Rent is one of the highest costs Australians face each fortnight. For those already relying on income support, it can stretch a tight budget to breaking point.
Commonwealth Rent Assistance (CRA) is a government payment designed to help bridge this gap. Paid every two weeks by Services Australia on top of your existing Centrelink entitlements, it gives eligible renters a meaningful contribution toward housing costs without affecting their tax position.
If you’re not sure whether you qualify, how much you could receive, or how the process works, this guide covers everything you need to know. Plus, try our free CRA calculator for a clear estimate.
Key takeaways
- CRA is a non-taxable fortnightly payment from Services Australia that supplements your existing Centrelink entitlements
- It applies to private renters, community housing residents, and people paying site or mooring fees
- You must already receive an eligible Centrelink payment to qualify
- Payments are calculated at 75 cents for every dollar of rent above the minimum threshold, up to a maximum rate
- No separate application is needed. Services Australia assesses eligibility automatically
- You need to notify Centrelink within 14 days of any change to your rent, address, income, or household circumstances
What is Commonwealth Rent Assistance?
Commonwealth Rent Assistance (CRA) is a fortnightly payment from Services Australia that helps eligible tenants manage housing costs alongside their existing income support.
It applies to a wide range of living situations, from private rentals and community housing to retirement villages, caravans, and even boats, as long as it’s your primary residence.
Importantly, CRA isn’t a standalone benefit. It supplements what you already receive. To get this supplementary support, you’ll need to qualify for one of the following payments:
- Age pension
- Disability support pension
- JobSeeker Payment
- More than the base rate of Family Tax Benefit Part A
Let’s take a closer look at the CRA’s criteria.
Am I eligible for Commonwealth Rent Assistance?
When determining Rent Assistance eligibility, Services Australia considers two factors: what you pay for housing, and which Centrelink payment you already receive.
Firstly, you must be paying one of the following accommodation fees:
- Rent in the private market
- Board and lodging
- Lodging only
- Fees in a retirement village
- Site or mooring fees, such as for a caravan or a boat
At the same time, you’ll need to be receiving one of these Centrelink payments, too:
- Age Pension, Carer Payment, or Disability Support Pension
- JobSeeker Payment or Farm Household Allowance
- Parenting Payment (partnered or single)
- ABSTUDY Living Allowance, Austudy, or Youth Allowance
- Family Tax Benefit Part A at more than the base rate
- Special Benefit
You won’t qualify for Rent Assistance unless you meet both of these criteria. You also won’t be eligible if you:
- Live in public housing
- Own or are purchasing the home you live in (relocatable homes are an exception)
- Live in an aged care facility that receives Australian Government funding
- Are temporarily away from a home you own, and that absence is under 12 months
- Or your partner already receives Rent Assistance through a pension or Family Tax Benefit
Commonwealth Rent Assistance rates
Rates are set twice a year in March and September based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI). Ultimately, the amount you receive depends on your family situation and how much rent you actually pay.
You’ll also need to pay above a minimum rent threshold before any CRA kicks in, and the payment caps out once your rent reaches the upper threshold.
To help you estimate your payment, we’ve included the rates as of March 2026¹ here:
If you’re receiving income support payments or ABSTUDY
| Status | Fortnightly rent must exceed | Maximum fortnightly payment | Minimum fortnightly rent for the maximum payment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single and living alone | $154.80 | $219.40 | $447.34 |
| Single in shared accommodation | $154.80 | $146.27 | $349.83 |
| A couple living together | $250.80 | $206.80 | $526.54 |
| One of a couple living apart due to illness, prison, or respite care | $154.80 | $219.40 | $447.34 |
| One of a couple who have separated temporarily | $154.80 | $206.80 | $430.54 |
If you’re receiving the Family Tax Benefit Part A
For families, CRA usually comes paired with Family Tax Benefit Part A. About three in ten recipient households have dependent children, which represents close to 3 million children across the country.²
| Status | Number of children | Fortnightly rent must exceed | Maximum fortnightly payment | Minimum fortnightly rent for the maximum payment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single | 1 or 2 | $203.28 | $257.88 | $547.12 |
| Single | 3 or more | $203.28 | $291.48 | $591.92 |
| A couple | 1 or 2 | $300.58 | $257.88 | $644.42 |
| A couple | 3 or more | $300.58 | $291.48 | $689.22 |
| One of a couple living apart due to illness, prison, respite care or temporary separation | 1 or 2 | $203.28 | $257.88 | $547.12 |
| One of a couple living apart due to illness, prison, respite care or temporary separation | 3 or more | $203.28 | $291.48 | $591.92 |
How to claim Rent Assistance
There’s no separate application for CRA. When you claim an eligible Centrelink payment, Services Australia automatically assesses whether you qualify for Rent Assistance at the same time.
