$850 Australia Bonus Payment Set for March 2025 : From March 20, 2025, Centrelink payments in Australia will increase across several major benefits, including the Age Pension, Jobseeker Payment, Parenting Payment, and Family Tax Benefits. These changes come as part of the government’s scheduled cost-of-living adjustment to help Australians manage rising expenses. Although there has been speculation about a one-time $850 bonus payment, no official confirmation has been released by Centrelink or Services Australia. Instead, eligible recipients will see their regular fortnightly payments rise, offering ongoing support rather than a lump-sum boost. Understanding who qualifies, how much the increases are, and when they take effect is key to planning your finances. This guide breaks down all the details.
Australian Centrelink payments for the Age Pension, Jobseeker Payment, Parenting Payment, and Family Tax Benefits will increase on March 20, 2025. The government’s planned cost-of-living adjustment helps Australians handle growing costs. Centrelink and Services Australia have not confirmed a one-time $850 incentive payment. Instead of a flat sum, qualifying applicants will receive higher fortnightly installments. Planning your money requires knowing who qualifies, how much the raises are, and when they take effect. This guide describes everything.
$850 Australia Bonus Payment Set for March 2025
The March 2025 Centrelink payment increases are a crucial part of the government’s effort to support Australians amid ongoing financial pressures. Although an $850 one-off bonus has not been officially announced, many recipients will benefit from automatic increases in their fortnightly entitlements. These include key payments like the Age Pension, Jobseeker Payment, Parenting Payment, and Family Tax Benefits. The adjustments aim to reflect inflation and rising living costs, ensuring vulnerable individuals and families receive the additional support they need to manage everyday expenses.
The government’s March 2025 Centrelink payment hikes are vital to supporting Australians under financial hardship. While a $850 one-time bonus has not been declared, many recipients will get automatic increases in their fortnightly payouts. Key payments include Age Pension, Jobseeker Payment, Parenting Payment, and Family Tax Benefits. The modifications reflect inflation and rising living costs to help needy individuals and families manage daily expenses.
Why Are Centrelink Payments Increasing?
Centrelink payments are increasing in March 2025 as part of the government’s biannual indexation process, which takes place every March and September. This adjustment is designed to ensure that welfare payments keep pace with rising inflation and wage growth, helping recipients maintain their standard of living. With the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) reporting persistent inflation throughout 2024 particularly in essential areas like groceries, housing, energy, and transport—the government has responded by boosting Centrelink payments. These increases aim to ease financial pressure and protect the purchasing power of pensioners, job seekers, families, and other vulnerable groups.
Every March and September, Centrelink modifies payments for inflation. Indexation adjusts payments to cost-of-living adjustments. In March 2025, modifications match inflation and pay growth to help Australians afford basics.
The ABS reported substantial inflation in 2024, affecting food, rent, energy, and transportation prices. The government has increased welfare payments to retain purchasing power for low-income Australians.
How Centrelink Payment Increases in March 2025
Starting March 20, 2025, Centrelink payments will increase across several major welfare categories to help Australians manage rising living costs. Here’s a breakdown of what’s changing:
Age Pension
Designed for seniors meeting age and residency requirements, the Age Pension will increase:
- Single Pensioners: +$4.60 → New rate: $1,149.00 per fortnight
- Couples (each): +$3.50 → New rate: $866.10 per person
Eligibility: Must be 67+ years old, a resident for at least 10 years (5 consecutive), and pass income and asset tests.
Jobseeker Payment
Supports unemployed Australians seeking work. Increases include:
- Single, No Children: +$3.10 → New rate: $789.90 per fortnight
- Couples (each): +$2.80 → New rate: $723.00 per person
Eligibility: Aged 22 to pension age, actively job seeking, and meet income and asset rules.
Parenting Payment
Assists low-income parents with young children:
- Single Parents: +$4.00 → New rate: $1,030.30 per fortnight
- Partnered Parents: Increases vary based on income.
Eligibility: Single parents with a child under 8, or partnered parents with a child under 6, subject to income and asset limits.
Family Tax Benefit (FTB)
Helps families cover child-raising costs:
- FTB Part A: Up to $7.90 more per fortnight, depending on the number and age of children.
- FTB Part B: Up to $5.40 more per fortnight, for single-income families or single parents.
| Payment Type | Recipient Type | Increase (per fortnight) | New Rate (per fortnight) | Eligibility Summary |
| Age Pension | Single | +$4.60 | $1,149.00 | Aged 67+, Australian resident for 10+ years, subject to income and asset tests |
| Couple (each) | +$3.50 | $866.10 | Same as above | |
| JobSeeker Payment | Single (no children) | +$3.10 | $789.90 | Aged 22 to pension age, unemployed, job-seeking, residency and income/asset tests apply |
| Couple (each) | +$2.80 | $723.00 | Same as above | |
| Parenting Payment | Single Parent | +$4.00 | $1,030.30 | At least one child under 8, income and asset limits apply |
| Partnered Parent | Varies | Based on income | At least one child under 6, income and asset limits apply | |
| Family Tax Benefit | Part A | Up to +$7.90 | Varies by child’s age/number | Families with dependent children |
| Part B | Up to +$5.40 | Varies | Single parents or single-income families |
How to Check Your March 2025 Centrelink Payment Increase
You can check your updated amount in a number of straightforward methods in order to determine how much you will get as a result of the Centrelink payment increases that will take effect in March 2025. First, make sure that your Centrelink account is linked to your MyGov account by logging into your MyGov account at my.gov.au. You are able to examine your most recent payment schedule as well as the updated rates once you have logged in. It is also possible to utilize the Express Plus Centrelink mobile app on your phone in order to rapidly view the dates of your impending payments and the amounts that have been changed. You can phone Centrelink directly at the following numbers: 132 300 for Age Pension, 132 850 for JobSeeker and Parenting Payments, and 136 150 for Family Tax Benefits. If you would rather speak with someone, we are available to assist you.
Log into Your MyGov Account
- Visit my.gov.au
- Link your Centrelink account if not already linked
- Check your updated payment schedule and rates
Use the Centrelink Mobile App
- Download or open the Express Plus Centrelink app
- Navigate to payment summary to view new amounts and payment dates
Call Centrelink Directly
- Age Pension inquiries: 132 300
- Jobseeker/Parenting Payment: 132 850
- Family Tax Benefit: 136 150
FAQ’s
Is there really an $850 Centrelink bonus in March 2025?
No, there has been no official confirmation from the Australian government or Centrelink about a one-time $850 bonus. The payment increases in March 2025 refer to the regular indexation of ongoing Centrelink benefits.
Why are Centrelink payments increasing in March 2025?
Payments are increasing due to the government’s biannual indexation process, which adjusts welfare rates in March and September each year to keep up with inflation and wage growth. This ensures that recipients can afford basic living expenses.
Are all Centrelink recipients getting an $850 bonus in March 2025?
No, there is no official confirmation of a one-time $850 bonus. The March 2025 increase refers to the scheduled biannual indexation, which boosts regular fortnightly payments based on inflation.
Which payments are increasing in March 2025?
The Age Pension, Jobseeker Payment, Parenting Payment, and Family Tax Benefits (Parts A & B) will all receive indexed increases to keep up with inflation and cost-of-living pressures.
