Centrelink boost: JobSeeker, pensions, increase in youth allowance
Millions of Australians are in line for much-needed cost of living help thanks to increased Centrelink payments tomorrow.
This boost is worth billions of dollars and will help Australians who rely on payments such as Austudy, superannuation and JobSeeker.
The increase will result from indexation, which takes place twice a year in March and September, and which ensures that payments keep up with inflation.
Millions of Australians are in line for much-needed cost of living help thanks to increased Centrelink payments tomorrow.
Single parents will no longer be deprived of government support once their youngest child turns eight, and the Single Parent Payment will now continue until that child turns 14.
This will benefit around 57,000 families with an extra $176.90 per fortnight and is part of the largest round of permanent increases (apart from the Covid pandemic) in 14 years.
The single pension rate will increase by $32.70 to $1,096.70 per fortnight, and the combined couples rate will increase by $49.40 to $1,653.40.
Jobseekers’ Allowance will increase by $56.10 per fortnight to $749.20 for single people aged 22 or over without children, and by $57.30 per fortnight for those with children, up to 802 .50 dollars.
Under a measure included in the May federal budget, single people aged 55 or older will also see their benefits increased to $802.50 after nine months of unemployment.
Those on a JobSeeker and Parenting Payment partner rate will benefit from a payment rate of $686 from September 20, an increase of $54.80.
There are also increases for younger people, with Youth Allowance and Austudy payments increasing by $40.
As rents continue to rise across the country, rent assistance for single people will see its maximum payment increase to $184.80 per fortnight, while people in couples will see theirs increase to $174.
While the latest data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics indicates inflation is moderating – up 4.9 per cent in the year to July but down from 5.4 per cent in the previous month – the Treasurer Jim Chalmers said people across the country were “under pressure”.
Speaking earlier this month, Dr Chalmers said the measures – which will cost the Government $4.7 billion – were “what people need, when they need them most”, and would not add to inflation.
This boost is worth billions of dollars and will help Australians who rely on payments such as Austudy, superannuation and JobSeeker.
“Whether it’s cheaper medications, more support for paying the bills, or a little help paying the rent, these policies and programs aim to ease the pressure during these toughest times. difficult,” he said.
Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth said Labor was delivering on its commitment to “build a strong social safety net” for those who need it.
“We will always work to provide a strong safety net for Australians when they need it most,” she said.
But the Australian Council of Social Services (ACOSS) said the payment increases do not go far enough.
Nearly three-quarters of people on income support were eating less or skipping meals due to the rising cost of living in recent years.
Half of respondents to the ACOSS survey said the increases would not help.
The social pressure group called for income support at least equal to the pension rate.
