Quick Facts - Disability Support Pension December 2025:

Single Rate: Up to $1,149.00 per fortnight (after September 2025 indexation)
Couple Rate: Up to $866.80 per fortnight each
Asset Limits: $314,000 (homeowner) / $566,500 (non-homeowner)
Income Free Area: $212 per fortnight + $300 Work Bonus
Payment Cut-off: $2,510 per fortnight (single)
⚠️ Next Update: March 20, 2026 indexation

Last Updated: December 15, 2025 - Reflecting September 20, 2025 indexation

Calculate Your DSP Payment Instantly Use our free DSP Calculator to estimate your Disability Support Pension based on your income, assets, and relationship status. Updated with September 2025 rates.

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The Disability Support Pension (DSP) provides crucial financial support for Australians who cannot work due to permanent disability or medical conditions. Understanding exactly how much you can receive, eligibility requirements, and how long payments last is essential for financial planning and security.

This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about DSP payment rates in 2025, including exact fortnightly amounts, income and asset test limits, and step-by-step application guidance.

How Much is the Disability Pension Per Fortnight in 2025?

Current DSP Payment Rates (After September 20, 2025 Indexation)

Single Recipients (21 years and over):

Maximum Payment: Up to $1,149.00 per fortnight (including all supplements)
Base Pension: ~$1,020 per fortnight
Pension Supplement: ~$82.50 per fortnight
Energy Supplement: ~$19.50 per fortnight

Partnered Recipients (21 years and over):

Maximum Payment: Up to $866.80 per fortnight each
Combined Couple Maximum: Up to $1,733.60 per fortnight

Annual Payment Amounts:

Single: Up to $29,874 per year
Couple: Up to $22,537 per year each

Note: DSP rates are indexed on March 20 and September 20 each year based on CPI, wages, and cost of living measures.

Additional Payments and Supplements

Rent Assistance (if eligible):

Single: Up to $159.20 per fortnight
Couple: Up to $150.00 per fortnight combined

Pharmaceutical Allowance:

Single: $7.30 per fortnight
Couple: $7.30 per fortnight each

Remote Area Allowance (if applicable):

Varies by location and family size
Additional support for remote living costs

DSP Rates: Understanding Payment Components

Base Pension Amount

The base pension forms the core of your DSP payment and is the amount subject to income and asset testing. This rate is indexed twice yearly (March and September) based on:

Consumer Price Index (CPI)
Male Total Average Weekly Earnings (MTAWE)
Pensioner and Beneficiary Living Cost Index (PBLCI)

Pension Supplement

The pension supplement helps with everyday living costs and includes:

Basic amount for all pensioners
Additional amounts for specific circumstances
Quarterly bonus payments for eligible recipients

Energy Supplement

The energy supplement assists with household energy costs and is paid as:

Regular fortnightly amount
One-off payments during extreme weather events
Additional support for high energy users

How Much Can You Earn on Disability Pension?

Income Test Thresholds

Income Free Area (per fortnight) - September 2025:

Single: $212 per fortnight
Couple (combined): $372 per fortnight

Reduction Rates:

50 cents reduction for every dollar earned over income free area
Pension reduces gradually until cut-off point
Work bonus may apply for employment income

Income Cut-Off Points (September 2025)

Single Recipients:

Payment stops when fortnightly income exceeds $2,510.00
Includes all income sources (work, investments, gifts)

Coupled Recipients:

Payment stops when combined income exceeds approximately $3,840
Includes both partners’ income

Work Bonus for Employment Income

Additional Income Free Area:

Up to $300 per fortnight for work income
Applies to employment income only (not investments)
Unused amounts bank up to $11,800 (Work Bonus balance)
Encourages workforce participation without immediate penalty

DSP Asset Test: How Much Money Can You Have in the Bank?

Asset Test Limits (2025)

Single Recipients:

Homeowner: $314,000
Non-homeowner: $566,500

Coupled Recipients (combined assets):

Homeowner: $470,000
Non-homeowner: $722,500

What Counts as Assets?

