A type of superannuation income stream drawn from an accumulation super account. When you convert your super balance to an ABP, you receive regular drawdowns from it. For Centrelink purposes, the ABP account balance is assessed under the assets test, and deemed income is applied to the balance under the income test — regardless of what you actually draw down.

The period before you start drawing from your superannuation — when contributions are being made and growing inside the fund. If you are below Age Pension age, your super in accumulation phase is not assessed under either the income test or the assets test. This makes it a powerful strategy for age-gap couples.

The assessment used by Centrelink to determine whether a care recipient needs a substantial level of care — and therefore whether the carer qualifies for Carer Payment. The assessment covers physical, cognitive, and behavioural domains. A score of 20 or above typically satisfies the care needs test.

A senior Centrelink officer who reviews decisions on request. The ARO is the first formal step in the appeals process — it must be requested within 13 weeks of the original decision date if you want backdated payments restored. The ARO can affirm, vary, or set aside the original decision. ARO review is free and you can submit additional evidence.

The independent tribunal that reviews Centrelink decisions after an ARO review. The ART replaced the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) in October 2024. Two tiers exist: ART First Review (which any party can request) and ART Second Review (limited grounds). The ART is independent of Services Australia and can compel Centrelink to produce evidence and witnesses.

The main government income support payment for Australians who have reached Age Pension age (67), meet residency requirements, and pass the income and assets tests. The maximum rate (including Pension Supplement and Energy Supplement) for a single person is $1,200.90 per fortnight as of 9 July 2026.

The minimum age at which you can claim Age Pension. Currently 67 for both men and women. This was progressively increased from 65 to 67 between 2017 and 2023. There are no current plans to increase it further.

One of two means tests used to determine Age Pension eligibility and rate. The assets test counts the market value of everything you own (except your principal home) against set thresholds. If your assets exceed the lower threshold, your pension reduces by $3 per fortnight for every $1,000 over. If assets exceed the upper cut-off, no pension is paid.

Age Pension is generally not backdated. Your start date is the date Centrelink receives your claim, or the date you became eligible — whichever is later. If you submit your claim up to 13 weeks before you turn 67, your start date is locked in as your pension age birthday, not the later processing date.

An asset left to you through a Will. An inheritance is assessed as an asset once received and may affect your Centrelink entitlements. You must notify Centrelink within 14 days of receiving an inheritance. Centrelink does not apply gifting rules to inheritances — the full value of assets received is counted from the date of receipt. However, if you later pass any of the inheritance on to family, those onward transfers ARE gifts and the gifting rules apply.

A supplementary fortnightly payment of $162.60 for someone providing daily care to a person with a disability, severe medical condition, or who is frail aged. Different from Carer Payment — Carer Allowance is income-tested at the family level (under $250,000/year combined) but has no assets test, and can be paid in addition to other Centrelink payments. The carer does not need to give up work.

A pension-type payment for someone whose primary occupation is caring for a person with high-care needs. Carer Payment uses the same income and assets tests as Age Pension and pays at the same rate. Unlike Carer Allowance, Carer Payment requires the carer to be providing constant care (typically meaning they cannot work more than 25 hours a week including travel). Subject to the ADAT score threshold.

A non-indexed annual lump sum of $600 paid each July to people receiving Carer Payment, Carer Allowance, or Carer Adjustment Payment. Paid automatically — no separate claim required.

A rule under the Centrelink home exemption that lets land beyond 2 hectares (~5 acres) still count as part of your principal home, if you've owned and continuously used the property for at least 20 years and it can't be readily severed. Without this rule, only the principal home and the surrounding 2 hectares are exempt; land beyond (what Centrelink statements call your "curtilage") is treated as a separate asset.

A non-pensioner concession card for self-funded retirees over Age Pension age. Provides cheaper PBS prescriptions and some Medicare benefits, but fewer state-government concessions than the Pensioner Concession Card. Has an income test (combined adjusted taxable income) but no assets test. Useful when assets exceed the Age Pension cutoff but income is moderate.

A term used differently in different places. The formal regulatory definition is "the land adjacent to your principal home" — all of it, including whatever's exempt. But on the letters and statements that Centrelink actually sends out, "curtilage" generally refers specifically to the assessable excess land — the bit beyond your exempt 2 hectares (under the standard 5-acre rule) that's being counted against your assets test. Throughout our site we use the Centrelink-statement meaning, because that's the language readers will see on their own paperwork. So when we say "curtilage," we mean the assessable land; when we mean the exempt portion, we say "home" or "home and exempt 2 hectares."

