Mobility Allowance 2026: Rates, Eligibility, and How to Claim
Complete guide to Mobility Allowance in 2026. Current rates, who qualifies, how to apply, and the difference between standard and higher rates.
What Is Mobility Allowance?
Mobility Allowance is a Centrelink payment to help people with a disability, illness, or injury who cannot use public transport without substantial assistance. It helps cover the cost of transport to and from work, study, job seeking, or voluntary work. The payment recognises that people who can't use buses, trains, or trams independently face higher transport costs — taxis, disability transport services, or relying on others for lifts. Mobility Allowance is paid on top of other Centrelink payments (you can receive it in addition to Disability Support Pension, JobSeeker, or other payments) and is not subject to an income or assets test. It's a flat-rate payment that doesn't reduce based on your other income. Importantly, Mobility Allowance is closed to new applicants as of March 2014, but those who were receiving it before that date continue to receive it.
Current Rates — March 2026
Mobility Allowance is paid at two rates: Standard rate: $105.40 per fortnight ($2,740 per year). Higher rate: $148.40 per fortnight ($3,858 per year). The standard rate applies if you're doing at least 32 hours per four weeks of approved activities (work, study, job searching, or voluntary work). The higher rate applies if you're working in open employment (not Australian Disability Enterprises) for at least 15 hours per week, or you're a combination of work and study for at least 15 hours per week, and you're not receiving a Centrelink pension-type payment. The payment is made every two weeks along with your regular Centrelink payment. Both rates are indexed periodically. Mobility Allowance is tax-free — you don't need to include it in your tax return.
Eligibility — Who Currently Receives It
Since Mobility Allowance is closed to new claimants, only people who were receiving it before 1 March 2014 continue to get it. To maintain eligibility, you must: be aged 16 or over, have a disability, illness, or injury that prevents you from using public transport without substantial assistance, be doing approved activities (paid work, voluntary work, study, or job seeking) for at least 32 hours over 4 weeks, not be able to travel to and from those activities without transport support, and be in Australia. 'Substantial assistance' means you can't independently plan a journey, get to and from transport stops, get on and off vehicles, or travel safely without another person helping you. If your condition improves and you regain the ability to use public transport independently, your Mobility Allowance would cease. However, temporary improvements (a good week) don't affect your ongoing eligibility.
What Happened to New Applicants After 2014?
From 1 March 2014, Mobility Allowance was closed to new applicants as part of the transition to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). People who would previously have applied for Mobility Allowance are now expected to access transport support through their NDIS plan. If you have an NDIS plan, you may be able to include funding for transport — including taxis, disability transport services, or contributions to a vehicle that helps you participate in activities. If you're not eligible for the NDIS but have transport difficulties due to disability, other options include: state-based taxi subsidy schemes (available in all states and territories), community transport services, and the Disability Support Pension (which includes a higher base rate than JobSeeker to partly offset additional living costs). Contact the NDIS on 1800 800 110 to check your eligibility.
How Mobility Allowance Interacts With Other Payments
Mobility Allowance is paid in addition to your regular Centrelink payment — it doesn't reduce any other payment and isn't reduced by income or assets. You can receive Mobility Allowance alongside: Disability Support Pension, JobSeeker Payment, Youth Allowance, Parenting Payment, ABSTUDY, Austudy, or Special Benefit. The only payment it cannot be received with is the NDIS-funded transport component — if you start receiving NDIS transport funding, your Mobility Allowance may cease. Mobility Allowance is also not subject to any income test. Whether you earn $0 or $1,000 per fortnight, the Mobility Allowance amount stays the same. This makes it one of the simplest Centrelink payments — once you're on it, you receive the full amount as long as you continue meeting the activity test and can't use public transport. It's also exempt from the waiting periods that apply to other payments.
Reporting Requirements and Keeping Your Payment
Mobility Allowance has minimal ongoing reporting requirements compared to other payments. You don't need to report income for Mobility Allowance purposes (though you may need to report for your primary payment). You do need to report changes to your circumstances, including: changes to your medical condition that affect your ability to use public transport, changes to your activity hours (if you drop below 32 hours per 4 weeks), or if you start receiving NDIS transport funding. Centrelink may periodically review your eligibility by requesting an updated medical certificate confirming your inability to use public transport. If requested, you'll need to obtain this from your treating doctor within the specified timeframe. If you're having difficulty meeting the activity test (32 hours per 4 weeks), contact Centrelink before your hours drop — they may be able to offer an exemption or alternative arrangement rather than cancelling your payment.
State Taxi Subsidy Schemes — The Alternative
If you're not receiving Mobility Allowance (because you weren't on it before 2014), state taxi subsidy schemes are the main alternative for subsidised transport. NSW: Taxi Transport Subsidy Scheme — 50% off taxi fares up to $30 per trip. Victoria: Multi Purpose Taxi Program — 50% off taxi fares up to $60 per trip. Queensland: Taxi Subsidy Scheme — 60% off taxi fares up to $25 per trip. South Australia: Transport Subsidy Scheme — 75% off taxi fares up to $40 per trip. Western Australia: Taxi User Subsidy Scheme — 50% off taxi fares. Tasmania: Transport Access Scheme — discounted taxi travel. Each scheme has its own eligibility criteria, generally requiring a permanent disability that prevents you from using public transport. Apply through your state's transport authority with a medical certificate confirming your disability and transport limitation.
Tips for Managing Transport Costs With a Disability
Beyond Mobility Allowance and taxi subsidies, there are several other ways to reduce transport costs. Community transport: most local council areas have a community transport service offering door-to-door transport for elderly and disabled residents at low or no cost. Contact your local council or call My Aged Care (1800 200 422). NDIS transport funding: if you're an NDIS participant, discuss transport support with your planner — you may be eligible for funding for taxis, support worker travel, vehicle modifications, or a contribution to a vehicle purchase. State disability transport services: services like Wheelchair Accessible Taxis (WATs) are available in all capital cities. Concession travel: if you can use public transport with assistance, most states offer concession fares for disability concession card holders. Some ride-share services (Uber, DiDi) offer accessible vehicle options in major cities. If you're spending a significant portion of your Centrelink payment on transport, contact a Centrelink Financial Information Service officer (free) for help managing your budget.
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General information and estimates only — not financial, tax, or legal advice. Always verify with Services Australia.
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