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Summary of pension rates, limits and allowances
Last updated:
20 September 2020
You can find the current rates for pensions and allowances.
On this page
- Service and Age Pension
- Veteran Payment
- Income Support Supplement (ISS)
- Veterans Supplement
- Disability Pension rates
- Additional Disability Pension for Specific Disabilities
- War Widow’s or Widower’s Pension
- Orphan’s Pension
- Rent Assistance
- Remote Area Allowance
- Family Tax Benefit
- Recreation Transport Allowance
- Vehicle Assistance Scheme
- Attendant Allowance
- Clothing Allowance
- Veterans’ Children Education Scheme (VCES)
- Decoration Allowance
- Victoria Cross Allowance
- Income limit before Service and Social Security Age Pension reduces
- Work Bonus
- Assets limit before Service and Social Security Age Pension reduces
- Service and Social Security Age Pension income cut-off limit
- Service & Social Security Age Pension assets cut-off limit
- Income and assets cut-off limit for the Veteran Gold Card for Service pensioners
- Income limit before ISS reduces
- Assets limit before ISS reduces
- Income cut-off limit for ISS pensioners
- Assets cut-off limit for ISS pensioners
- Income limit before Veteran Payment reduces
- Assets limit before Veteran Payment reduces
- Veteran Payment income cut-off limit
- Veteran Payment assets cut-off limit
- Income limits for student children / earnings limits for employed children
- Commonwealth Seniors Health Card income limit
- Deeming
- Funeral benefits
You will find the current rates and limits for:
- Service Pension;
- Age Pension;
- Veteran Payment;
- Income Support Supplement;
- Disability Pension;
- War Widow’s and Widower’s Pension; and
- all associated allowances under the Veterans’ Entitlements Act 1986 (VEA).
For information about payments under the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004 (MRCA), refer to Compensation Payment Rates.
For information about the calculation of Defence Force Income Support Allowance (DFISA) refer to Defence Force Income Support Allowance (DFISA).
The rates quoted are fortnightly amounts unless otherwise indicated. These rates are current from 20 September 2020 to 31 December 2020. Where relevant, the rates quoted include the energy supplement.
If your pension is still assessed under the pre-20 September 2009 rules, please refer to the rates labelled as “Transition” rates and limits.
Service and Age Pension
Current maximum rates
| Pension | $860.60 |
| Pension Supplement | $83.70 |
| Total | $944.30 |
| Pension (each) | $648.70 |
| Pension Supplement (each) | $63.10 |
| Total (each) | $711.80 |
*Note: - These rates include Energy Supplement. Refer to Energy Supplement.
Transition maximum rates
Singles rate - $789.30
Couples rate (each) - $636.80
*Note: - These rates include Energy Supplement. Refer to Energy Supplement. For pensioners paid under pre-20 September 2009 rules, the Pension Supplement is included in the transition rate of Service / Age Pension that you receive. As such, your DVA advice letters will not separately list a Pension Supplement amount.
Veteran Payment
Current maximum rates
| Basic Rate of Veteran Payment | $952.20 |
| Pension Supplement | $69.60 |
| Total | $1,021.80 |
| Pension (each) | $743.80 |
| Pension Supplement (each) | $52.50 |
| Total (each) | $796.30 |
*Note: - Veteran Payment does not include Energy Supplement.
Income Support Supplement (ISS)
Ceiling rate - $284.20
Transition Ceiling rate - $284.20
Veterans Supplement
Low Rate - $6.20
High Rate - $12.40
Disability Pension rates
| Special Rate (T&PI, blinded or TTI) | $1,451.80 |
| Intermediate Rate | $985.80 |
| Extreme Disablement Adjustment (EDA) | $802.30 |
General Rate
| Percentage | Amount | Percentage | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100% | $516.20 | 50% | $261.95 |
| 95% | $490.78 | 45% | $236.53 |
| 90% | $465.35 | 40% | $211.10 |
| 85% | $439.93 | 35% | $185.68 |
| 80% | $414.50 | 30% | $160.25 |
| 75% | $389.08 | 25% | $134.83 |
| 70% | $363.65 | 20% | $109.40 |
| 65% | $338.23 | 15% | $83.98 |
| 60% | $312.80 | 10% | $58.55 |
| 55% | $287.38 |
*Note: - These rates include Energy Supplement. Refer to Energy Supplement.
Additional Disability Pension for Specific Disabilities
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Items 1—6 | $700.70 |
| Item 7 | $231.20 |
| Item 8 | $156.20 |
| Items 9 & 10 | $133.80 |
| Item 11 & 13 | $67.00 |
| Item 12 & 14 | $34.70 |
| Item 15 | $51.70 |
War Widow’s or Widower’s Pension
Total War Widows and Widower’s Pension - $960.40
*Note: - These rates include Energy Supplement. Refer to Energy Supplement.
