single parent payments in Australia: the complete 2026 guide
last updated: february 2026
catherine alderstein is an early childhood policy researcher and mother of two from Melbourne. she covers government payments, childcare policy, and family economics for mini mode.
single parents in Australia can stack more payments than most people realise. the headline one is Parenting Payment Single, but that's just the starting point. Family Tax Benefit, Child Care Subsidy, Rent Assistance, and a handful of smaller supplements can add up to thousands a month on top.
this guide walks through the full list, the income tests, the age cutoffs, and finishes with a realistic worked example — a single parent with two kids earning $35,000 part-time — so you can see how it all fits together.
Parenting Payment Single
Parenting Payment Single (PPS) is the main income support for single parents caring for a child under 14. the maximum rate for 2025-26 is $1,040.40 per fortnight including the pension supplement — noticeably higher than JobSeeker.
eligibility basics
- you're single (not a member of a couple)
- you have a dependent child under 14
- you're an Australian resident
- you meet the income and assets tests
the PPS income test
you can earn $220.60 per fortnight before PPS starts to reduce. above that threshold, the payment drops by 40 cents for every dollar earned. the cut-off (where PPS reaches zero) is around $2,800 per fortnight, depending on your number of children.
Working Credit and the income bank mean you can bank unused income-free amounts and use them in weeks you earn more — useful if your hours are irregular.
the age 14 cliff
when your youngest child turns 14, PPS ends. you transition to JobSeeker Payment, which pays $881.70 per fortnight for a single with kids — about $158 less per fortnight, plus you pick up mutual obligation requirements. it's worth planning for this drop in advance.
Family Tax Benefit Part A and Part B
single parents typically qualify for both parts of FTB. the rules are the same as for couples, but Part B is especially generous for singles — there's no income test on the recipient at all.
| payment | max per fortnight | income test |
|---|---|---|
| FTB A (child 0-12) | $222.04 per child | free to $65,189 |
| FTB A (child 13-15) | $288.82 per child | free to $65,189 |
| FTB B (youngest <5) | $188.86 | no test (single) |
| FTB B (youngest 5-18) | $131.74 | no test (single) |
both parts include end-of-year supplements — up to $916.15 per child for Part A and $430.70 per family for Part B, paid after you lodge your tax return.
Rent Assistance and other extras
these smaller payments don't get as much attention but they add up. most are automatic once you're on PPS or FTB — you don't need to apply separately.
- Rent Assistance: up to $211.20 per fortnight (1-2 kids) or $238.56 per fortnight (3+ kids) if you pay private rent above the threshold
- Child Care Subsidy: up to 90% of childcare fees, with 100 subsidised hours if income is under $85,279
- Pharmaceutical Allowance: $6.80 per fortnight, automatic with PPS
- Energy Supplement: $9.50 per fortnight for PPS recipients, helps with utilities
- Telephone Allowance: $31.20 per quarter if you have a home phone or internet
- Health Care Card: cheaper prescriptions and access to bulk billing, automatic with PPS
- Newborn Upfront Payment: $667 lump sum plus Newborn Supplement up to $2,003 over 13 weeks for a first child
worked example: single parent, 2 kids, $35K part-time
meet Priya — single mum in Sydney, two kids aged 4 and 7. she works 3 days a week as a bookkeeper, earning $35,000 a year ($1,346 per fortnight). she pays $520/fortnight in private rent. her 4-year-old is in long day care two days a week.
| payment | per fortnight | per year |
|---|---|---|
| PPS (after $450 income taper) | ~$590.40 | $15,350 |
| FTB Part A (2 kids under 13) | $444.08 | $11,546 |
| FTB Part B (youngest <5) | $188.86 | $4,910 |
| Rent Assistance | $211.20 | $5,491 |
| Energy + Pharmaceutical | $16.30 | $424 |
| wages (after tax) | ~$1,230 | $31,980 |
| total income | $2,680.84 | $69,701 |
| plus FTB end-of-year supplements | — | +$2,263 |
Priya's CCS covers around 88% of her childcare fees, so the two days a week in long day care cost her roughly $35 out of pocket. her total package — wages plus payments plus supplements — lands around $72,000 a year. the Centrelink side alone is nearly $38,000.
frequently asked questions
how much is Parenting Payment Single in 2026?
the maximum rate is $1,040.40 per fortnight including the pension supplement. it reduces once you earn more than $220.60 per fortnight.
do single parents get FTB Part B automatically?
yes — with no income test on the recipient as long as adjusted taxable income is below $117,658. the max is $188.86/fortnight if the youngest is under 5.
can single parents get Rent Assistance?
yes, on top of FTB or PPS. the maximum is $211.20/fortnight for 1-2 kids, $238.56/fortnight for 3+ kids, if you pay private rent above the threshold.
what happens when my youngest child turns 14?
PPS ends and you move to JobSeeker at $881.70/fortnight — about $158 less per fortnight — with mutual obligation requirements attached.
estimate your payments
work out your Parenting Payment Single entitlement based on your income and number of children, then stack FTB and CCS on top.