Centrelink's method for calculating assumed income from your financial assets. Instead of tracking what your investments actually earn, Centrelink applies a set rate (the deeming rate) to your financial assets. The lower rate (1.25%) applies to assets up to the threshold; the upper rate (3.25%) applies above it.

The rates applied to financial assets to calculate deemed income. There are two: the lower rate (1.25%) for assets below the threshold, and the upper rate (3.25%) for the remainder. Deeming rates are set by the Minister and can be changed at any time.

The financial asset level up to which the lower deeming rate applies. Currently $66,800 for singles and $110,600 for couples (combined). Financial assets above the threshold are deemed at the higher rate.

When you give away assets (or sell them below market value) in excess of the allowable gifting limits, Centrelink treats the excess as a "deprived asset" — it is still counted against your means tests for 5 years from the date of each gift. The annual gifting limit is $10,000 and the 5-year rolling limit is $30,000.

A multi-year strategy for transferring larger amounts to family while minimising Centrelink deprivation impact. Typically combines annual gifts within the $10,000 limit with a genuine documented loan that is forgiven in stages over subsequent financial years. Requires careful timing of the financial-year boundary, proper loan documentation, and consideration of how each gift's independent 5-year deprivation clock interacts. Not a do-it-yourself strategy — professional advice is essential before structuring any transfer over $20,000.

Income support for people aged 16 to Age Pension age with a permanent physical, intellectual, or psychiatric condition that prevents them from working 15 or more hours per week. The maximum single rate is the same as Age Pension. DSP converts to Age Pension automatically when the recipient turns 67.

The Australian government department administering payments and services for veterans, their partners, and their dependants. DVA payments (Service Pension, Disability Compensation Payment, War Widow(er)'s Pension) are separate from Centrelink Age Pension but use comparable income/assets tests. DVA Service Pension can be paid to a veteran's partner — the Partner Service Pension — at age 60 (5 years earlier than Centrelink Age Pension age).

A small additional payment included within the total Age Pension rate to help pensioners with energy costs. It is included in the maximum pension rates quoted on this site — it is not a separate payment you need to claim. The amount is approximately $14.10 per fortnight for singles.

Centrelink's standard limit on how much land surrounding your principal home is exempt from the assets test. Up to 2 hectares (roughly 5 acres) around your home is exempt; land beyond that (what Centrelink statements call your "curtilage") is assessed as a separate asset at market value. Exceptions: the 20-year continuous attachment rule can exempt larger properties; some Centrelink officers may take a flexible view if surplus land cannot be readily severed.

The rules that limit how much you can give away without affecting your Age Pension. You can gift up to $10,000 per financial year and no more than $30,000 over any 5-year rolling period. Amounts above these limits are treated as deprived assets for 5 years. See also: Deprivation.

A formal arrangement where you transfer an asset (often to a family member) in exchange for the right to live in a property for the rest of your life. Centrelink has specific rules for how granny flat interests are valued and assessed. They are not subject to the standard gifting/deprivation rules if structured correctly.

For Centrelink purposes, a "homeowner" is someone who holds a right or interest in the property they live in — including outright owners, mortgagees, people with a life interest, and some retirement village residents. Homeowners face lower asset test thresholds than non-homeowners, because their home is assumed to provide stable housing and is exempt from assessment.

The amount of income you can receive per fortnight without reducing your Age Pension. Currently $226 for singles and $396 combined for couples. Income above this level reduces the pension by 50 cents per $1 (for singles) or 25 cents per person per $1 (for couples).

One of two means tests for Age Pension. The income test assesses your regular income — including deemed income from financial assets, employment income (net of Work Bonus), rental income, super pensions, and overseas pensions. Centrelink applies the income test and assets test simultaneously and pays the lower resulting amount.

Income support for people aged 22 to Age Pension age who are unemployed and looking for work, or temporarily unable to work due to injury or illness. The rate is lower than Age Pension and includes mutual obligation requirements (job search, training, etc.). When one partner reaches Age Pension age and the other is still working-age, the younger partner is often directed to JobSeeker. Subject to combined household income and assets tests at couple-combined thresholds.

A concession card for low-income earners not receiving an Age Pension or other Centrelink income support. Provides cheaper PBS prescriptions and state-government concessions (varies by state). Income-tested over an 8-week rolling period (so a temporary income spike won't lose your card immediately), but no assets test. Useful for younger partners under Age Pension age, or self-funded retirees with low income but moderate assets.

A one-off receipt of money — e.g. inheritance, redundancy, insurance payout, lottery, or proceeds from selling an asset. Most lump sums are not treated as income (so they don't trigger an income test reduction) but they are treated as an asset from the date you receive them. A lump sum can therefore quietly reduce your Age Pension via the assets test. Lump sums must be reported to Centrelink within 14 days.

