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Use these resources and FAQ's to understand partner income testing, explain the campaign, or take action. Choose something that suits your time, safety, and capacity. All actions are optional.
One-page information pack
Understand, explain and share
A concise explanation of the rules, affected payments, a current pension example, the evidence and what the campaign is asking the government to do.
Email your MP: End Partner Income Testing
Find and contact your local MP, Senator, and Ministers to raise concerns about Partner Income Testing.
Direct contact with elected representatives is one of the most effective ways to push for policy change.
Read the report: The Human Cost of the Partner Income Test
A 2026 independent Australia-wide survey of 794 people affected by the policy
Find out more about the real world harms caused by this long-standing policy.
Share your story
Lived-experience makes change
Tell us how partner income testing has affected you. You can remain anonymous, and you choose how we may use your story.
Organisation endorsement
Show your public support for the campaign
Organisations can agree with the campaign asks and consent to being publicly listed. No other action is required!
Frequently Asked Questions
Learn more
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 and how much they receive. The details and cut-offs differ between payments. The assumption is the same: that one partner’s income is available to the other.
Which payments are affected?
The campaign covers every Centrelink payment where a partner’s income can reduce or stop income support. This includes the Disability Support Pension, Carer Payment, Age Pension, JobSeeker Payment, Parenting Payment Partnered, Youth Allowance, Austudy, ABSTUDY Living Allowance and Special Benefit.
Does it only affect couples who live together?
No. Living apart does not automatically mean Centrelink treats a person as single. Couple rules can still apply in some circumstances, including work-related separation or where illness, frailty or care means partners cannot live together. Individual circumstances vary.
Why is the policy harmful?
A relationship does not guarantee equal, safe or reliable access to another person’s income. A reduced or cancelled payment can remove financial independence, deepen poverty, delay healthcare and make it harder for people to leave unsafe relationships. This harm is especially difficult to replace for many disabled people, carers and older people, and can be compounded by gender inequality, racism, ableism, homophobia, transphobia, caring responsibilities, ageism and family violence.
Does a partner have to share their income?
The social security system assumes pool resources, but a relationship does not guarantee that money is shared, enough to meet both people’s needs or safe to access.
Can Centrelink treat someone as single in special circumstances?
Section 24 of the Social Security Act allows a person to be treated as not being a member of a couple when there is a special reason. It is discretionary and case by case. It may help some people, but it is not a simple or guaranteed replacement for reform.
Can the campaign advise me about my payment?
No. We can share general campaign information, but we cannot provide individual Centrelink or legal advice. Contact a welfare rights service, community legal centre or Services Australia for advice about your circumstances.
How can I support the campaign?
You can email a representative, ask an organisation to endorse, share a campaign resource, follow the campaign or share your experience using the consent options that feel safe for you.