That said, if you’re already receiving a qualifying payment and then move into a rental property, you’ll need to let Services Australia know. From there, they can assess whether you should receive Rent Assistance.
There are three ways you can update your accommodation details:
1. Online through myGov, linked to your Centrelink account
2.By post to your nearest Services Australia processing centre
3. In person at a Centrelink service centre
As part of this update, you’ll need to provide proof that you pay rent. Centrelink will ask for either a signed tenancy agreement or a rent certificate completed by your landlord or property manager. They’ll contact you if and when this is required, so there’s no need to submit anything in advance.
FAQs
Top-
CRA isn’t a fixed, one-size-fits-all payment. What you receive depends on how much rent you pay, your personal living situation, and the Consumer Price Index each March and September.
Once your fortnightly rent exceeds the minimum threshold, you receive 75 cents for every dollar paid above that amount.
This payment rises with your rent until it hits the maximum rate for your household type. Whether you’re single, part of a couple, sharing accommodation, or have dependent children affects what you’re entitled to.
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The highest amount of Rent Assistance you’re allowed to receive depends on your household type, such as whether you have dependent children and who you live with.
At the most recent indexation in March 2026, the maximum fortnightly rates are:
Without dependent children:
- Single and living alone: $219.40
- Single in shared accommodation: $146.27
- Couple living together: $206.80
- One of a couple living apart (illness, prison, or respite care): $219.40
- One of a couple temporarily separated: $206.80
With dependent children (Family Tax Benefit Part A):
- Single with 1 or 2 children: $257.88
- Single with 3 or more children: $291.48
- Couple with 1 or 2 children: $257.88
- Couple with 3 or more children: $291.48
- One of a couple living apart (illness, prison, respite care, or temporary separation) with 1 or 2 children: $257.88
- One of a couple living apart (illness, prison, respite care, or temporary separation) with 3 or more children: $291.48
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No. CRA is non-taxable. The total amount goes toward your housing costs without affecting your tax bill or reducing your take-home income.
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Yes. Rates are updated automatically during the twice-yearly indexation periods. Services Australia may also adjust your Rent Assistance amount under any of the following circumstances:
- Your rent goes up or down
- You move to a new address
- Your income changes
- Your family situation changes, such as separating from a partner or a change in the number of children in your care
It’s also important to know that you’re able to request a review of your payment amount at any time if something doesn’t look right.
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To keep receiving the right amount of Rent Assistance, you have 14 days to tell Services Australia if any of the following factors change:
- Your address or contact details
- Your accommodation type
- How much rent you pay
- Who you live with
- Any plans to travel outside Australia
You can report these changes up to 14 days before they happen.
The easiest way to update your details is through your Centrelink online account via myGov. The Express Plus Centrelink mobile app and Services Australia’s phone line are both available if myGov isn’t an option.
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The financial buffer CRA provides can have lasting effects on children’s lives, well beyond helping families cover rent.
When families receive enough support to afford higher rents, they can live in better neighbourhoods with more space and less overcrowding. This safe, stable, and comfortable housing during childhood helps to shape future outcomes.
For example, research shows that the more CRA a household receives, the greater the likelihood of children going on to study at university. It also reduces the risk of those children experiencing homelessness in adulthood.²
When support reaches around $70 per week, the data shows a measurable shift in children’s outcomes.²
This evidence makes a clear case that adequate rental assistance does more than keep families housed. It gives children a more stable foundation to build from.
Discover affordable housing with Home In Place
Commonwealth Rent Assistance won’t cover the full cost of accommodation, but for eligible households, it can make a genuine difference to your financial stability and quality of life.
If you’re unsure where you stand, Home in Place is here to support you. We help individuals and families throughout NSW, Victoria, Western Australia, and Queensland find somewhere safe, stable, and affordable to call home.
As well as providing affordable housing, community housing or temporary accommodation, we can help you understand which government payments you’re entitled to and connect you with the right support services.
To find out more, please get in touch today.
References
- Services Australia. (2025). How much Rent Assistance you can get. Australian Government. https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/how-much-rent-assistance-you-can-get?context=22206
- Leishman, C., Hewton, J., Ong ViforJ, R., Washington, L., Zhang, R., & Liang, W. (2025). The impact of Commonwealth Rent Assistance on low-income privately renting parents and children (AHURI Final Report No. 446). Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute Limited. https://doi.org/10.18408/ahuri3234501
