Summary of pension rates, limits and allowances

Last updated

On this page

You can find the current rates for pensions and allowances.

The rates on this page are effective from 20-Mar-25.

You will find the current rates and limits for:

  • Service Pension
  • Social Security Age Pension
  • Veteran Payment
  • Income Support Supplement (ISS)
  • Disability Compensation Payment
  • War Widow(er)’s Pension
  • 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.

The rates quoted are fortnightly amounts unless otherwise indicated. These rates are current from 20-Mar-25 to 30-Jun-25. 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.

Back to top

Service Pension and Social Security Age Pension

Current maximum rates

Single rate Current maximum rate
Pension $1,051.30
Pension Supplement $97.70
Total $1,149.00
Couples rate Current maximum rate
Pension (each) $792.50
Pension Supplement (each) $73.60
Total (each) $866.10

These rates include Energy Supplement. Refer to Energy Supplement.

Transition maximum rates

Transition rate Current maximum rate
Singles rate $944.80
Couples rate (each) $762.30

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 Pension / Social Security Age Pension that you receive. As such, your DVA advice letters will not separately list a Pension Supplement amount.

Back to top

Veteran Payment

Current maximum rates

Single rate Current maximum rate
Basic Rate of Veteran Payment $1,163.70
Pension Supplement $83.60
Total $1,247.30
Couples rate Current maximum rate
Pension (each) $909.80
Pension Supplement (each) $63.00
Total (each) $972.80

Veteran Payment does not include Energy Supplement.

Back to top

Income Support Supplement

Income Support Supplement Rate
Ceiling rate $347.60
Transition Ceiling rate $347.60
Back to top

Veterans Supplement

Veterans Supplement Rate
Low Rate $7.00
High Rate $14.00
Back to top

Disability Compensation Payment rates

Payment type Rate
Special Rate (TPI, blinded or TTI) $1,812.50
Intermediate Rate $1,201.60
Extreme Disablement Adjustment (EDA) $978.10

These rates include Energy Supplement. Refer to Energy Supplement.

General Rate

Percentage Amount Percentage Amount
100% $629.20 50% $318.45
95% $598.13 45% $287.38
90% $567.05 40% $256.30
85% $535.98 35% $225.23
80% $504.90 30% $194.15
75% $473.83 25% $163.08
70% $442.75 20% $132.00
65% $411.68 15% $100.93
60% $380.60 10% $69.85
55% $349.53    

These rates include Energy Supplement.

Back to top

Additional Disability Compensation Payment for Specific Disabilities

Item Amount
Items 1—6 $841.20
Item 7 $279.30
Item 8 $188.80
Items 9 & 10 $161.60
Item 11 & 13 $80.90
Item 12 & 14 $41.90
Item 15 $62.50
Back to top

War Widow(er)’s Pension

Payment type Rate
Total War Widow(er)'s Pension $1,170.00

These rates include Energy Supplement.

Back to top

Orphan’s Pension

Payment type Rate
Single orphan $128.00
Double orphan $255.70
Back to top

Rent Assistance

Maximum amount payable

Payment type Maximum amount payable
Singles rate, no children $212.00
Couples rate, no children (combined) $199.80

Rent thresholds

Payment type Rent threshold
Singles rate, no children $149.60
Couples rate, no children (combined) $242.40

For Veteran Payment, Service Pension 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.

Back to top

Remote Area Allowance

Payment type Rate
Singles rate $18.20
Couples rate (each) $15.60
Each child $7.30
Back to top

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.

Back to top

Recreation Transport Allowance

Recreation Transport Allowance Rate
High rate $111.90
Low rate $55.50
Back to top

Vehicle Assistance Scheme

Vehicle Assistance Scheme Rate (per year)
Maintenance and running costs $2,909.40
Back to top

Attendant Allowance

Attendant Allowance Rate
High rate $418.60
Low rate $209.10
Back to top

Clothing Allowance

Clothing Allowance Rate
High rate $17.50
Mid rate $11.80
Low rate $8.00
Back to top

Veterans’ Children Education Scheme (VCES)

Student type Rate (per year)
Primary students $338.80

Secondary and tertiary students (fortnightly rate)

Age At home Living away from home Homeless
Under 16 $70.00 $579.50 $670.30
16-17 $414.20 $670.30 $670.30
18 & over $477.10 $670.30 $670.30

Secondary and tertiary double orphan (fortnightly rate)

Age Amount
Under 16 $418.90
16 - 20 $670.30
21 & over $791.90

These rates include Energy Supplement.

Back to top

Decoration Allowance

Payment type Rate
Decoration Allowance $2.10
Back to top

Victoria Cross Allowance

Payment type Rate (per annum)
Victoria Cross Allowance $5,578.00

Victoria Cross Allowance is paid to those veterans who have been awarded this decoration.

Back to top

Income limit before Service Pension and Social Security Age Pension reduces

Current limits

Payment type Current limit
Singles $212.00
Couples (combined) $372.00
Illness separated couples (combined) $372.00

These figures may be higher if your assessable income is reduced under the Work Bonus.

Transition Limits

For each child limits increase by $24.60

Back to top

Work Bonus

Payment type Rate
Work Bonus Income Concession $300.00

 $11,800.00 is the maximum balance for the Work Bonus Bank.

Back to top

Assets limit before Service Pension and Social Security Age Pension reduces

Homeowners

Payment type Limit
Singles $314,000
Couples (combined) $470,000
Illness separated couples (combined) $470,000

Non-homeowners

Payment type Limit
Singles $566,000
Couples (combined) $722,000
Illness separated couples (combined) $722,000
Back to top

Service Pension and Social Security Age Pension income cut-off limit

Current limits

Payment type Limit
Singles $2,510.00
Couples (combined) $3,836.40
Illness separated couples (combined) $4,968.00

These figures may be higher if your assessable income is reduced under the Work Bonus.

Transition Limits

Payment type Limit
Singles $2,574.00
Couples (combined) $4,183.50
Illness separated couples (combined) $5,096.00
Back to top

Service Pension & Social Security Age Pension assets cut-off limit

Current Limits - Homeowner

Payment Type Limit
Singles $697,000
Couples (combined) $1,047,500
Illness separated couples (combined) $1,236,000

Current Limits - Non-homeowner

Payment type Limit
Singles $949,000
Couples (combined) $1,299,500
Illness separated couples (combined) $1,488,000

Transition Limits

Homeowner

Payment type Limit
Singles $629,000
Couples (combined) $978,500
Illness separated couples (combined) $1,100,000

Non-homeowner

Payment type Limit
Singles $881,000
Couples (combined) $1,230,500
Illness separated couples (combined) $1,352,000
Back to top

Income and assets cut-off limit for the Veteran Gold Card for Service pensioners

Income

Payment type Limit
Singles $527.20 (per fortnight)
Couples (combined) $913.20 (per fortnight)

Assets - Homeowners

Payment type Limit
Singles $366,750
Couples (combined) $560,500

Assets - Non-homeowners

Payment type Limit
Singles $618,750
Couples (combined) $812,500

Transition Limits

Income

Payment type Limit
Singles $606.00
Couples (combined) $1,048.50
For each child, increase by $24.60

Assets - Homeowners

Payment type Limit
Singles $366,750
Couples (combined) $560,500

Assets - Non-homeowners

Payment type Limit
Singles $618,750
Couples (combined) $812,500
Back to top

Income limit before ISS reduces

Current Limits

Payment type Limit
Singles $1,786.60
Couples (combined) $2,403.60
Illness separated couples (combined) $3,521.20

These amounts include the War Widow(er)’s Pension.

These figures may be higher if your assessable income is reduced under the Work Bonus.

War Widow(er)’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.

These amounts will vary if you were in receipt of a Social Security and War Widow(er)’s Pension prior to 1 November 1986 and your maximum rate of Income Support Supplement is more than $347.60 per fortnight.

Transition Limits

Payment type Limit
Singles $1,669.75
Couples (combined) $2,392.50
Illness separated couples (combined) $3,287.50
For each child, increase by $24.60

These amounts include the War Widow(er)’s Pension.

War Widow(er)’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.

These amounts will vary if you were in receipt of a Social Security and War Widow(er)’s Pension prior to 1 November 1986 and your maximum rate of Income Support Supplement is more than $347.60 per fortnight.