The price that an asset would reasonably sell for in the current market — between a willing buyer and a willing seller. Centrelink assesses assets at market value, not purchase price, insured value, or sentimental value. You may be asked to provide evidence of market value for real estate and unusual assets.

A collective term for the income test and assets test together. Both tests are applied to every Age Pension claim and reviewed regularly. Centrelink applies both simultaneously and pays the lower of the two resulting pension amounts.

A couple where only one partner has reached Age Pension age (currently 67) and the other has not. Centrelink still treats them as a couple — applying couple-combined income and assets tests — but pays Age Pension only to the partner who has reached pension age, at the couple-each rate (not the single rate). Two specific rules apply: (1) the younger partner's super in accumulation phase is excluded from the assets test, and (2) the Work Bonus applies only to the older partner's employment income, though both partners' incomes count in the test.

The Australian government's online services portal (my.gov.au), used to access Centrelink, Medicare, the ATO, and other services in one place. Most people claim and manage Age Pension through myGov. You'll need a myGov account linked to Centrelink to submit a claim online.

A person who does not own (or hold a similar right in) their residence. Non-homeowners face higher assets test thresholds than homeowners, recognising that they face ongoing rental costs. The non-homeowner threshold for a single person is $600,000 vs $333,000 for homeowners.

An amount Centrelink calculates as having been paid to you that you weren't entitled to — typically because circumstances changed and weren't reported in time. Overpayments become Centrelink debts and must be repaid (usually via a deduction from ongoing payments or a payment plan). Genuine mistakes are not penalised, but failure to report changes within 14 days can attract penalty interest. Decisions to raise a debt can be appealed.

An Age Pension payment at a reduced rate — less than the maximum — because the person's income or assets exceed the lower threshold but not the cut-off point. Many Australians receive a part pension.

The most generous of the three health care cards. Issued automatically to Age Pension, DSP, and Carer Payment recipients. Provides cheaper PBS prescriptions, bulk-billed GP visits (where the GP chooses to), state-government concessions (electricity, water, council rates, transport — varies by state), and Medicare Safety Net benefits. Even getting $1/fortnight of Age Pension qualifies you for a PCC, which is often more valuable than the pension itself.

An additional payment included in the maximum Age Pension rate, combining several smaller supplements that previously existed separately (Pharmaceutical Allowance, Utilities Allowance, GST Supplement, and Telephone Allowance). It is not a separate payment — it is built into the rates quoted on this site. Approximately $81.60 per fortnight for singles.

The property you live in as your main residence. Your principal home is exempt from the assets test, regardless of its value. The home exemption also covers up to 2 hectares (about 5 acres) of land on the same title used for private/domestic purposes; land beyond that (which Centrelink statements call your "curtilage") is treated as a separate asset.

An additional payment for Age Pension recipients who rent privately and pay above the minimum rent threshold. The maximum rate is $215.40/fortnight for singles and $203.00/fortnight for couples (as of September 2025). Calculated as 75 cents per $1 of rent above the threshold, up to the maximum.

To receive Age Pension, you must have lived in Australia as a resident for at least 10 years in total, including at least one continuous period of 5 years. You must also be an Australian resident at the time of claim. International social security agreements may allow time lived in certain countries to count toward the residency requirement.

The Australian government agency responsible for administering Centrelink payments, including Age Pension, DSP, Carer Payment, and all other social security payments. Previously known simply as "Centrelink." The official website is servicesaustralia.gov.au.

Australia's compulsory retirement savings system. Super balances in the accumulation phase are not assessed by Centrelink if you are below Age Pension age. Once you reach pension age (or convert to an income stream), your super is assessed under both tests. For couples, keeping funds in the younger partner's super accumulation account is a common planning strategy.

The rate at which your pension reduces as your income or assets increase above the free area or threshold. For the assets test, the taper rate is $3 per fortnight per $1,000 of assessable assets above the lower threshold. For the income test, the taper is 50 cents per dollar of income above the free area (for singles).

Your unique 9-digit number used by the ATO to identify you for tax purposes. You must provide your TFN (and your partner's, if applicable) when applying for Age Pension. Centrelink uses TFN data-matching with the ATO to verify income and assets information.

A concession that allows Age Pensioners to earn income from employment or self-employment without it affecting their pension — up to $300 per fortnight. Unused Work Bonus accumulates in a bank of up to . The Work Bonus does not apply to investment income or super pension payments.

The number of years you lived in Australia between the ages of 16 and Age Pension age. WLR is relevant when you leave Australia while receiving Age Pension — after 26 weeks overseas, your pension may be proportionally reduced based on your WLR if it is less than 35 years.