End partner income testing
A relationship should not cost anyone their financial independence.
Centrelink rules can reduce or stop a person’s income support payment because of what their partner earns. We are campaigning to end this across every affected payment.
What is partner income testing
Partner income testing is a Centrelink rule that counts a partner’s income when deciding whether someone can receive an income support payment, how much they receive, and if they get one at all. The details differ between payments. The assumption is the same: that one partner’s income is safe, sufficient, and available to the other.
For the Disability Support Pension, Carer Payment and Age Pension under the standard pension income test, a couple’s combined income above $396 a fortnight begins reducing support. Other payments use different rules and thresholds.
The rules also affect payments for parents, students and people looking for work, and can still affect some couples who live apart because of work, illness, frailty or care.
Why it matters
A relationship does not guarantee equal, safe or reliable access to another person’s money. Reducing someone’s payment can deepen poverty, delay healthcare, and make an unsafe relationship harder to leave.
The harm is compounded when a person cannot replace the lost income through paid work. Disability, age, caring responsibilities, gender inequality, racism, homophobia, transphobia and family violence can deepen the impact.
What respondents said
An independent 2026 Australia-wide survey with 794 responses found:
- 58.8% reported being unable to pay bills such as rent or utilities
- 55.9% reported delaying medical appointments or medication
- 44.0% said the policy had made them feel unsafe or prevented them from leaving a relationship
What we want
- End partner income testing across every affected Centrelink payment
- Introduce harm reduction measures with affected people while abolition is pursued
- Create easier, safer pathways for people experiencing violence or harms
Contact Us
contact@endpartnerincometesting.com