Australia Rent Assistance rates by family situation
This explanation covers Services Australia’s published maximum fortnightly Rent Assistance rates for different household situations.
On this page
- Income support or ABSTUDY maximum
- Single A$223.80; single sharer A$149.20; couple combined A$211.00Services Australia Rent Assistance
- Family Tax Benefit maximum
- A$263.06 with 1 or 2 children; A$297.36 with 3 or moreServices Australia Rent Assistance
Rent determines the amount
Rent Assistance depends on rent paid above a minimum. Services Australia Rent Assistance (opens in a new tab).
Each A$1 above that minimum attracts 75 cents, up to the maximum. Services Australia Rent Assistance (opens in a new tab).
Income support and ABSTUDY
The maximum fortnightly rate is A$223.80 for a single person, or A$149.20 for a single sharer. Services Australia Rent Assistance (opens in a new tab).
A couple’s combined maximum is A$211.00. Services Australia Rent Assistance (opens in a new tab).
Separated couples: income support and ABSTUDY
For one member separated due to illness, a partner’s respite care or prison, the maximum is A$223.80 fortnightly. Services Australia Rent Assistance (opens in a new tab).
Temporary separation has an A$211.00 fortnightly maximum. Services Australia Rent Assistance (opens in a new tab).
Rates paid with Family Tax Benefit
Singles and couples with 1 or 2 children have an A$263.06 fortnightly maximum; with 3 or more, A$297.36. Services Australia Rent Assistance (opens in a new tab).
The same child-number maxima apply to separated members of couples listed in the family table. Services Australia Rent Assistance (opens in a new tab).
Published rates and scope
Services Australia updates rates on 20 March and 20 September annually in line with the Consumer Price Index. Services Australia Rent Assistance (opens in a new tab).
Rates were retrieved on 4 October 2026. This general explanation is not an eligibility or payment estimate and excludes rent thresholds and special board-and-lodging calculations. No matching Rent Assistance calculator or numerical worked example is provided.