Orphan’s Pension
Single orphan - $105.90
Double orphan - $211.60
Rent Assistance
Maximum amount payable
Singles rate, no children - $139.60
Couples rate, no children (combined) - $131.60
Rent thresholds
Singles rate, no children - $124.60
Couples rate, no children (combined) - $201.80
*Note: - For Veteran Payment and Service and Social Security Age pensioners with dependent children, Rent Assistance is considered a child-related payment and is paid as part of Family Tax Benefit Part A through the Family Assistance Office.
Disability income rent test - income threshold
| Singles | $178.00 |
| Couples (combined) | $316.00 |
| Illness separated couples (combined) | $316.00 |
*Note: - Disability Pension in excess of these thresholds reduces the amount of Rent Assistance payable but does not affect the rate of Service Pension or Income Support Supplement.
Remote Area Allowance
| Singles rate | $18.20 |
| Couples rate (each) | $15.60 |
| Each child | $7.30 |
Family Tax Benefit
Family Tax Benefit may be paid to income support pensioners in respect of dependent children.
Veterans' Affairs income support pensioners receive the maximum rate of Family Tax Benefit Part A irrespective of their income. If income support is not received for a period of time, the normal income test for FTB A will apply during that period. This may result in less than the maximum rate of payment being received until the DVA benefit becomes payable again.
Application for and enquiries about payment of this benefit should be made to Services Australia.
Recreation Transport Allowance
High rate - $92.70
Low rate - $46.00
Vehicle Assistance Scheme
Maintenance and running costs - $2,410.20 (per year)
Attendant Allowance
High rate - $346.50
Low rate - $173.00
Clothing Allowance
| High rate | $14.50 |
| Mid rate | $9.90 |
| Low rate | $6.70 |
Veterans’ Children Education Scheme (VCES)
Primary students - $280.40 (per year)
Secondary and tertiary students (fortnightly rate)
| Age | At home | Living away from home | Homeless |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 16 | $58.10 | $394.20 | $469.50 |
| 16-17 | $257.10 | $469.50 | $469.50 |
| 18 & over | $309.20 | $469.50 | $469.50 |
Decoration Allowance
Decoration Allowance - $2.10
Victoria Cross Allowance
Victoria Cross Allowance of $4,614.00 per annum is paid to those veterans who have been awarded this decoration.
Income limit before Service and Social Security Age Pension reduces
Current limits
| Singles | $178.00 |
| Couples (combined) | $316.00 |
| Illness separated couples (combined) | $316.00 |
*Note: - These figures may be higher if your assessable income is reduced under the Work Bonus.
Transition Limits
For each child, increase above limits by - $24.60
Work Bonus
Work Bonus Income Concession - $300.00
Maximum balance for Work Bonus Bank - $7,800.00
Assets limit before Service and Social Security Age Pension reduces
Homeowners
| Singles | $268,000 |
| Couples (combined) | $401,500 |
| Illness separated couples (combined) | $401,500 |
Non-homeowners
| Singles | $482,500 |
| Couples (combined) | $616,000 |
| Illness separated couples (combined) | $616,000 |
Service and Social Security Age Pension income cut-off limit
Current limits
| Singles | $2,066.60 |
| Couples (combined) | $3,163.20 |
| Illness separated couples (combined) | $4,093.20 |
*Note: - These figures may be higher if your assessable income is reduced under the Work Bonus.
Transition Limits
| Singles | $2,151.25 |
| Couples (combined) | $3,500.00 |
| Illness separated couples (combined) | $4,262.50 |
Service & Social Security Age Pension assets cut-off limit
Current Limits
Homeowner
| Singles | $583,000 |
| Couples (combined) | $876,500 |
| Illness separated couples (combined) | $1,031,500 |
Non-homeowner
| Singles | $797,500 |
| Couples (combined) | $1,091,000 |
| Illness separated couples (combined) | $1,246,000 |
Transition Limits
Homeowner
| Singles | $531,250 |
| Couples (combined) | $826,500 |
| Illness separated couples (combined) | $928,000 |
Non-homeowner
| Singles | $745,750 |
| Couples (combined) | $1,041,000 |
| Illness separated couples (combined) | $1,142,500 |
Income and assets cut-off limit for the Veteran Gold Card for Service pensioners
Income
Singles - $440.40 (per fortnight)
Couples (combined) - $767.60 (per fortnight)
Assets
Homeowners
Singles - $311,750
Couples (combined) - $477,000
Assets
Non-homeowners
Singles - $526,250
Couples (combined) - $691,500
Transition Limits
Income
| Singles | $506.00 |
| Couples (combined) | $880.50 |
| For each child, increase by | $24.60 |
Assets
Homeowners
Singles - $311,750
Couples (combined) - $477,000
Non-homeowners
Singles - $526,250
Couples (combined) - $691,500
Income limit before ISS reduces
Current Limits
| Singles | $1,470.00 |
| Couples (combined) | $1,984.00 |
| Illness separated couples (combined) | $2,900.00 |
*Note 1: - These amounts include the War Widow’s or Widower’s Pension.
*Note 2: - These figures may be higher if your assessable income is reduced under the Work Bonus.
*Note 3: - War Widow’s or Widower’s Pension includes compensation for a member’s death payable to you or your partner under section 234(1)(b) of the MRCA. Any MRCA permanent impairment compensation payable to you or your partner is also counted as income.
