Disability Support Pension (DSP) Rates 2026: $1,200.90 Per Fortnight + Calculator

About the Disability Support Pension (DSP) is paid at the same rate as the Age Pension. From 20 March 2026, the maximum rate for a single person aged 21 or over is $1,200.90 per fortnight ($31,223.40 per year). For couples, each person receives up to $905.20 per fortnight ($23,535.20 per year).

These rates include the base rate, Pension Supplement, and Energy Supplement. People under 21 without dependent children receive a lower youth rate — $581.50 per fortnight if you're under 18 and living at home, $645.00 if you're 18–20 and living at home, or $839.80 if you're independent — however, if you're under 21 WITH children, you receive the full adult rate.

Source: Services Australia, DSP payment rates (adult rates from 20 March 2026; youth rates from 1 January 2026). DSP is indexed on 20 March and 20 September, so the next adult-rate change is due on 20 September 2026. Put your own income and assets into the DSP calculator for a fortnightly estimate. DSP is a tax-free payment and comes with a Pensioner Concession Card for discounts on medicines, health services, and utilities.

To qualify for DSP, you must be aged 16 or older, be an Australian resident, and have a permanent physical, intellectual, or psychiatric condition that's fully diagnosed, treated, and stabilised (FDTS), and prevents you from working 15 or more hours per week at or above the relevant minimum wage within the next 2 years. You must also score 20 or more points on the Impairment Tables, with at least one impairment scoring 10 points. There's a 'Program of Support' requirement for people whose condition is not considered manifest (severely disabled) — you generally need to have completed an approved employment support program before claiming.

People with a manifest disability (e.g., blind, permanently wheelchair-bound, terminal illness with less than 2 years to live) can have their claim fast-tracked without the Program of Support requirement.

DSP uses the same income test as the Age Pension. From 1 July 2026, single recipients have an income free area of $226 per fortnight, and couples have a combined free area of $396 per fortnight. Above these thresholds, the pension reduces by 50 cents for every dollar of income.

DSP recipients under Age Pension age can work up to 30 hours per week and still retain eligibility (though the income test will reduce the payment amount). Financial assets are subject to deeming — they're deemed to earn income at 1.25% on the first $66,800 (single) and 3.25% above that, regardless of actual returns.

Quick version: Unlike the Age Pension, DSP recipients don't have access to the Work Bonus (which is limited to people of Age Pension age).

DSP uses the same asset test as the Age Pension. From 1 July 2026, for a single homeowner the full pension threshold is $333,000 and the cut-off is $733,500. For non-homeowners, these are $600,000 and $1,000,500.

For couples (combined), homeowner full pension threshold is $499,000 and cut-off is $1,102,500; non-homeowner thresholds are $766,000 and $1,369,500. Above the full pension threshold, the payment reduces by $3 per fortnight for every $1,000 in excess assets.

This is worth knowing. Your home is exempt from the asset test (if you own one), but superannuation is counted if you're of Age Pension age. If you're under Age Pension age, super in accumulation phase may or may not be counted depending on accessibility.

If you're under 21 and don't have dependent children, DSP is paid at a lower youth rate: $581.50 per fortnight if you're under 18 and living at home, $645.00 if you're 18–20 and living at home, or $839.80 if you're assessed as independent (rates from 1 January 2026). The at-home rates are roughly half the adult rate. However, if you're under 21 and HAVE dependent children, you receive the full adult rate ($1,200.90/fn single).

The under-21 rate is structured differently and doesn't include the Pension Supplement. Under-21 DSP recipients may also be subject to the Parental Means Test if they're not considered independent, which can further reduce their payment based on their parents' income and assets.

Independence criteria include being in state care, earning a certain amount, being unable to live at home, or being married/in a de facto relationship.

DSP applications involve a medical assessment by a Government-contracted doctor (Job Capacity Assessor). You'll need medical evidence from your treating doctors supporting your condition. The process typically takes 3-6 months due to medical assessments, and the rejection rate is high — approximately 60% of claims are initially rejected.

If rejected, you can request a review by an Authorised Review Officer (ARO) and then appeal to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT). Many successful DSP claims are granted on appeal, so don't be discouraged by an initial rejection.

Quick version: Gather strong medical evidence including specialist reports, treatment history, and functional capacity assessments. Use our free DSP calculator to estimate your potential payment amount.