As the cost of living continuously rises, any increase in Centrelink payments is typically welcomed.

The Australian government has recently announced a six per cent increase in Centrelink payments, which will affect almost one million recipients.

Despite the increase, there's a growing consensus that this measure is simply not enough to make a significant difference in the lives of those who need it most.

Cassandra Goldie, CEO of the Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS), has been vocal about the inadequacy of the current increase.

The increase in Centrelink payments is not enough for many Aussies. Image source: Shutterstock.

In an interview, she acknowledged that while every extra dollar helps, it ‘does not get these key payments to the level that will lift people out of poverty'.

ACOSS's research towards the end of last year painted a grim picture of the struggles faced by those relying on Centrelink payments.

'Our cost of living research…showed people relying on these kinds of payments were going without food; they were going without heating and cooling,' Ms Goldie shared.

'We want to see action,' she added.

'We do want the government to go much further with its approach to tackling [the] cost of living [crisis], particularly for people on the very lowest incomes.'

This comes after news that those on the Age Pension, Disability Support Pension, and Carer Payments will receive a much-needed increase in their payments starting from the 20th of September, 2023.

Under this initiative, each single pensioner would see an increase of $32.70 per fortnight, while couples will get an increase of $49.40 ($24.70 each). You can read more about this here.

Adding to these cost of living relief initiatives, around 782,000 people on JobSeeker saw a $40 increase in payment each fortnight, while 222,000 Australians on Youth Allowance and about 64,000 families on Partnered Parenting also saw an increase in payments.

This additional relief is estimated to cost the government $4.7 billion.

While the increase seemed substantial, experts said that the current system still leaves pensioners lagging behind inflation.

National Seniors Australia Chief Advocate Ian Henschke stated: 'More can be done to support older people doing it tough, as recent National Seniors research showed a greater proportion of people with low incomes and those who are renting are suffering from cost-of-living pressures.’

'What we need is additional targeted support for people with limited means.'

'We will continue to fight for a system that improves people's lives.'

Key Takeaways

• Almost one million Centrelink recipients will receive a six per cent increase in their payments.
• ACOSS CEO Cassandra Goldie commented that while every dollar helps, the increase is insufficient to lift people out of poverty.
• Research showed that individuals relying on such payments are foregoing basic needs like food and heating.
• There are calls for the government to take more significant action to address the cost of living for those on the lowest incomes.

What are your thoughts on the Centrelink increase? Do you think it's enough support for those struggling with the rising cost of living? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.

 

[McNamara]

Service at Centrelink will not improve until the bureaucrats running it change their attitude . They all still treat recipients as welfare cheats. Age Pension, Disability and Carer Pension and Family Tax Benefit are not welfare.
Getting a claim processed is a nightmare and don't expect them to review a decision objectively or in a hurry.

 

[IAN3005]

Yes, it is even hard to afford basic living costs, never mind go out for dinner or anywhere that costs money. We paid taxes all our lives and get the dregs at the end of the barrel. So unfair.

You learn to suck it up..... I never leave the house except to do the grocery shopping or to see a Dr.....

 

[Clancieblue]

I am an aged pensioner and I pay more than half for a granny flat which doesn't have running water a bathroom or a kitchen. By the time I buy $50 per fortnight on food and pay a couple of bills I have no money left for 2 weeks. Why are we not getting a proper rise we built this country and we get nothing. It is so bad!!! We need a proper rise we are the forgotten!!!

Have you applied for rent assistance?