*Note 4: - These amounts will vary if you were in receipt of a Social Security and War Widow’s Pension prior to 1 November 1986 and your maximum rate of Income Support Supplement is more than $284.20 per fortnight.
Transition Limits
| Singles | $1,405.50 |
| Couples (combined) | $2,026.00 |
| Illness separated couples (combined) | $2,771.00 |
| For each child, increase by | $24.60 |
*Note 1: - These amounts include the War Widow’s or Widower’s Pension.
*Note 2: - War Widow’s or Widower’s Pension includes compensation for a member’s death payable to you or your partner under section 234(1)(b) of the MRCA. Any MRCA permanent impairment compensation payable to you or your partner is also counted as income.
*Note 3: - These amounts will vary if you were in receipt of a Social Security and War Widow’s Pension prior to 1 November 1986 and your maximum rate of Income Support Supplement is more than $284.20 per fortnight.
Assets limit before ISS reduces
Homeowners
| Singles | $483,500 |
| Couples (combined) | $679,500 |
| Illness separated couples (combined) | $832,500 |
Non-homeowners
| Singles | $698,000 |
| Couples (combined) | $894,000 |
| Illness separated couples (combined) | $1,047,000 |
Transition Limits
Homeowner
| Singles | $431,750 |
| Couples (combined) | $629,500 |
| Illness separated couples (combined) | $729,000 |
Non-homeowner
| Singles | $646,250 |
| Couples (combined) | $844,000 |
| Illness separated couples (combined) | $943,500 |
Income cut-off limit for ISS pensioners
Current Rates
| Singles | $2,038.40 |
| Couples (combined) | $3,120.80 |
| Illness separated couples (combined) | $4,036.80 |
*Note 1: - These amounts include the War Widow’s or Widower’s Pension.
*Note 2: - These figures may be higher if your assessable income is reduced under the Work Bonus.
*Note 3: - These amounts will vary if you were in receipt of a Social Security and War Widow’s Pension prior to 1 November 1986 and your maximum rate of Income Support Supplement is more than $284.20 per fortnight.
Transition Rates
| Singles | $2,116.00 |
| Couples (combined) | $3,447.00 |
| Illness separated couples (combined) | $4,192.00 |
*Note 1: - These amounts include the War Widow’s or Widower’s Pension.
*Note 2: - These amounts will vary if you were in receipt of a Social Security and War Widow’s Pension prior to 1 November 1986 and your maximum rate of Income Support Supplement is more than $284.20 per fortnight.
Assets cut-off limit for ISS pensioners
Current Limits
Homeowner
| Singles | $578,250 |
| Couples (combined) | $869,000 |
| Illness separated couples (combined) | $1,022,000 |
Non-homeowner
| Singles | $792,750 |
| Couples (combined) | $1,083,500 |
| Illness separated couples (combined) | $1,236,500 |
Transition Limits
Homeowner
| Singles | $526,500 |
| Couples (combined) | $819,000 |
| Illness separated couples (combined) | $918,500 |
Non-homeowner
| Singles | $741,000 |
| Couples (combined) | $1,033,500 |
| Illness separated couples (combined) | $1,133,000 |
Income limit before Veteran Payment reduces
Current limits
| Singles | $178.00 |
| Couples (combined) | $316.00 |
| Illness separated couples (combined) | $316.00 |
Assets limit before Veteran Payment reduces
Homeowners
| Singles | $268,000 |
| Couples (combined) | $401,500 |
| Illness separated couples (combined) | $401,500 |
Non-homeowners
| Singles | $482,500 |
| Couples (combined) | $616,000 |
| Illness separated couples (combined) | $616,000 |
Veteran Payment income cut-off limit
Current limits
| Singles | $2,221.60 |
| Couples (combined) | $3,501.20 |
| Illness separated couples (combined) | $4,403.20 |
Veteran Payment assets cut-off limit
Homeowners
| Singles | $608,750 |
| Couples (combined) | $932,500 |
| Illness separated couples (combined) | $1,083,000 |
Non-homeowners
| Singles | $823,250 |
| Couples (combined) | $1,147,000 |
| Illness separated couples (combined) | $1,297,500 |
Income limits for student children / earnings limits for employed children
Employed Child (under 16 years) - $11,284.00 (per year)
Student Child (16-22 years) - $11,893.60 (per year)
Commonwealth Seniors Health Card income limit
| Singles | $55,808 (per year) |
| Couples (combined) | $89,290 (per year) |
| Illness separated couples (combined) | $111,616 (per year) |
| Dependent child (each) increases limit | $639.60 |
Deeming
| Singles | Couples | |
|---|---|---|
| Low | 0.25% interest up to the threshold of $53,000 | 0.25% interest up to the threshold of $88,000 |
| High | 2.25% interest for the remaining balance | 2.25% interest for the remaining balance |
Funeral benefits
Assistance of up to $2,000 is payable towards funeral expenses of certain veterans including T&PI veterans, those whose death is accepted as being war or service caused, and those who died in needy circumstances.