Cost of living relief kicks in July 1: What Aussies can expect

If you’ve been feeling the pinch at the checkout, the petrol station, or when opening your latest electricity bill, you’re not alone. The cost of living has been a hot topic for many of us, and it’s no secret that every little bit of help counts.

Well, we’ve got some good news: starting tomorrow, a raft of new government measures is set to put more money back in the pockets of millions of Australians—including many of our Seniors Discount Club members!



What’s Changing on July 1?
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his government are rolling out a suite of cost-of-living relief measures designed to help everyday Aussies.

'The Albanese Labor Government is delivering more real, practical and ongoing help with the cost of living for Australians, with more support set to roll out a week from today,' said Treasurer Jim Chalmers. 'This is more responsible, meaningful hip-pocket help for households.'

Whether you’re working, retired, supporting a family, or helping out with the grandkids, there’s a good chance you or someone you love will benefit from these changes.

Let’s break down what’s coming your way.


Screenshot 2025-06-30 at 11.35.07.png
Aussies on the minimum wage and those on awards will receive a 3.5% pay rise from 1 July, outpacing inflation and lifting the hourly minimum wage to $24.95. Image source: Anthony Albanese MP / Youtube.



1. Electricity Rebates and Other Relief
While the $75 quarterly electricity rebate is set to continue until the end of 2025, it’s worth noting that this is just one of several ongoing supports designed to help with rising utility costs.

If you haven’t already, make sure you’re receiving all the rebates and concessions you’re entitled to—especially as a senior!

2. Family Tax Benefit Increases
Families receiving Family Tax Benefit Part A will see the maximum payment for children under 13 rise to $227.36 per fortnight, and for those aged 13 or over, up to $295.82 per fortnight.

Family Tax Benefit Part B is also increasing, with the maximum rate now $193.34 per fortnight (or $134.96 for families with a youngest child aged five or over).

3. Superannuation Boosts
Compulsory employer super contributions are rising from 11.5 per cent to 12 per cent. This means more money going into your retirement savings—great news for those still working or with family members in the workforce.

Plus, superannuation will now be paid on top of paid parental leave, helping new parents build their nest egg even while taking time off to care for a new bub.



4. Paid Parental Leave Improvements
Paid parental leave is increasing from 22 to 24 weeks, giving new parents more time at home with their little ones.

The income limits for eligibility are also rising, with the individual cap now at $180,007 and the family cap at $373,094. This means more families will qualify for this important support.

5. Minimum Wage Increase
Australia’s 2.9 million workers on awards or the minimum wage will see a 3.5 per cent pay rise from July 1. That’s a bigger bump than the current inflation rate of 2.4 per cent meaning real-world gains for those who need it most.

The new minimum hourly rate will be $24.95, translating to a full-time weekly wage of $948, or $49,296 a year. For the 200,000 Aussies on the minimum wage, that’s an extra $1,669 a year in your pocket. 'The Albanese Labor Government is delivering what we said we would at last month's election, rolling out billions of dollars' worth of responsible support from 1 July,' Chalmers said.




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Paid parental leave is increasing to 24 weeks (up from 22), with superannuation now included, and income limits for eligibility rising to benefit more families. Image source: Anthony Albanese MP / Youtube.



6. Tradie Apprenticeship Incentives
Know a young person considering a trade? New apprentices in housing construction will receive up to $10,000 in incentive payments over the course of their apprenticeship.

Payments are staggered at $2,000 after six months, one year, two years, and three years—helping to ease the financial burden as they learn their trade.

In earlier news: Millions of Aussies set for a cash boost—here’s what it could mean for you



7. Student Debt Relief
For those with children or grandchildren at university, there’s more good news: the government is cutting student debt by 20%, averaging a $5,520 reduction per person. This is a significant saving for families supporting students, and it’s backdated to June 1.

8. Tax Cuts on the Horizon
While most of the immediate relief starts tomorrow, there’s more to look forward to.

From July 1, 2026, the tax rate for workers earning $18,201 to $45,000 will drop from 16% to 15%, saving $268 a year. In 2027, it drops again to 14%, bringing total relief to $536 over two years. Every taxpayer earning above $45,000 will also benefit from these cuts.

Also read: ‘The new super tax has been designed to excuse long-serving politicians': And it’s causing outrage



With so many changes happening, it’s a great time to review your entitlements. Are you getting all the rebates, supplements, and concessions you qualify for? If you’re unsure, reach out to Services Australia or your local Centrelink office, or ask in the comments below—our community is always happy to help!

Related story: ‘Many Australians continue to experience financial challenges’: Meanwhile, MPs just scored a $15k raise

Key Takeaways

  • Aussies on the minimum wage and those on awards will receive a 3.5% pay rise from 1 July, outpacing inflation and lifting the hourly minimum wage to $24.95.
  • Paid parental leave is increasing to 24 weeks (up from 22), with superannuation now included, and income limits for eligibility rising to benefit more families.
  • New apprentices in housing construction will pocket up to $10,000 in incentive payments during their apprenticeship, with other family payments such as Family Tax Benefit Part A and B also set to rise.
  • Further income tax relief is on the way, starting from July 2026, but university student debt will be cut by 20% (on average $5,520) as part of Labor’s promised cost-of-living support.

