2024-25 federal budget set to ‘alleviate pocket pressures’ amid cost-of-living crisis

As the leaves turn golden and the air cools, Australians are not just preparing for the change of seasons but also the federal budget announcement.

It's a time when the government lays out its financial plans for the year ahead, and it's crucial to understand how these decisions will affect everyone’s pockets.

With the cost of living continuing to be a hot topic nationwide, many are eager to see what measures will be introduced to ease the financial burden.



Treasurer Jim Chalmers has been managing expectations, clarifying that Australians shouldn't expect 'big cash splashes' this time.

However, with the cost of living eating into budgets, the 2024-25 budget is anticipated to include policies to alleviate pocket pressures many are feeling.

Here's what we can look forward to on 14 May—and how it might make life a little easier for you.


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What should we expect from the 2024-25 federal budget? Credit: Shutterstock


Stage 3 Tax Cuts

The government's revised tax policy is set to be a cornerstone of this year's budget.

Initially announced in January and passed by parliament shortly after, the policy aims to provide more tax relief to low- and middle-income earners while still offering benefits to those on higher salaries.

The tax cuts are designed to address cost-of-living pressures and bracket creep.

The changes will lower the tax rate for the lowest two brackets and raise the threshold for the two highest brackets.



This is a shift from the original stage 3 tax cuts proposed by the previous government, which did not include lowering the tax rate for the first two brackets and would have abolished the 37 per cent bracket entirely.

From 1 July, every taxpayer will see a cut.

For example, someone earning an average income of around $73,000 will receive a tax reduction of $1504.

The exact amount you'll save depends on your earnings, but the policy's cost to the budget is estimated to be around $105.7 billion by 2027–28.

Stage Three Tax Cuts by Income.jpg
Energy Bill Relief

Hints from the government suggest that energy bill relief will continue to be a theme in this year's budget.

An existing policy provides up to $500 off power bills for eligible families and up to $650 for eligible small businesses.

‘Our government understands that for small business—as for Australian families—energy bills remain a source of financial pressure,’ Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said.



‘That's why the energy bill relief package I negotiated with the states and territories delivered up to $650 in savings for around 1 million small businesses, along with 5 million families.’

‘And as we put together next month's budget, small businesses and families will again be front and centre in our thinking.’

With energy bills expected to decrease or stabilise from 1 July for much of the country, the current relief package might be extended for another year, providing continued support for those feeling the pinch.

The rest of the plans will be revealed on 14 May, 7:30 pm at budget.gov.au.
Key Takeaways

  • The upcoming federal budget will address cost-of-living pressures with policies like Stage 3 tax cuts targeting low- and middle-income earners.
  • The Stage 3 tax cuts passed by parliament will lower tax rates for the lowest two brackets and raise the threshold for the two highest brackets, benefiting all taxpayers.
  • The government has hinted at continuing energy bill relief for families and small businesses in the forthcoming budget.
What are your hopes for the upcoming budget? Are there specific areas where you feel the government should focus its financial support? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
 
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"They have failed on too many levels and pushed their Communist agenda too strongly".

Communist agenda? Sweet FA useful social support, unnecessary tax-cuts in support of the LNP's past idiocy and trying to frighten Communist PR China with nuclear-powered submarines? Most peculiar Communism.
tax CUTS are all about votes and lining the politicians pockets first POLITICIANS $4000
Workers $1500
WELFARE recipients $432
WHO GETS THE BEST DEAL AND WHO GETS THE WORST DEAL
 
I would love to see proper rent relief for seniors, we are left out to try and manage living on cents not dollars ,they keep telling us to stay fit and healthy , well the stress which causes 99% of all health problems which us oldies are under just trying to survive where’s the accommodation for healthy aged ?why aren’t there more senior villages ,which would be fabulous for us to have company when we want ,why can property developers build over 55 villages with pre fab buildings in months for profit and the government can’t??? Pretty dodgy don’t you think ?
 
I would love to see proper rent relief for seniors, we are left out to try and manage living on cents not dollars ,they keep telling us to stay fit and healthy , well the stress which causes 99% of all health problems which us oldies are under just trying to survive where’s the accommodation for healthy aged ?why aren’t there more senior villages ,which would be fabulous for us to have company when we want ,why can property developers build over 55 villages with pre fab buildings in months for profit and the government can’t??? Pretty dodgy don’t you think ?
this govt like all govts are too busy lining their own pockets
$4.000 dollars in tax cuts and $18 90 for pensioners WHAT THE F
 
YES the retirees ,carers and the disabled be paid the same as single parents and the unemployed have been over the last 4 years THAT WOULD MEAN AN EXTRA AT LEAST %20 to catch up
 
Ok tax cuts, but government's charges for services we pay taxes for go up. Yippee! Loser-pays economics.

Just put up income-taxes in a decent graduated system. Start with a top tax rate of 60%
 
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Ok tax cuts, but government's charges for services we pay taxes for go up. Yippee! Loser-pays economics.

Just put up income-taxes in a decent graduated system. Star with a top tax rate of 60%
I THINK THIS IS VOTE BUYING FOR THIS GOVT AND IF THEY DO NOT =WIN THE NEXT ELECTION IT IS MADE HARDER FOR WHATEVER GOVT GETS IN
HOWEVER NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS THIS GOVT HAS DONE AN EXELLENT JOB OF LINING THEIR POCKETS AND ALL RICH PEOPLE WWITH HUGE TAX CUTS FOR THEM
TAX CUTS DO NOT HELP ANYONE ON BENEFITS OR THE ELDERLY
 
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The tax cuts were classic Tory legislation brought in by Scott Morrison. The ALP quite happily and very stupidly allowed itself to be wedged by the Tories and then honoured what at the best should have been a Howardesque non-core promise by Albanese. You are right ; those tax cuts favour only those on high incomes and that was the bleedin' obvious when Morrison legislated them in before the General Election.

The ALP has been socially gutless for far too long; it is simply the Alternative Liberal Party, and has been for the last 30 years since Keating became PM.
 

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