Are huge savings coming? How the new cost of living measures could save you up to $500 on energy bills

As many of us are painfully aware, the cost of living in Australia has been skyrocketing at an alarming rate. But don’t worry; some relief might be on the horizon.

Starting from July 1st, the federal government has decided to implement various measures to alleviate the financial burden on millions of households.



These measures, outlined in the recent federal budget, include a pay increase for aged care workers, more affordable childcare options, and adjustments to ever-increasing energy bills.

We're here to provide you with a breakdown of all these measures, so keep reading.


Screen Shot 2023-06-27 at 9.21.34 AM.png
Living relief costs are coming this week as households battle the financial squeeze. Credit: Pixabay/Pexels.



One of the most talked-about aspects of this new cost of living relief is a power price reduction for several households. About five million homes nationwide will be eligible for up to $500 in energy bill savings. Meanwhile, around one million small businesses can access up to $650 in energy bill relief.

It's a fantastic starting point, but there are additional steps you can take to further save on energy bills. Consider using energy-efficient appliances, solar panels, or a smart thermostat for optimal temperature control. Remember, every little bit counts, and together, these changes can significantly impact your household budget.

For more energy-saving tips, check out this article here.



Other changes include the eligibility criteria for the first home guarantee and regional first home guarantee expanding to include married and de facto couples and any two borrowers who are not necessarily in a romantic relationship.

Furthermore, individuals who are not first-time home buyers but have not owned a property in Australia within the last ten years will also be eligible for these guarantees.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers said many Australians were feeling the pinch, and these measures were designed to help.

'The suite of policies, which will start to roll out from Saturday, will make a real difference in the lives of millions of hardworking Australians while delivering an economic dividend and laying the foundations for future growth,' he said.

'Key policies like energy price relief will directly reduce inflation, while others like cheaper childcare and enhanced paid parental leave will boost the capacity of our economy.'



In the past, aged care workers' wages lagged behind their peers in other industries, prompting concerns about staff turnover and quality of care. The burden of costly childcare services also prevented many parents, especially mums, from rejoining the workforce after having children. This reduction in workers has contributed to the rising pension age.

Thanks to the government's initiatives, these areas are now being addressed.

As part of the changes, aged care workers are set for a well-deserved 15 per cent pay rise, which will likely benefit over 250,000 employees across the sector. This means nurses on an award wage stand to earn an extra $10,000 a year, while personal care workers could see an extra $7,000.


Screen Shot 2023-06-27 at 9.21.44 AM.png
Millions of families are set to benefit from reduced childcare costs. Credit: Pexels/RDNE Stock project.





In terms of childcare, around 1.2 million families will soon find themselves paying less for their children's care. Furthermore, existing parental leave and dad and partner pay will be combined into a single 20-week scheme, which is expected to benefit about 180,000 families each year.

Education Minister Jason Clare explained that these changes aim to help businesses maintain staff levels and support parents – especially mums – in returning to the workforce.

Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth highlighted the more flexible parental payments to promote shared care, adding that there was still more work to be done in this area. She revealed that additional legislation in the coming months will provide families with an extra six weeks of paid parental leave by 2026.

Key Takeaways

  • The federal government promises measures to ease the cost of living, including a 15 per cent pay rise for aged care workers, cheaper childcare, and changes to paid parental leave starting July 1.
  • Electricity bill relief will be provided for some households, and a small business incentive will help eligible businesses become more energy efficient.
  • Eligibility for the first home and regional home guarantees will be expanded to include any two borrowers and non-first home buyers who have not owned a property in Australia in the past ten years.
  • More than 250,000 aged care workers will benefit from the pay rise, five million households will be eligible for up to $500 in power price relief, and around 1.2 million families will pay less for childcare.



So, members, while we may not be able to slow down the rising costs of living, it seems the government is finally stepping up to help ease the cost of living pressures. Here's to hoping these measures positively impact your household budget and bring a bit of sunlight to your day!