We’d love to hear from you! Are you or your family set to benefit from these new measures? Do you think the government is doing enough to help with the cost of living? Share your thoughts, experiences, and questions in the comments below. Let’s support each other and make sure everyone gets the help they deserve!
 
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Pleased to see so many people getting increases in their payments, however for aged pensioners the increase of $4.60 was insulting. Our insurances electricity food and other expenses are also increasing far more than $4.60 will cover. Polititions giving themselves a massive increase both state and federal have not helped. Obviously aged pensioners don’t count any more when they are after votes
That would be $2.30 p/w....my Bloody Rent went up $100 p/w to $700 p/w....how can this Government say they're helping with the Cost of Living. It won't be long before a lot of Age Pensioners that rent will be living on the streets.
 
I'm retired on a disability support pension, no kids, spent what little superannuation I had on getting solar panels and battery backup. So there goes all the 'cost of living benefits Albo's talking about. He doesn't say anything about raising pensions, does he?
 
No, pensioners get nothing, but the pollies get a bucket load in pay rises. It’s even harder when you are living off your savings, and don’t even get any kind of pension or benefits. Gezzabel.
 
What are they doing for aged pentioners I don't mean self funded that ca afford I mean the one's aged and old disability people there seems to be plenty of help for the one's that are able but none for the poorest of our country . How about Albo spends more in our own country and less overseas working about being called the beautifull little boy what an insult that is
 
how exciting ..I can now re commence buying my crumpets which I had to forgo when the price doubled year ago unfortunately the crumpets will blow the entire rise in the pension but boy... what a weekend I will have,80yrs of age and celebrating being able to once again buy crumpets talk about luck....
 
I think it's disgusting that pensioners got a 25c payrise a day and the Prime Minister gets $15,000 a year pay rise. You can't buy anything for 25c. I'm a pensioner and finding it very hard financially, as so many of us, are. Is that what they think we're worth?
surely $42 per day is good value for polies wages (perhaps wages is the wrong word 'gifts'would be better)...thats $588 per fortnight..RISE...versus $4.20 pension rise wow!
 
Did not see anything at all that was going to make all aged pensioners jump out of bed with real happy smiles on our faces . Plus I could scream every time I hear and been told “I can’t believe how you have slipped thru the cracks” by these government department assessing people .I must be the skinniest old person around My little bit of hair stands straight on end like when I read ” People are rushing in to buy this article it’s FLYING of the shelves . And yes I’ve had my cup of coffee🙃
 
Albo got in again but only through corruption.

If we HAVE to vote..to get a government, & they don’t perform, then we should be able to vote to get rid of them !!!

More suicides, more long-term businesses closing down, higher taxes & utility costs… the list goes on and on.

Albo & his team of clowns need to disappear…………..
 
Another article which promotes the bashing of the current government.

Where would you be with Spud Dutton at the helm?

Looking at well over $100 for a medical consultation with no Medicare rebate?

Savagely reduced tax rates for businesses and individuals at the high end of town, while Average Joe wallows in the mire of the increased cost of living.

The brown nosing of the Orange Felon Trump by Dutton, appeasing to his ever changing tariff stance.

And the list goes on and on and on....
 
Albo got in again but only through corruption.

If we HAVE to vote..to get a government, & they don’t perform, then we should be able to vote to get rid of them !!!

More suicides, more long-term businesses closing down, higher taxes & utility costs… the list goes on and on.

Albo & his team of clowns need to disappear…………..
Corruption?

Care to cite evidence where corruption had occurred in the 3 May election.

Another hallucination courtesy of the right wing nutcases living in their imitation ivory towers as supplied by Temu.
 
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Reactions: Abbie70
What are the pensions going to get, most of the pensioners in this country are doing it very tough and all we hear about is what everyone else is getting and not how the government are giving the pensioners a boost the last increase we got from the government was $2.00 a fortnight, what a insult to older people who have kept this country going in their lifetime.
Diane Carthew
Queensland
 
Ian angered that people are still whining about cost of living, but they had a chance to get rid of Airmiles Albo, and still voted him in. There’s a lot of morons in Australia, who are probably regretting voting for him, but they didn’t like the Coalition leader’s personality. Blame these idiots, and expect the lies to continue coming out of Albo’s mouth. He was caught in so many lies during the campaign, and he still got voted in! I hope all those idiots enjoy paying more taxes! Watch out, I will be he raises the GST next! Baby boomers are paying the most tax, because we worked hard and saved, so apparently, we’re rich. Albo should be ashamed of himself. As for his ignorance in defence policies, I pray to God, that next time China circumnavigates Australia, we don’t have to rely on a Virgin Airlines pilot to raise the alarm. Gezzabel.
An awful lot of ignorance in Australia now. We seem to have two types of people - one lot who have their hands out and vote for the freebies, with absolutely no regard to what's best for the country, and another lot who have no idea how the preferential voting system works and are swayed by political propaganda and influencers. They all appear to lack the intelligence to see through the lies of labor politicians. In all my years, I've never seen a government so lacking in morals and standards. Truly appalling that people actually voted these liars back in. I thought Australia was smarter than that.
 
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Reactions: midgemills
I would love to see some of these big politicians survive just on the pension without any rent assistance no superannuation to rely on and see how they go please
 

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