enquiries: +61 3 6222 3455
- UK Free Call: 0800 1695 865
- USA Free Call: 1 866 3433 086
- NZ Free Call: 0800 441 248
A Final Note of Care
We recognize that no amount of indexation can fully remove the stress of a “cost of living” crisis. If you are in immediate financial hardship, please call us. You may be eligible for a Crisis Payment or an Advance Payment to help cover an urgent bill.
Your Pensioner Concession Card also unlocks significant discounts on council rates, water, and electricity—please ensure you contact your local providers to make sure those discounts are active.