 

[Clancieblue]

I know this is not included in this increase, but I am on jobseeker I am 63 yrs old (so too young to get aged pension etc) and am renting privately and my rent is going up again by $25 a week in another 2 weeks. I pay now $400 a week which when I get my payments which are over $1000 I am left with just over $100 to pay for food, electricity, phone/internet and of course fuel in my car. I cannot work due to medical issues. I rely on my son to help me out as he lives with me (due to the rental crisis here in WA) and he is in between jobs so he has to survive on his payments from Centrelink after paying me close to half his payments, I rejoiced last year when I got the increase but then the increases in everything happened.
I am not complaining but the one thing that jerks my chain is when the so called powers to be act like they know what it is like to struggle when they jet off somewhere for some conference or summit. Even when I was working in a low paying job it was still hard but then my rent was alot cheaper and the cost of living was not horrific as it is now.
I feel for all the people who struggle more than I do, the ones who cannot find suitable accommodation, who have to live in their cars, have to live in tents and hope that no one reports them.
The government needs to get with the plan and sort something out before it gets too late.

If you are unable to work due to medical issues ,speak to your doctor about a disability pension.

 

[mylittletibbies]

You will find it is not Jobseeker it is Youth Allowance that is the difference. I am on Jobseeker and I got the increase last year. Youth Allowance is for under 25, so those on YA and carer and Disability Support payments get it. Either way in my opinion they should have increased it to those who need it the most and look more into people's circumstances. My Mum who is an aged pensioner who is in my opinion very lucky, she owns her own home she is a widow since my Dad passed away in 2008, she manages quite well and at times helps me out with food shopping and fuel as most of my money goes on rent as I rent privately (which takes up all but $100 of my payments). I also take care of her but do not get carers allowance as my Mum helps me out financially when I need it due to not being able to work due to medical conditions.
But I think the government should look into how to improve the payments.

It should make no difference if your mother helps you out or not. If you are her carer then you should receive carer allowance.
I see you are on Jobseeker so this is more likely the reason. You need to be providing a certain amount of care to qualify. If you are on Jobseeker, that means you are looking for work, and therefore if and when you get a job, you would probably not be available for the required number of hours.
How much care does your mother need. The carer "payment" is the same amount as the age pension and if you qualify for that, you also receive the carer "allowance"as well.
The carer payment however is much harder to get and your mother would have to need very high care needs.
If you cannot work due to medical reasons you may qualify for Disability, but that would be a Catch 22 situation I would think, as they would probably consider that you then would not be well enough to be your mother's carer.
If your own medical condition is long term you may qualify for sickness benefit which I believe is more than Jobseeker.
You need to speak to somebody at Centrelink office (not by phone) to see if there is some way to improve your situation.
Do you get rent assistance? Could you perhaps live with your mother (not always a viable solution).

 

[windyweather]

As the cost of living continuously rises, any increase in Centrelink payments is typically welcomed.

The Australian government has recently announced a six per cent increase in Centrelink payments, which will affect almost one million recipients.

Despite the increase, there's a growing consensus that this measure is simply not enough to make a significant difference in the lives of those who need it most.

Cassandra Goldie, CEO of the Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS), has been vocal about the inadequacy of the current increase.

View attachment 38442

The increase in Centrelink payments is not enough for many Aussies. Image source: Shutterstock.

In an interview, she acknowledged that while every extra dollar helps, it ‘does not get these key payments to the level that will lift people out of poverty'.

ACOSS's research towards the end of last year painted a grim picture of the struggles faced by those relying on Centrelink payments.

'Our cost of living research…showed people relying on these kinds of payments were going without food; they were going without heating and cooling,' Ms Goldie shared.

'We want to see action,' she added.

'We do want the government to go much further with its approach to tackling [the] cost of living [crisis], particularly for people on the very lowest incomes.'

This comes after news that those on the Age Pension, Disability Support Pension, and Carer Payments will receive a much-needed increase in their payments starting from the 20th of September, 2023.

Under this initiative, each single pensioner would see an increase of $32.70 per fortnight, while couples will get an increase of $49.40 ($24.70 each). You can read more about this here.

Adding to these cost of living relief initiatives, around 782,000 people on JobSeeker saw a $40 increase in payment each fortnight, while 222,000 Australians on Youth Allowance and about 64,000 families on Partnered Parenting also saw an increase in payments.

