The time taken to process applications for the Age Pension is improving – but you can still expect to wait a couple of months to be approved, according to Services Australia.
Following a barrage of criticism over new Centrelink age pension processing times earlier this year, Services Australia added 3,000 new staff to work through the backlog and take calls, with more to be added this financial year.
The Australian Government department says the processing times for the Age Pension have now reduced from 84 to 49 days.
But COTA Australia Chief Executive Officer Pat Sparrow said there are still opportunities to improve the Age Pension application process.
“While faster processing times are welcome news for older Australians, the application system itself remains needlessly complex. Many older Australians consistently tell us they find the application process overwhelming and difficult to understand,” Pat said.
“Processing speed is a welcome improvement, but making the pension application process simple and accessible is equally crucial for older Australians.
“COTA Australia strongly encourages anyone approaching pension age to lodge their claim 12 weeks before their 67th birthday.”
The rates for a full Age Pension for Australians for the period 20 September 2024 to 19 March 2025 are listed below:
- Single: $1,144.40 per fortnight (approximately $29,754 per year)
- Couple (each): $862.60 per fortnight (approximately $22,428 per year)
- Couple (combined): $1,725.20 per fortnight (approximately $44,855 per year)
- Couples separated due to illness each receive the Single rate (see above), which combined is $2,288.80 (approximately $59,509 per year)
Currently, around eight in every 10 people over the age of 65 receive some level of Age Pension in Australia.