The Guides to Social Policy Law is a collection of publications designed to assist decision makers administering social policy law. The information contained in this publication is intended only as a guide to relevant legislation/policy. The information is accurate as at the date listed at the bottom of the page, but may be subject to change. To discuss individual circumstances please contact Services Australia.

5.1.7.60 TAL - current rates

Current rates

This table shows the current maximum rates (effective 20 September 2023) for a person qualified for TAL standard rate in dollars per quarter:

Recipient status Standard rate ($ per quarter)
Single 35.60
Partnered (partner getting neither social security pension nor social security benefit), partner not holder of a CSHC and person not getting pension or benefit before 12 March 1992. 17.80
Partnered and:

  • partner getting pension or benefit, or
  • partner is a holder of a CSHC, and
  • partner not getting TAL, and
  • partner, if taken to be qualified for TAL, does not get TAL due to a reason other than those set out in section 1061R.
 35.60
Partnered and:

  • partner getting pension or benefit, or
  • partner is a holder of a CSHC, and
  • partner getting standard TAL, or
  • partner, if taken to be qualified for TAL, does not get TAL due to a reason set out in section 1061R (e.g. partner's notional rate of pension supplement includes/included the pension supplement minimum amount).
 17.80
Member of an illness separated, temporarily separated or respite care couple, or partnered and partner in goal. 35.60
Partnered and partner not getting veterans supplement under the VEA or MRCA supplement under MRCA. 35.60
Partnered and partner getting veterans supplement under the VEA or MRCA. 17.80

This table shows the current maximum rates for a person qualified for TAL increased rate in dollars per quarter:

Recipient status Higher rate ($ per quarter)
Single 52.40
Partnered (partner getting neither social security pension nor social security benefit), partner not holder of a CSHC and person not getting pension or benefit before 12 March 1992. 26.20
Partnered and:

  • partner getting pension or benefit, or
  • partner is a holder of a CSHC, and
  • partner not getting TAL, and
  • partner, if taken to be qualified for TAL, does not get TAL due to a reason other than those set out in section 1061R.
 52.40
Partnered and:

  • partner getting pension or benefit, or
  • partner is a holder of a CSHC, and
  • partner getting TAL at the increased rate, or
  • partner, if taken to be qualified for TAL, does not get TAL due to a reason set out in section 1061R (e.g. partner's notional rate of pension supplement included/included the pension supplement minimum amount).
 26.20
Partnered and:

  • partner getting pension or benefit, or
  • partner is a holder of a CSHC, and
  • partner getting TAL at the standard rate.
 35.60
Member of an illness separated, temporarily separated or respite care couple, or partnered and partner in goal. 52.40
Partnered and partner not getting veterans supplement under the VEA or the MRCA supplement under MRCA. 52.40
Partnered and partner getting veterans supplement under the VEA or the MRCA supplement under MRCA. 26.20

Act reference: SSAct section 1061R TAL not payable in some circumstances

Indexation (1.1.I.100)

Once a year, in September, these rates are indexed to changes in the CPI.

TAL payability

A number of changes to TAL payability came into effect from 20 September 2009. Even though a person may be qualified for TAL, it is not payable in some circumstances. Refer to 3.8.7.

Act reference: SSAct section 1061S(1) Standard rate of TAL, section 1061R TAL not payable in some circumstances, section 1189 Analysis of Part, section 1190 Indexed and adjusted amounts, section 1191 CPI Indexation Table, section 1192 Indexation of amounts, section 1193 Indexation factor, section 1194 Rounding off indexed amounts

Policy reference: SS Guide 1.2.7.70 Telephone allowance (TAL) - description, 3.8.7 TAL - qualification & payability, 3.12.1 Pension supplement - qualification & payability, 5.1.8.30 Common provisions affecting calculation of a rate

Last reviewed: