Commonwealth Rent Assistance (CRA) is a non-taxable fortnightly supplement paid to eligible Centrelink recipients who rent in the private market or community housing. It is not a stand-alone payment — you must be receiving another qualifying payment to be eligible.
Current Rent Assistance Rates (2026)
Fortnightly CRA rates depend on your family situation and how much rent you pay:
| Family Situation | Minimum Rent Threshold (fortnightly) | Maximum Rate (fortnightly) | Maximum Rent for Max Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single, no children | $154.80 | $219.40 | $447.34 |
| Single, sharing (lodger/boarder) | $154.80 | $146.27 | $349.83 |
| Couple, no children (combined) | $250.80 | $206.80 | $526.54 |
If your fortnightly rent is below the minimum threshold, you receive no CRA. Above that threshold, you get 75 cents for every dollar of rent up to the maximum rate.
Qualifying Payments
You must be receiving one of the following to be eligible for Rent Assistance:
- Age Pension
- Disability Support Pension
- JobSeeker Payment
- Youth Allowance
- Parenting Payment (single or partnered)
- Family Tax Benefit (Part A) — if you are not in a Rent Assisted property
- ABSTUDY
- Special Benefit
- Carer Payment
- Department of Veterans' Affairs pensions
Eligibility Criteria
- You must pay rent or board and lodging for your principal place of residence
- You must live in private rental, community housing, or a retirement village
- You must NOT live in government housing (public housing or rent-assisted properties)
- You must be receiving an eligible Centrelink or DVA payment
What Counts as Rent?
The following are considered rent for CRA purposes:
- Private rental agreements (formal lease or tenancy agreement)
- Board and lodging (must be a commercial arrangement, not with family members)
- Community housing rent
- Retirement village accommodation fees (partially)
- Residential care accommodation costs
The following do NOT count as rent:
- Mortgage repayments
- Rent paid to a state housing authority
- Rent paid within a Rent Assisted property
- Rent paid to a de facto partner or close relative living in the same house
How Rent Assistance Is Paid
CRA is paid as part of your regular Centrelink payment — it is not a separate payment. You will receive it automatically as part of your fortnightly payment if you meet the eligibility criteria.
How to Claim Rent Assistance
CRA is automatically assessed when you:
- Claim one of the eligible qualifying payments (e.g. JobSeeker, Parenting Payment, etc.)
- Or update your rent details in your Centrelink online account
- Or submit a Rent Certificate (form SU523HD) signed by your landlord or real estate agent
It's important to keep your rent details up to date. If your rent increases, let Centrelink know so your CRA amount can be recalculated.
Rent Certificate
Centrelink may ask you to complete a Rent Certificate every 12 months to verify you're still renting and confirm your current rent amount. You can download the form from Services Australia or request one at a service centre.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Rent Assistance taxable?
No. Commonwealth Rent Assistance is non-taxable and does not need to be declared in your tax return.
Can I get Rent Assistance if I live with family?
Only if you pay commercial rates of board and have a formal arrangement. Living with parents or close relatives and paying board is generally not eligible.
Can I get both Rent Assistance and the Rent Deduction Scheme?
No — they are mutually exclusive. The Rent Deduction Scheme applies to public housing tenants, while Rent Assistance applies to private renters.
This guide is updated for 2026. Check Services Australia website for latest rates.
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How CRA Is Calculated — Worked Example
Commonwealth Rent Assistance is a non-taxable supplement paid on top of a qualifying payment (JobSeeker, Parenting Payment, Age Pension, FTB Part A, and others) for people renting in the private market or community housing. It follows a simple formula: you receive 75 cents for every dollar of rent above a minimum threshold, up to a maximum amount for your situation.
From 20 March 2026, a single person with no children needs to pay rent above $154.80 per fortnight to qualify, and receives 75 cents per dollar up to the maximum of $219.40 per fortnight (reached when rent hits about $447.34). For a couple the combined threshold is $250.80 and the maximum combined payment is $206.80. Worked example: a single person paying $350 per fortnight in rent receives 0.75 × ($350 − $154.80) = $146.40 per fortnight. Rent Assistance is paid directly with your main payment, and it does not count as income for tax purposes or for the income test.
Action Plan: Claiming CRA and Keeping It Right
- Tell Centrelink you rent and provide your rent details when you claim your main payment — CRA is not automatic for every payment type.
- Complete a Rent Certificate (SU523) signed by your landlord or agent if Centrelink asks for proof of rent.
- Update your rent whenever it changes — a $20 per fortnight rent increase can lift your CRA by up to $15.
- If you move from a share house to living alone, update your circumstances — sharer rates are lower than the single rate.
- Note that CRA is not payable if you live in rent-free accommodation, government housing, or with parents paying no rent.