Many Australians still search online for the Centrelink $550 payment, remembering the extra support that was available during the height of the COVID‑19 pandemic. While that exact $550 Coronavirus Supplement is no longer in place, the idea behind it – boosting income support in tough times – is still very relevant for people on JobSeeker, Youth Allowance, Parenting Payment and other Centrelink benefits.
This guide explains what the $550 Centrelink payment was, what has replaced it, who may be eligible for extra help now, and how to check what you can receive based on current rules.
What was the Centrelink $550 payment?
During COVID‑19, the Australian Government introduced a Coronavirus Supplement of $550 per fortnight. It was paid on top of existing income support payments to help people who lost work or income.
The $550 supplement applied to eligible Centrelink recipients, including:
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JobSeeker Payment
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Youth Allowance (JobSeeker and students)
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Parenting Payment
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Austudy and ABSTUDY (Living Allowance)
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Special Benefit
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Farm Household Allowance
For a period, this meant some people on Centrelink received over double their usual rate, which provided a vital safety net during lockdowns and job losses.
The payment was temporary and reduced in stages before ending. It is no longer available today, but understanding it helps explain why current payments and supplements look the way they do.
Is the Centrelink $550 payment still available?
No. The exact $550 per fortnight Coronavirus Supplement has ended. It was part of the COVID‑19 economic response and finished once emergency measures were wound back.
However, while the $550 payment itself is gone, there are still several Centrelink supplements and supports that can boost your overall income if you are eligible. Instead of one large temporary top‑up, the government now uses a mix of:
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Permanent base rate increases to some payments
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Ongoing supplements, such as rent or energy help
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One‑off lump‑sum support in specific situations (for example, crisis payments, disaster payments when available)
Current Centrelink payments and extra help
If you are searching for the Centrelink $550 payment, you are most likely wanting to know what support you can get now. Here are some of the main ongoing payments and common supplements in Australia today.
Key income support payments
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JobSeeker Payment – for people who are unemployed or unable to find sufficient work and meet the activity and income/asset tests.
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Youth Allowance – for young people who are studying, training, looking for work, or doing an apprenticeship, subject to age limits and parental income tests.
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Parenting Payment – for single or partnered parents caring for young children, with different eligibility rules depending on the child’s age.
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Austudy and ABSTUDY – for students and apprentices who are over Youth Allowance age or who meet specific criteria.
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Disability Support Pension (DSP) – for people with a permanent and significant disability who meet medical and other eligibility rules.
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Age Pension – for older Australians who have reached Age Pension age and pass the income and assets tests.
Each payment has its own base rate, which is reviewed and indexed over time. While none of them replicate the old $550 supplement, many have built‑in supplements and allowances that increase your total fortnightly amount.
Common Centrelink supplements that boost your payment
Many Australians receive extra Centrelink supplements on top of their main payment. These do not total a full $550, but together they can make a noticeable difference.
Some key examples include:
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Energy Supplement – a small ongoing amount to help with energy bills for eligible payment types.
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Rent Assistance – for people who rent privately or in community housing, and receive a qualifying Centrelink payment. The amount depends on how much rent you pay.
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Family Tax Benefit (FTB) Part A and B – for families with dependent children, paid weekly, fortnightly, or yearly depending on your arrangement.
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Single Parenting supplements – additional support for eligible single parents.
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Remote or regional allowances – for people living in certain remote areas, depending on policy settings.
In some cases, people may also qualify for one‑off lump sums, such as:
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Crisis Payment – for people in extreme financial hardship due to a serious event (e.g. domestic violence, release from prison, or natural disaster).
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Advance Payment – allowing you to get some of your future payment early and repay it over time.
These measures all aim to target support where it is most needed, rather than using a blanket $550 payment for everyone on income support.
Who might benefit most now?
While the Centrelink $550 payment was broad, current support is more targeted. Australians who may benefit most from today’s arrangements include:
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People on JobSeeker with limited savings and high rental costs who qualify for maximum Rent Assistance.
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Single parents on Parenting Payment who also receive Family Tax Benefit and other related supplements.
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Low‑income families juggling childcare, school costs, and rent, especially when they receive a mix of FTB, Rent Assistance and energy support.
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Students and apprentices balancing study with part‑time work who get Youth Allowance or Austudy plus supplements.
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Older Australians or people with disabilities receiving DSP or Age Pension plus Pension Supplement and Energy Supplement.
The exact amounts will vary with income, assets, relationship status, rent, number of children, and where you live.
How to check what you can get instead of the $550 payment
If you are trying to work out “How much Centrelink can I get now?”, the most practical approach is to:
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Identify your main payment type
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Are you likely to be on JobSeeker, Youth Allowance, Parenting Payment, DSP, Age Pension, Austudy, or something else?
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Check based on your age, work status, health and caring responsibilities.
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Check eligibility rules
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Review residency requirements, income tests, and assets tests.
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If you have a partner, their income and assets count as well.
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Consider extra supplements
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Do you pay rent? Have dependent children? Live in a certain area?
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These factors may make you eligible for Rent Assistance, FTB, Energy Supplement, and more.
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Use an online estimator or speak with Services Australia
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Government tools and Centrelink staff can help you estimate your fortnightly payment based on up‑to‑date rules.
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Having details ready about your income, rent, assets, partner and children will make this easier.
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While there is no one‑size‑fits‑all $550 payment any more, many people can still access a meaningful level of support once all components are added together.
Why the Centrelink $550 payment still matters in conversations
Australians still talk about the Centrelink $550 COVID payment because it:
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Highlighted the true cost of living for people on low incomes.
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Showed how powerful an increase in income support can be for housing stability, food security, and mental health.
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Sparked ongoing debate about the adequacy of JobSeeker and related payments now that the supplement is gone.
When people search for the Centrelink $550 payment 2025 or similar phrases, they are often really asking whether current payment rates are enough to live on and what financial help they can still access if they lose work or face hardship.
Key takeaways for Australians today
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The original Centrelink $550 Coronavirus Supplement has ended and is not available now.
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Instead of one large temporary top‑up, support has shifted to permanent base rate changes plus a mix of ongoing supplements and one‑off payments.
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Your personal situation – income, assets, rent, family, health and location – will determine what you can receive.
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It is always worth checking your current eligibility, as rules and rates change over time.
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Even without the old $550 payment, many Australians can still receive significant combined support through multiple Centrelink payments and supplements.
FAQs about the Centrelink $550 payment
1. Is the Centrelink $550 payment still being paid?
No. The $550 Coronavirus Supplement ended after the COVID‑19 emergency period. It is no longer paid to any Centrelink recipients.
2. Who used to get the $550 Centrelink payment?
It was paid to eligible people on JobSeeker, Youth Allowance, Parenting Payment, Austudy, ABSTUDY, Special Benefit and some other income support payments during the pandemic.
3. What has replaced the Centrelink $550 payment?
There is no single replacement. Instead, people may receive higher base rates, Rent Assistance, Energy Supplement, Family Tax Benefit, Crisis Payments and other targeted support depending on their situation.
4. Can I still apply for the $550 Coronavirus Supplement?
No. New applications are not possible. You can only apply for current Centrelink payments and supplements under today’s rules.
5. How do I find out what Centrelink payments I can get now?
Check which payment type fits your situation, review eligibility criteria, and then estimate your rate using official tools or by contacting Services Australia for personalised guidance.