Included Assets:

Bank accounts and investments
Shares and managed funds
Investment properties
Vehicles over $8,300
Boats, caravans, artwork
Business assets

Exempt Assets:

Principal place of residence
Up to $8,300 vehicle value
Personal effects and household goods
Funeral bonds up to limits
Some superannuation (depending on age)

Asset Test Calculation

Reduction Rates:

Pension reduces by $3 per fortnight for every $1,000 over limit
Separate tests for singles and couples
More generous limits for non-homeowners

How Long Does Disability Support Pension Last?

Permanent vs Temporary Conditions

Permanent Disability:

DSP continues indefinitely while eligible
Subject to regular reviews
No automatic cut-off date

Temporary Conditions:

Generally not eligible for DSP
May qualify for other payments
Reassessment when condition changes

Regular Reviews and Assessments

Medical Reviews:

Scheduled based on condition
Can be every 1-5 years or longer
May require updated medical evidence

Participation Reviews:

Assess work capacity
May require participation in programs
Could affect payment continuation

Does Disability Pension Stop at 65?

No, the Disability Support Pension does NOT stop at 65. This is one of the most common questions people search for, and here’s what actually happens:

Age Pension Transfer Process:

Services Australia sends you a letter about 13 weeks before you reach Age Pension age (currently 67)
You can choose to stay on DSP or transfer to Age Pension
If you transfer, your payment rate usually stays the same or similar
You’ll continue receiving pension-level benefits and healthcare concessions

Key Differences Between DSP and Age Pension:

Factor	DSP	Age Pension
Overseas travel	28 days per year before affected	26 weeks before affected
Medical reviews	May be required (especially under 35)	No medical reviews
Work limits	Must work under 15 hours/week	More flexible work hours

No Gap in Payments:

Seamless transition process
No need to reapply from scratch
Maintains payment history
Continues direct deposit arrangements

Disability Pension Eligibility Requirements

Medical Criteria

Impairment Requirements:

Diagnosed, treated, and stabilized condition
Prevents working 15+ hours per week
Permanent or likely to persist for 2+ years
Must score 20+ points on Impairment Tables

Common Qualifying Conditions:

Musculoskeletal disorders
Mental health conditions
Intellectual disability
Cardiovascular disease
Respiratory conditions
Neurological disorders

Non-Medical Criteria

Age Requirements:

16 years or older
Under Age Pension age (currently 67)

Residency Requirements:

Australian resident
10 years continuous residence, or
5 years with intention to remain

Work Capacity Assessment:

Cannot work 15+ hours per week
No current capacity for retraining
All reasonable job opportunities considered

How to Apply for Disability Support Pension

Step 1: Gather Required Documents

Medical Evidence:

Medical reports from treating doctors
Specialist assessments
Hospital discharge summaries
Test results and imaging

Identity Documents:

Birth certificate or passport
Medicare card
Tax file number declaration

Financial Information:

Bank statements
Income documentation
Asset valuations
Investment details

Step 2: Complete Application

Online Application:

Through myGov and Centrelink online
Upload documents electronically
Track application progress

Paper Application:

Available from Centrelink offices
Can be posted or submitted in person
Requires original documents

Step 3: Medical Assessment

Job Capacity Assessment (JCA):

Appointment with assessor
Review of medical evidence
Determination of work capacity
Impairment rating assessment

Step 4: Decision and Payment

Processing Timeframes:

8-16 weeks typical processing
May take longer for complex cases
Backpay from date of claim if approved

Appeal Options:

Request internal review
Administrative Appeals Tribunal
Time limits apply for appeals

DSP Payment Calculator: Estimating Your Entitlement

Get Your Instant DSP Estimate Our free calculator factors in income tests, asset tests, Work Bonus, and relationship status to give you a personalised estimate using current September 2025 rates.

