$706.20 Fortnightly Parenting Payment in 2025: Who Qualifies & When It Pays

In 2025, the Australian government continues its commitment to supporting families through the Parenting Payment scheme. A significant focus of this support is the $706.20 per fortnight benefit, designed to help eligible parents raise their children with greater financial security. This benefit can be a lifeline for single and partnered parents juggling the demands of parenting and economic pressure.

This comprehensive guide explores every detail of the $706.20 fortnightly Parenting Payment: from eligibility and payment dates to application processes and key updates in 2025. Whether you’re a first-time applicant or someone already receiving support, this article will serve as your go-to resource.

What is the Parenting Payment?

The Parenting Payment is a fortnightly income support payment offered by the Australian government, aimed at primary carers of young children. It provides financial assistance to eligible parents or guardians who are the main carers of a child under a specific age threshold.

There are two main categories of recipients:

• Parenting Payment Single: for single parents.
• Parenting Payment Partnered: for parents who have a partner.

For 2025, single parents can receive up to $967.50 per fortnight, while partnered parents may receive up to $706.20—the focus of this article.

Who is Eligible for the $706.20 Per Fortnight Benefit?

To be eligible for the $706.20 per fortnight Parenting Payment, individuals must meet a strict set of residency, income, assets, and childcare criteria.

1. Residency Requirements

You must be:

• An Australian citizen, or
• A permanent resident residing in Australia, or
• Hold a protected Special Category visa (such as for New Zealanders).

You must also reside in Australia during the time you are receiving the payment.

2. Child Age Requirement

You must be the primary carer of a child under 14 years of age.

Note: This was updated in September 2023. Previously, the cut-off age was 8 years.

3. Income and Assets Tests

Your eligibility is subject to a means test. This includes both:

• Income test: Income from employment, business, and other sources is assessed.
• Assets test: Includes property (excluding your home), vehicles, investments, and savings.

For partnered parents:

• Your combined income with your partner must not exceed certain thresholds.
• If your partner earns more than $2,425.00 per fortnight, your eligibility may be affected or stopped entirely.

4. Relationship Status

To receive $706.20, you must be in a partnered relationship (married or de facto) and meet the partnered parent income thresholds.

2025 Payment Amounts: Understanding the Breakdown

The maximum amount for a partnered parent on Parenting Payment in 2025 is $706.20 per fortnight. This amount may vary depending on your income, your partner’s income, and other circumstances such as additional dependents or special conditions.

Base Payment

Recipient Type	Maximum Rate (Per Fortnight)
Single Parent	$967.50
Partnered Parent	$706.20

Additional Benefits

In addition to the base payment, recipients may be eligible for:

• Pharmaceutical Allowance
• Rent Assistance
• Energy Supplement
• Family Tax Benefit Part A or B

These extras can increase your total fortnightly income if eligible.

How to Apply for the Parenting Payment

You can apply for Parenting Payment online or in person. Follow these steps:

Step 1: Set Up Your MyGov Account

• Go to my.gov.au and create a secure login.
• Link your account to Centrelink.

Step 2: Complete the Claim Online

Once linked, you can:

• Log into Centrelink
• Fill out the Parenting Payment claim form
• Upload all required documents (proof of identity, income, residency, relationship)

Step 3: Attend an Interview (If Required)

Some applicants may be asked to attend a short interview to verify their information.

Step 4: Wait for Assessment

It usually takes 1–4 weeks for claims to be assessed, depending on complexity.

Payment Dates for 2025

Parenting Payment is made every fortnight. The dates vary depending on when you first began receiving payments. However, most recipients are paid on a consistent day every two weeks, based on their Centrelink schedule.

General Payment Calendar for 2025 (Example)

Month	Payment Dates (Bi-weekly)
January	2nd, 16th, 30th
February	13th, 27th
March	12th, 26th
April	9th, 23rd
May	7th, 21st
June	4th, 18th
July	2nd, 16th, 30th
August	13th, 27th
September	10th, 24th
October	8th, 22nd
November	5th, 19th
December	3rd, 17th, 31st

Note: Dates may shift slightly due to weekends or public holidays. Always check your Centrelink payment summary in MyGov for exact dates.