Back to top

Assets limit before ISS reduces

Homeowners

Payment type Limit
Singles $576,500
Couples (combined) $809,000
Illness separated couples (combined) $995,000

Non-homeowners

Payment type Limit
Singles $828,500
Couples (combined) $1,061,000
Illness separated couples (combined) $1,247,000

Transition Limits

Homeowner

Payment type Limit
Singles $508,500
Couples (combined) $739,500
Illness separated couples (combined) $859,000

Non-homeowner

Payment type Limit
Singles $760,500
Couples (combined) $991,500
Illness separated couples (combined) $1,111,000
Back to top

Income cut-off limit for ISS pensioners

Current Rates

Payment type Limit
Singles $2,481.80
Couples (combined) $3,794.00
Illness separated couples (combined) $4,911.60

These amounts include the War Widow(er)’s Pension.

These figures may be higher if your assessable income is reduced under the Work Bonus.

These amounts will vary if you were in receipt of a Social Security and War Widow(er)’s Pension prior to 1 November 1986 and your maximum rate of Income Support Supplement is more than $347.60 per fortnight.

Transition Rates

Payment type Limit
Singles $2,538.75
Couples (combined) $4,130.50
Illness separated couples (combined) $5,025.50

These amounts include the War Widow(er)’s Pension.

These amounts will vary if you were in receipt of a Social Security and War Widow(er)’s Pension prior to 1 November 1986 and your maximum rate of Income Support Supplement is more than $347.60 per fortnight.

Back to top

Assets cut-off limit for ISS pensioners

Current Limits

Homeowner

Payment type Limit
Singles $692,500
Couples (combined) $1,040,500
Illness separated couples (combined) $1,227,000

Non-homeowner

Payment type Limit
Singles $944,500
Couples (combined) $1,292,500
Illness separated couples (combined) $1,479,000

Transition Limits

Homeowner

Payment type Limit
Singles $624,250
Couples (combined) $971,500
Illness separated couples (combined) $1,090,500

Non-homeowner

Payment type Limit
Singles $876,250
Couples (combined) $1,223,500
Illness separated couples (combined) $1,342,500
Back to top

Income limit before Veteran Payment reduces

Current limits

Payment type Limit
Singles $212.00
Couples (combined) $372.00
Illness separated couples (combined) $372.00
Back to top

Assets limit before Veteran Payment reduces

Homeowners

Payment type Limit
Singles $314,000
Couples (combined) $470,000
Illness separated couples (combined) $470,000

Non-homeowners

Payment type Limit
Singles $566,000
Couples (combined) $722,000
Illness separated couples (combined) $722,000
Back to top

Veteran Payment income cut-off limit

Current limits

Payment type Limit
Singles $2,706.60
Couples (combined) $4,263.20
Illness separated couples (combined) $5,361.20
Back to top

Veteran Payment assets cut-off limit

Homeowners

Payment type Limit
Singles $730,000
Couples (combined) $1,119,000
Illness separated couples (combined) $1,302,000

Non-homeowners

Payment type Limit
Singles $982,000
Couples (combined) $1,371,000
Illness separated couples (combined) $1,554,000
Back to top

Income limits for student children / earnings limits for employed children

Category Limit
Employed Child (under 16 years) $262.20 (per week)
Student Child (16-22 years) $14,370.55 (per year)
Back to top

Commonwealth Seniors Health Card income limit

Payment type Limite
Singles $99,025 (per year)
Couples (combined) $158,440 (per year)
Illness separated couples (combined) $198,050 (per year)
Dependent child (each) increases limit $639.60
Back to top

Deeming

Category Singles Couples
Low 0.25% interest up to the threshold of $62,600 0.25% interest up to the threshold of $103,800
High 2.25% interest for the remaining balance 2.25% interest for the remaining balance
Back to top

Funeral benefits

Payment type Maximum rate
Funeral benefits $2,000

Assistance is payable towards funeral expenses of certain veterans including TPI veterans, those whose death is accepted as being war or service caused, and those who died in needy circumstances.

Back to top
Was this page useful?
Please tell us why you selected 'Yes'?
Please tell us why you selected 'No'?