We are eager to hear your thoughts on these changes and discover any innovative methods you have employed to save money. If you have any advice, tips, or tricks to share, please leave them in the comments below. Let's support one another in living our best lives while being mindful of our finances.
 
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No I don't. The labour party are bare faced liars every one of them. Your reply indicates that you are most likely a labour sycophant and have been sucked in by them.
One could say that you are most likely a liberal sycophant and have been sucked in by them.
 
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Reactions: I'm Mal
All political parties are burying their collective heads in the sand or denying the obsvious solution of nuclear power? Since the inception of nuclear power in the late forties of the last century their has been if memory serves me correctly were three accidents two of which was human error? and one a natural disaster these were Three Mile Island in the U.S.A Chernobyl in Ukraine and fukushima in Japan. As a matter of interest we have one of, if not the biggest loads of yellow cake in the world. Reactors sould be built well away from cities and such.
 
Ahaa, here we go, labour's election campaign has started already. Halfway through their term, they are dangling carrots. Clearly the strategy all the way through is to make things bad in the first half of their term in office and blame the previous government and then try to look good and benevolent in the second half by appearing to come to the rescue. Don't be fooled!!!! There are already too many (32%) who are gullible enough to be sucked in by this commie regime.
All parties do the same thing
 
As many of us are painfully aware, the cost of living in Australia has been skyrocketing at an alarming rate. But don’t worry; some relief might be on the horizon.

Starting from July 1st, the federal government has decided to implement various measures to alleviate the financial burden on millions of households.



These measures, outlined in the recent federal budget, include a pay increase for aged care workers, more affordable childcare options, and adjustments to ever-increasing energy bills.

We're here to provide you with a breakdown of all these measures, so keep reading.


View attachment 23398
Living relief costs are coming this week as households battle the financial squeeze. Credit: Pixabay/Pexels.



One of the most talked-about aspects of this new cost of living relief is a power price reduction for several households. About five million homes nationwide will be eligible for up to $500 in energy bill savings. Meanwhile, around one million small businesses can access up to $650 in energy bill relief.

It's a fantastic starting point, but there are additional steps you can take to further save on energy bills. Consider using energy-efficient appliances, solar panels, or a smart thermostat for optimal temperature control. Remember, every little bit counts, and together, these changes can significantly impact your household budget.

For more energy-saving tips, check out this article here.



Other changes include the eligibility criteria for the first home guarantee and regional first home guarantee expanding to include married and de facto couples and any two borrowers who are not necessarily in a romantic relationship.

Furthermore, individuals who are not first-time home buyers but have not owned a property in Australia within the last ten years will also be eligible for these guarantees.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers said many Australians were feeling the pinch, and these measures were designed to help.

'The suite of policies, which will start to roll out from Saturday, will make a real difference in the lives of millions of hardworking Australians while delivering an economic dividend and laying the foundations for future growth,' he said.

'Key policies like energy price relief will directly reduce inflation, while others like cheaper childcare and enhanced paid parental leave will boost the capacity of our economy.'



In the past, aged care workers' wages lagged behind their peers in other industries, prompting concerns about staff turnover and quality of care. The burden of costly childcare services also prevented many parents, especially mums, from rejoining the workforce after having children. This reduction in workers has contributed to the rising pension age.

Thanks to the government's initiatives, these areas are now being addressed.

As part of the changes, aged care workers are set for a well-deserved 15 per cent pay rise, which will likely benefit over 250,000 employees across the sector. This means nurses on an award wage stand to earn an extra $10,000 a year, while personal care workers could see an extra $7,000.


View attachment 23399
Millions of families are set to benefit from reduced childcare costs. Credit: Pexels/RDNE Stock project.





In terms of childcare, around 1.2 million families will soon find themselves paying less for their children's care. Furthermore, existing parental leave and dad and partner pay will be combined into a single 20-week scheme, which is expected to benefit about 180,000 families each year.

Education Minister Jason Clare explained that these changes aim to help businesses maintain staff levels and support parents – especially mums – in returning to the workforce.

Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth highlighted the more flexible parental payments to promote shared care, adding that there was still more work to be done in this area. She revealed that additional legislation in the coming months will provide families with an extra six weeks of paid parental leave by 2026.

Key Takeaways

  • The federal government promises measures to ease the cost of living, including a 15 per cent pay rise for aged care workers, cheaper childcare, and changes to paid parental leave starting July 1.
  • Electricity bill relief will be provided for some households, and a small business incentive will help eligible businesses become more energy efficient.
  • Eligibility for the first home and regional home guarantees will be expanded to include any two borrowers and non-first home buyers who have not owned a property in Australia in the past ten years.
  • More than 250,000 aged care workers will benefit from the pay rise, five million households will be eligible for up to $500 in power price relief, and around 1.2 million families will pay less for childcare.



So, members, while we may not be able to slow down the rising costs of living, it seems the government is finally stepping up to help ease the cost of living pressures. Here's to hoping these measures positively impact your household budget and bring a bit of sunlight to your day!

We are eager to hear your thoughts on these changes and discover any innovative methods you have employed to save money. If you have any advice, tips, or tricks to share, please leave them in the comments below. Let's support one another in living our best lives while being mindful of our finances.
 
If you are already receiving a low income rebate you don't need to do anything, the $500 will automatically be applied.

If you haven't given your energy provider your pension/ health care number then you need to call and give it too them. In this case you are probably missing out on other rebates
I am still in the dark as to how this $500 is to be paid. My bill is monthly and due on July 10th. Does it mean I will not have it debited and show a credit until it is used up ? Presumably the $500 goes to the electricity company in that case and they have to monitor it - not always a good idea. Can somebody please clarify this?
 
I have continued to live in the near dark (only using lights when absolutely essential) as I don't trust this govt to pay any subsidy towards my elec bill. Over too many years when they have been in power, the labor govt has made & broken promises.
Yesterday I spoke to my supplier about the costs & how I could get a better deal. They are now going to change my old meter box to a new Smart meter where the charges vary over the day. Higher when everyone is cooking etc., medium through from 9am to 5pm then low over night & all weekend. This also lowers the service charge by 34c/day. On the medium cost I will be saving 4c/kwh & at low 10c/kwh. So by changing my routine a little bit I can do most of my cooking, washing & cleaning when the cost is at its lowest.
We do what we have to to survive in this country today.
Not just in this country, it seems we are all in a very leaky boat in every modern country in the world & we wouldn't want to live in a 3rd world situation, would we?
 
I never did & cannot now support paid parental leave, currently 20 weeks & rising to 26 weeks or half a year by 2026. We never had this when raising our family & we survived without the extra income. In fact, l was the sole bread winner, raising 4 children. We did without a lot & still managed to buy an old weatherboard Homes West (first) home. Do people want too much too soon today as well as a grand social life for which 2 wages are a necessity?

Is it any wonder the country is struggling as it is?

Making matters worse in Western Australia is the fact our Polies just voted themselves a 'Cost of Living Increase' as it was called. They already earn in one year 13 times more than a pensioner sees in one year & can retire on a big fat pension to boot. Pensioners are forever being screwed up to & including death.
 
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Reactions: Ann Head
I never did & cannot now support paid parental leave, currently 20 weeks & rising to 26 weeks or half a year by 2026. We never had this when raising our family & we survived without the extra income. In fact, l was the sole bread winner, raising 4 children. We did without a lot & still managed to buy an old weatherboard Homes West (first) home. Do people want too much too soon today as well as a grand social life for which 2 wages are a necessity?

Is it any wonder the country is struggling as it is?

Making matters worse in Western Australia is the fact our Polies just voted themselves a 'Cost of Living Increase' as it was called. They already earn in one year 13 times more than a pensioner sees in one year & can retire on a big fat pension to boot. Pensioners are forever being screwed up to & including death.
Their pay increase is wrong on so many levels, especially with the economy the way it is.
 

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