This additional relief is estimated to cost the government $4.7 billion.

While the increase seemed substantial, experts said that the current system still leaves pensioners lagging behind inflation.

National Seniors Australia Chief Advocate Ian Henschke stated: 'More can be done to support older people doing it tough, as recent National Seniors research showed a greater proportion of people with low incomes and those who are renting are suffering from cost-of-living pressures.’

'What we need is additional targeted support for people with limited means.'

'We will continue to fight for a system that improves people's lives.'

Key Takeaways

• Almost one million Centrelink recipients will receive a six per cent increase in their payments.
• ACOSS CEO Cassandra Goldie commented that while every dollar helps, the increase is insufficient to lift people out of poverty.
• Research showed that individuals relying on such payments are foregoing basic needs like food and heating.
• There are calls for the government to take more significant action to address the cost of living for those on the lowest incomes.

What are your thoughts on the Centrelink increase? Do you think it's enough support for those struggling with the rising cost of living? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.

 

[windyweather]

SDC are you up to date, -are we getting an increase or are you still talking about the one back in september?
in any case any rise we do get is always way behind and not practicle enough to catch up ,let alone keep up.
IF our politicians were truly trustworthy and reliable this would not be a problem.

 

[Littleboy8]

SDC are you up to date, -are we getting an increase or are you still talking about the one back in september?
in any case any rise we do get is always way behind and not practicle enough to catch up ,let alone keep up.
IF our politicians were truly trustworthy and reliable this would not be a problem.

I just reported today so I’ll get mine tomorrow I’m on jobseeker. An extra $35.64c a fortnight at least it nearly pays for the latest rent increase I just got.

 

[mylittletibbies]

SDC are you up to date, -are we getting an increase or are you still talking about the one back in september?
in any case any rise we do get is always way behind and not practicle enough to catch up ,let alone keep up.
IF our politicians were truly trustworthy and reliable this would not be a problem.

This 6% increase is not for age pension, our next rise is in March.

 

[mylittletibbies]

I just reported today so I’ll get mine tomorrow I’m on jobseeker. At least extra $40 bucks pays for the latest rent increase I just got.

I don't think this increase is for
Jobseeker, that increase was not so long ago.
This is for Youth Allowance, Disability under 21, Carer Allowance
etc

 

[Clancieblue]

https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=e079494b5592e946JmltdHM9MTcwNDE1MzYwMCZpZ3VpZD0wNDYwMjQ5Ni1lY2UwLTYzODItMmMwNS0yODEwZWQ2OTYyZmImaW5zaWQ9NTE5MQ&ptn=3&ver=2&hsh=3&fclid=04602496-ece0-6382-2c05-2810ed6962fb&psq=centerlinl+payment+increases+jan+2024&u=a1aHR0cHM6Ly9hdS5maW5hbmNlLnlhaG9vLmNvbS9uZXdzL2NlbnRyZWxpbmstYWdlLXBlbnNpb24tbWVkaWNhcmUtYWxsLXRoZS1tYWpvci1jaGFuZ2VzLWNvbWluZy1pbi1qYW51YXJ5LTIwMjQtMjEwNDU5OTE5Lmh0bWw&ntb=1

Stop picking on one another ,and read the link

 

[kevinwoodtufftyke52@gmail]

It would be easy for the government to help those in need by taxing multinationals, miners and especially all religious organizations.

 

[Ernesta29]

As the cost of living continuously rises, any increase in Centrelink payments is typically welcomed.

The Australian government has recently announced a six per cent increase in Centrelink payments, which will affect almost one million recipients.

Despite the increase, there's a growing consensus that this measure is simply not enough to make a significant difference in the lives of those who need it most.

Cassandra Goldie, CEO of the Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS), has been vocal about the inadequacy of the current increase.

View attachment 38442

The increase in Centrelink payments is not enough for many Aussies. Image source: Shutterstock.

