Financial relief is on the way for millions of Australians, with key government payments set for an increase.

While these adjustments aim to ease cost-of-living pressures, not everyone will see the same boost in their payments.

Here’s what’s driving the changes and what it means for those relying on support.

More than five million Australians received a boost to their Centrelink payments, benefiting job seekers, carers, and people with disabilities.
Pensions and payments were adjusted through indexation, with increases taking effect from 20 March.

This included the Age Pension, Disability Support Pension, Carer Payment, Commonwealth Rent Assistance, JobSeeker, and Parenting Payment.

Centrelink payments rise for millions of Australians. Image source: Pexel/Andrea Piacquadio

These payments were indexed twice a year—in March and September—to ensure their value kept pace with inflation and helped recipients manage rising living costs.

The increases were determined by the highest rate of inflation from a selection of measures.

These included the latest Consumer Price Index (CPI), changes in weekly wages, and the Pensioner and Beneficiary Living Cost Index for the Age Pension.

In September 2024, the Age Pension, Disability Support Pension, and Carer Payment increased by $28.10 per fortnight for singles.

This brought the maximum rate to $1,144.40.

Each member of a couple received an additional $21.20, bringing their total payment to $1,725.20.

Commonwealth Rent Assistance rose by 10 per cent, with singles without children receiving an extra $23 per fortnight, couples an additional $21.80, and families with children an extra $27.02.

JobSeeker payments increased by $15.30 for singles without children and $16.30 for those with children, while recipients with a partial capacity to work received a higher increase of $71.20.

Future increases in the Age Pension depended on wage growth and inflation.

The March adjustment was determined after the Australian Bureau of Statistics released its average weekly ordinary time earnings data for November on 20 February.

The 2.5 per cent increase in the Age Pension in September was based on a 3 per cent rise in average male earnings in the year to May.

It was also influenced by a 2 per cent increase in inflation during the March and June quarters.

Unemployment benefits rose by 2 per cent in September due to CPI increases in the March and June quarters.

However, moderating inflation meant that the March adjustment for JobSeeker would be significantly smaller.

With the CPI rising by just 0.2 per cent in both the September and December quarters, JobSeeker payments were set to increase by only 0.4 per cent.

This equated to $3.11, bringing the maximum fortnightly payment to $781.11 unless an alternative benchmark was used.

Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth previously stated that indexation adjustments were essential in helping Australians manage their expenses.

‘Indexation, together with our budget measures, means maximum rates of Commonwealth Rent Assistance will have increased by around 45 per cent since the Albanese Government was elected,’ she said in September.

‘This indexation will deliver timely boosts to people receiving allowance payments and pensions, ensuring that these vulnerable cohorts have more money in their pockets for everyday expenses.’

In a previous story, we explored how small changes could make a big impact on your financial future.

If you’re looking to maximise your benefits and avoid missing out on crucial opportunities, this information is vital.

Be sure to check out the full details on valuable retirement boosts here.

Don’t miss out on the latest Centrelink updates!

• Millions of Aussies affected: How latest Centrelink changes could impact your payments
• 'Get a job': Centrelink beneficiary garners mixed reactions from fellow Aussies
• Customers warned about 'life-changing' Centrelink payments circulating online
• Centrelink offers up to $6,548 assistance for Aussies tiding through hard times

Key Takeaways

• Over five million Australians saw an increase in Centrelink payments from 20 March, including JobSeeker, Age Pension, and Commonwealth Rent Assistance.
• Payments were indexed biannually based on CPI, wage changes, and the Pensioner and Beneficiary Living Cost Index.
• In September 2024, the Age Pension increased by $28.10 for singles, while JobSeeker rose by up to $71.20 for some recipients.
• Due to moderating inflation, JobSeeker’s March increase was smaller, rising by $3.11 to $781.11

With these changes to Centrelink payments, how do you think the adjustments will impact those relying on support? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!

 

[Jest]

be grateful.

 

[kevin2852]

I am a single Pensioner who lives in private rental. My rent exceeds my Old Age Pension as a single. I am 73 years old and so I must work. So I work but the maximum that Centrelink will allow me to work is 48 hours per fortnight at the minimum wage.
That pays my food, electricity, water and gas. Also, I must pay tax on my income AND ALSO pay tax at the full rate on my reduced pension. That reduces my take-home pay by an additional $178 per fortnight.
I allow that I will receive a small pension increase but, the tiny increase will disappear into a big black hole which is like the real-thing in that it's gravity will not even let light escape.
Something that must be mentioned is that a couple on a Pension is paid 1.6 times the standard OAP and whether or not it is obvious 2 people can live a lot more happily on 1.6 times the amount that a single is paid than a single can on a 1.0 times the OAP.

 

[Jest]

I am a single Pensioner who lives in private rental. My rent exceeds my Old Age Pension as a single. I am 73 years old and so I must work. So I work but the maximum that Centrelink will allow me to work is 48 hours per fortnight at the minimum wage.
That pays my food, electricity, water and gas. Also, I must pay tax on my income AND ALSO pay tax at the full rate on my reduced pension. That reduces my take-home pay by an additional $178 per fortnight.
I allow that I will receive a small pension increase but, the tiny increase will disappear into a big black hole which is like the real-thing in that it's gravity will not even let light escape.
Something that must be mentioned is that a couple on a Pension is paid 1.6 times the standard OAP and whether or not it is obvious 2 people can live a lot more happily on 1.6 times the amount that a single is paid than a single can on a 1.0 times the OAP.

you will have a choice come election time but something tells me you will not choose wisely.

 

[mitchellowe]

you will have a choice come election time but something tells me you will not choose wisely.

the wisest vote is for a no confidence vote on all politicians