Financial relief is coming: Centrelink announces cost-of-living increase for JobSeeker, Youth Allowance, and Partnered Parenting Payment
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Millions of Australians feeling the pressure of rising living costs will soon enjoy a boost to their finances.
The most extensive set of permanent Centrelink payment increases (outside of the COVID-19 pandemic) in the last 14 years are set to start flowing through from the 20th of September.
These payments are expected to help over 1 million people on income support.
Australian Treasurer Jim Chalmers said people across the country were 'under the pump', as inflation remains steady this month according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics—up 4.9 per cent in July but down from 5.4 per cent the month prior.
Starting September 20, the cost of living relief will see a $40 increase in payment each fortnight for around 782,000 people on JobSeeker, approximately 222,000 Australians on Youth Allowance, and about 64,000 families on Partnered Parenting payments.
Single parents in the country will get a bigger helping hand than ever, with sole parenting payments set to extend to children until the age of 14 instead of when their youngest child turns 8.
Over 57,000 families in sole parenting payments are estimated to benefit from an extra $176.90 a fortnight.
The 1.1 million Australian households receiving Commonwealth rent assistance will also receive a 15 per cent increase to the maximum rate–the largest increase in over 30 years and the rise in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) on the 20th.
This additional relief is estimated to cost the government $4.7 billion.
The Treasurer said these measures are 'What people need when they need it most' and that they won’t add to inflation.
On the 1st of September, millions of Australians living with chronic health conditions will also be able to take advantage of a 60-day dispensing period for certain medications–effectively halving the cost of their medicines.
Health Minister Mark Butler said cheaper medications will help Australians with their health and are 'good for the hip pocket'.
'Pensioners with a heart condition, children with Crohn's disease, veterans with high cholesterol, mothers with osteoporosis and fathers with high blood pressure will get important cost of living relief,' he said.
Mr Butler continued: 'Every single Australian will benefit from the freeing up of millions of much-needed general practitioner (GP) visits, so our doctors have more time to diagnose and treat conditions, instead of simply issuing routine, repeat scripts.'
Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth claimed Labor was making good on its commitment to 'build a strong social security safety net' for those who needed it.
'We will always work to provide a strong safety net for Australians when they need it most,' she shared.
These measures rolling out this month are on the heels of a series of interventions in July, which includes a 15 per cent pay increase for 250,000 aged care workers, cheaper child care for 1.2 million families, and power bill relief for lower-income households and businesses.
We’re sure this news is precisely what many members needed to hear, especially amid the rising costs of food, electricity, petrol and healthcare.
What do you think of this story? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
The most extensive set of permanent Centrelink payment increases (outside of the COVID-19 pandemic) in the last 14 years are set to start flowing through from the 20th of September.
These payments are expected to help over 1 million people on income support.
Australian Treasurer Jim Chalmers said people across the country were 'under the pump', as inflation remains steady this month according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics—up 4.9 per cent in July but down from 5.4 per cent the month prior.
JobSeeker, Youth Allowance and partnered parenting allowances will increase on September 20. Credit: F Photography R/Shutterstock
Starting September 20, the cost of living relief will see a $40 increase in payment each fortnight for around 782,000 people on JobSeeker, approximately 222,000 Australians on Youth Allowance, and about 64,000 families on Partnered Parenting payments.
Single parents in the country will get a bigger helping hand than ever, with sole parenting payments set to extend to children until the age of 14 instead of when their youngest child turns 8.
Over 57,000 families in sole parenting payments are estimated to benefit from an extra $176.90 a fortnight.
The 1.1 million Australian households receiving Commonwealth rent assistance will also receive a 15 per cent increase to the maximum rate–the largest increase in over 30 years and the rise in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) on the 20th.
This additional relief is estimated to cost the government $4.7 billion.
The Treasurer said these measures are 'What people need when they need it most' and that they won’t add to inflation.
On the 1st of September, millions of Australians living with chronic health conditions will also be able to take advantage of a 60-day dispensing period for certain medications–effectively halving the cost of their medicines.
Australians with chronic health conditions will have a 60-day dispensing period for certain medications. Credit: Golden Brown/Shutterstock
Health Minister Mark Butler said cheaper medications will help Australians with their health and are 'good for the hip pocket'.
'Pensioners with a heart condition, children with Crohn's disease, veterans with high cholesterol, mothers with osteoporosis and fathers with high blood pressure will get important cost of living relief,' he said.
Mr Butler continued: 'Every single Australian will benefit from the freeing up of millions of much-needed general practitioner (GP) visits, so our doctors have more time to diagnose and treat conditions, instead of simply issuing routine, repeat scripts.'
Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth claimed Labor was making good on its commitment to 'build a strong social security safety net' for those who needed it.
'We will always work to provide a strong safety net for Australians when they need it most,' she shared.
These measures rolling out this month are on the heels of a series of interventions in July, which includes a 15 per cent pay increase for 250,000 aged care workers, cheaper child care for 1.2 million families, and power bill relief for lower-income households and businesses.
We’re sure this news is precisely what many members needed to hear, especially amid the rising costs of food, electricity, petrol and healthcare.
What do you think of this story? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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