Calculate Your DSP Payment →

Using Official Calculators

Services Australia Payment Finder:

Online tool for payment estimates
Considers income and assets
Provides approximate fortnightly rates
Available 24/7 through myGov

Manual Calculation Method

Step 1: Determine Base Rate

Single: $987.60 per fortnight
Partnered: $743.40 per fortnight

Step 2: Apply Income Test

Subtract income over free area
Apply 50% reduction rate
Include work bonus if applicable

Step 3: Apply Asset Test

Calculate excess assets
Apply $3 per $1,000 reduction
Use lower of income/asset test results

Step 4: Add Supplements

Pension supplement: $82.20
Energy supplement: $19.50 (single) / $15.80 (partnered)
Other allowances if eligible

DSP vs Other Centrelink Payments

JobSeeker Payment Comparison

DSP Advantages:

Higher payment rate
No mutual obligations
Healthcare card included
More stable long-term support

JobSeeker Payment:

$745.20 per fortnight (single)
Mutual obligation requirements
Time limits may apply
Lower total support

Age Pension Comparison

Similar Features:

Comparable payment rates
Same income and asset tests
Healthcare concessions
Rent assistance eligibility

Key Differences:

Age requirements (DSP under 65/67)
Medical criteria for DSP
Work capacity assessments

Support Services for DSP Recipients

Healthcare Support

Pensioner Concession Card Benefits:

Bulk-billed GP visits
Subsidized medications
Reduced medical costs
Dental and optical concessions

Mental Health Support:

Psychology sessions
Psychiatrist consultations
Mental health care plans
Community support services

Employment Support

Disability Employment Services:

Voluntary participation
Job search assistance
Workplace modifications
Employer education

Australian Disability Enterprises:

Supported employment
Skills development
Flexible work arrangements
Gradual workforce participation

Financial Counseling

Free Services Available:

Budget planning assistance
Debt management advice
Concession applications
Emergency relief referrals

Managing Your DSP Payments

Budgeting on a Fixed Income

Essential Expenses:

Housing costs (rent/mortgage)
Utilities and energy
Food and groceries
Healthcare costs
Transport expenses

Money Management Tips:

Use automatic savings transfers
Take advantage of concessions
Plan for annual expenses
Build small emergency fund

Maximizing Concessions

Available Concessions:

Public transport discounts
Council rate reductions
Utilities bill assistance
Recreation facility discounts

How to Apply:

Contact service providers
Show pensioner concession card
Ask about available discounts
Check local council programs

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is the disability pension per fortnight for a single person?

After the September 20, 2025 indexation, the Disability Support Pension for a single person is up to $1,149.00 per fortnight, including all supplements (base pension, pension supplement, and energy supplement). This amount may be reduced if you have income over $212 per fortnight or assets exceeding $314,000 (homeowner) / $566,500 (non-homeowner).

How much is DSP for couples per fortnight?

Couples each receive up to $866.80 per fortnight on the Disability Support Pension after September 2025 indexation. Combined, a couple can receive up to $1,733.60 per fortnight.

How long does the disability support pension last?

The Disability Support Pension continues indefinitely while you meet eligibility criteria, including medical requirements and income/asset tests. It doesn’t stop at age 65 - you’ll be transferred to Age Pension with similar payment rates and benefits continuing.

How much can I earn before my disability pension is affected?

You can earn up to $212 per fortnight (income free area) without affecting your DSP. Income above this reduces your pension by 50 cents per dollar. The Work Bonus allows an additional $300 per fortnight for employment income specifically, and unused amounts bank up to $11,800. Your payment stops entirely when income exceeds $2,510 per fortnight (single).

What are the asset limits for disability pension?

For 2025 (from September 20), the asset limits are:

Single homeowner: $314,000
Single non-homeowner: $566,500
Couple homeowner: $470,000 (combined)
Couple non-homeowner: $722,500 (combined)

Your principal home is exempt from the asset test. If your assets exceed limits, your pension reduces by $3 per fortnight for every $1,000 over the limit.

Does disability pension stop at 65 years old?

No, the Disability Support Pension does NOT stop at age 65. You’ll receive a letter from Services Australia about 13 weeks before you reach Age Pension age (currently 67) asking whether you want to stay on DSP or transfer to Age Pension. If you transfer, your payment rate usually remains the same or similar, and you’ll continue receiving pension-level benefits.

Need Help with Your DSP Application?

The Disability Support Pension provides essential financial security for Australians who cannot work due to permanent disability. Understanding payment rates, eligibility criteria, and application processes helps ensure you receive the support you’re entitled to.

Contact Services Australia on 132 717 or visit your local Centrelink office for personalized assistance with your DSP application or current payment queries.

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