What Happens If Your Circumstances Change?

You must report any changes in circumstances within 14 days, including:

• Change in income (yours or your partner’s)
• Change in relationship status
• If your child turns 14
• Change of address or residency

Failure to update information promptly can lead to overpayments or suspension of benefits.

Reporting Requirements

As a Parenting Payment recipient, you are required to report your income every fortnight. This includes:

• Your earnings from employment
• Your partner’s earnings (for partnered recipients)
• Other financial sources such as investments or private business

Centrelink uses this information to calculate your ongoing eligibility and the correct payment amount.

You can report through:

• MyGov online portal
• Centrelink mobile app
• Phone reporting service

Mutual Obligations and Participation Requirements

Depending on your circumstances, you may need to fulfill mutual obligations, particularly if:

• Your youngest child is over 6 years old, and
• You are deemed capable of part-time work or training

This might include:

• Job-seeking activities
• Attending appointments with employment services
• Participating in training or education

Failing to meet these obligations without a valid reason can result in payment suspension.

How Parenting Payment Differs from Family Tax Benefits

It’s common to confuse Parenting Payment with Family Tax Benefits (FTB). Here’s a quick breakdown:

Feature	Parenting Payment	Family Tax Benefit
Income support	Yes	No
Based on parenting role	Yes	Yes
Tax-exempt	Yes	Partly
Subject to assets test	Yes	No
Ongoing reporting	Yes	Annual
Amount	Up to $967.50 or $706.20/fortnight	Varies by child age & income

You can receive both Parenting Payment and Family Tax Benefit simultaneously if eligible.

Changes to the Parenting Payment in 2025

The key update in recent years is the extension of Parenting Payment eligibility to parents of children up to age 14, effective September 2023 and continuing into 2025.

This policy change has helped tens of thousands of families continue to receive support beyond the previous cutoff age of 8 years, providing greater stability for single-income households and low-income families.

Overpayments and Debts

If you receive more than you’re entitled to, Centrelink may issue a debt notice requiring repayment. Overpayments can occur due to:

• Incorrect income reporting
• Delays in notifying Centrelink about changes
• System errors

It’s crucial to regularly check your income declarations and payment summaries to ensure accuracy.

You can appeal overpayment decisions and request a payment arrangement if needed.

How to Maximize Your Parenting Payment Benefits

Here are some tips to get the most out of your Parenting Payment:

1. Report Income Accurately: Avoid overpayments and penalties.
2. Claim Rent Assistance: If you pay rent, you may be eligible for additional support.
3. Apply for Energy Supplements: Check eligibility through Centrelink.
4. Combine with FTB: Ensure you’re getting all child-related payments.
5. Update Circumstances Promptly: Maintain eligibility and prevent issues.

Parenting Payment and Returning to Work

As your child grows older, you may want to transition back into work or study. Parenting Payment encourages this by allowing income thresholds that don’t immediately disqualify you from payments. You can still receive partial payments while working part-time, up to certain limits.

Centrelink can help you access:

• Job support services
• Study allowances
• Training programs

Conclusion

The $706.20 per fortnight Parenting Payment in 2025 is a vital support for thousands of Australian families. It helps ease the financial burden of raising children, especially in households with only one working adult or reduced income.

Understanding the eligibility criteria, payment schedule, mutual obligations, and application process is essential to receiving and maintaining this benefit. Whether you’re applying for the first time or continuing your claim, staying informed about the latest updates ensures you get the support you deserve.

With recent changes like extending eligibility to children under 14, the Parenting Payment is more inclusive and impactful than ever. Be sure to leverage all the tools available—online reporting, MyGov access, and financial assistance add-ons—to maximize the benefit for your family’s well-being.

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