In an interview, she acknowledged that while every extra dollar helps, it ‘does not get these key payments to the level that will lift people out of poverty'.

ACOSS's research towards the end of last year painted a grim picture of the struggles faced by those relying on Centrelink payments.

'Our cost of living research…showed people relying on these kinds of payments were going without food; they were going without heating and cooling,' Ms Goldie shared.

'We want to see action,' she added.

'We do want the government to go much further with its approach to tackling [the] cost of living [crisis], particularly for people on the very lowest incomes.'

This comes after news that those on the Age Pension, Disability Support Pension, and Carer Payments will receive a much-needed increase in their payments starting from the 20th of September, 2023.

Under this initiative, each single pensioner would see an increase of $32.70 per fortnight, while couples will get an increase of $49.40 ($24.70 each). You can read more about this here.

Adding to these cost of living relief initiatives, around 782,000 people on JobSeeker saw a $40 increase in payment each fortnight, while 222,000 Australians on Youth Allowance and about 64,000 families on Partnered Parenting also saw an increase in payments.

This additional relief is estimated to cost the government $4.7 billion.

While the increase seemed substantial, experts said that the current system still leaves pensioners lagging behind inflation.

National Seniors Australia Chief Advocate Ian Henschke stated: 'More can be done to support older people doing it tough, as recent National Seniors research showed a greater proportion of people with low incomes and those who are renting are suffering from cost-of-living pressures.’

'What we need is additional targeted support for people with limited means.'

'We will continue to fight for a system that improves people's lives.'

Key Takeaways

• Almost one million Centrelink recipients will receive a six per cent increase in their payments.
• ACOSS CEO Cassandra Goldie commented that while every dollar helps, the increase is insufficient to lift people out of poverty.
• Research showed that individuals relying on such payments are foregoing basic needs like food and heating.
• There are calls for the government to take more significant action to address the cost of living for those on the lowest incomes.

What are your thoughts on the Centrelink increase? Do you think it's enough support for those struggling with the rising cost of living? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.

 

[IAN3005]

Have you applied for rent assistance?

I would report the landlord... the rental property should, by law, have the basic necessities like running hot and cold water in the bathroom.

 

[Littleboy8]

Have you applied for rent assistance?

How can you not have running water that’s ridiculous or a kitchen.so have you got a toilet or not.

 

[mylittletibbies]

It would be easy for the government to help those in need by taxing multinationals, miners and especially all religious organizations.

Especially those socalled religious organisation that are nothing more than cults for crackpots

 

[mylittletibbies]

I'm not sure that I'm the nitwit here, did you you read Clancieblue's link, it sets out clearly the payments being increased, nowhere does it mention Jobseeker.
Sorry Littleboy8 but I think you'll find you are not getting an increase and I'm not the nitwit.

 

[Littleboy8]

I'm not sure that I'm the nitwit here, did you you read Clancieblue's link, it sets out clearly the payments being increased, nowhere does it mention Jobseeker.
Sorry Littleboy8 but I think you'll find you are not getting an increase and I'm not the nitwit.

Funny Centrelink have confirmed it’s going into my bank tomorrow tit bit. $35.64 extra a fortnight.lucky me maybe they like me better than you.apparantely it’s got something to do with me turning 65 in July. So I didn’t argue with them I’ll take it.

 

[Littleboy8]

Funny Centrelink have confirmed it’s going into my bank tomorrow tit bit. $35.64 extra a fortnight.lucky me maybe they like me better than you.apparantely it’s got something to do with me turning 65 in July. So I didn’t argue with them I’ll take it.

Oh so a big raspberry to you titbitsubject closed for me bye bye.

 

[Clancieblue]

Funny Centrelink have confirmed it’s going into my bank tomorrow tit bit. $35.64 extra a fortnight.lucky me maybe they like me better than you.apparantely it’s got something to do with me turning 65 in July. So I didn’t argue with them I’ll take it.

Do you think it might be different states, not sure how that works or is it the same for all states?