Government Age Pension eligibility

What is the Government Age Pension?

The Age Pension helps support your retirement with regular fortnightly payments from Centrelink. While you might think it's only for people with limited savings, the Age Pension could be an important part of your retirement income.

You can get the Age Pension if you:

• Have reached pension age (currently 67)
• Are an Australian resident
• Pass Centrelink's income and assets tests.

Check your eligibility

You might be eligible for either a full or part Age Pension. Even if you've got some savings or super, it's worth checking what you could receive.

Being eligible for the Age Pension opens doors to other benefits too - you'll receive a Pensioner Concession Card that gives you discounts on medicines and health services.

If you don’t qualify for the Age Pension, you may still be eligible for a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card (CSHC) which offers similar discounts on healthcare and prescriptions.

Your eligibility can change over time as your income and assets change. So even if you're not eligible now, you or your partner could become eligible later.

How much is the Age Pension?

The amount you'll receive depends on whether you're single or a couple. These rates change twice a year - in March and September. Read our fact sheet, opens in a new window to learn more about payments.

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Source: Services Australia, opens in a new window

Age Pension eligibility

To apply for the Age Pension, you need to be 67 or older and have lived in Australia for at least 10 years. When you apply for the Age Pension, Centrelink will also apply two types of means tests:

• the assets tests; and
• the income test.
   

Each test has a limit. If you’re over the limits, you may not be eligible or you may only qualify for a part pension.

Whichever test results in the lower pension will be the one you receive. On the plus side, the home you own and live in isn’t counted as part of the test. One of our retirement experts explains how it works.

Watch this video about how to navigate the Age Pension.

The assets test

The assets test looks at what you own, including money in the bank, investments, and super. Your home contents and personal assets count too, but at their second-hand value, not what you paid for them.

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The income test

The income test looks at money coming in from different places. There's actual income - like money from work or rent. Then there's income from your financial assets, which is counted differently. For savings accounts, shares and investments, Centrelink uses deeming rates. This means they assume you earn a set amount, regardless of what you actually receive. These can be changed by the government at any time.

What counts as income?

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Age Pension and super

The Age Pension is your safety net if you don't have much super or your super runs out later in retirement. You can apply for the Age Pension while drawing an income from your super through a Retirement Income account. Your super balance and income will affect how much Age Pension you receive through the income and assets tests. Remember, if you withdraw your super as a lump sum and put it in the bank or invest the money, it will still be subject to the income and assets test.

How to apply for the Age Pension

1. Get your paperwork ready

• You'll need documents that prove your:
  • Age
  • Australian residence
  • Income and assets
  • Bank account details
  • Tax file number
  • Your relationship status.
     

2. Apply early if you can

• You can apply up to 13 weeks before turning 67.
   

3. Make your application

• You can apply in three ways:
  • Through your MyGov account online, opens in a new window
  • By completing paper forms and posting them to Centrelink
  • In person at your local Centrelink office.
     

If Centrelink asks for more information, you'll have 13 weeks to provide everything they need. Make sure you send all the requested documents together. If you miss the deadline or don't provide complete information, you'll need to start a new application.

Other government benefits

Your Age Pension comes with extra benefits to help with living costs. When you receive the Age Pension, you also get a Pensioner Concession Card that provides discounts on medicine, health and other government services. Even if you don't qualify for the Age Pension, you might be eligible for the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card when you turn 67. This card helps reduce costs for prescriptions, healthcare and transport.

Take a look at the government benefits you might be able to get. Remember to check the specific eligibility criteria for each one. 

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Each state offers different discounts for pensioners. These could help with: 

• Gas and electricity costs 
• Water bills 
• Car registration 
• Public transport fares.

FAQ