As the cost of living continues to soar, millions of Australians who rely on Centrelink payments are facing an uphill battle to make ends meet.

A recent announcement may see a boost in payments, yet many recipients think that this is not enough to get by.

Starting Friday, 20 September, regular indexation will see a payment increase for over five million Aussies, including those receiving JobSeeker and the Age Pension payouts.

Single Age Pension recipients should receive an additional $28.10 for single recipients or $42.40 for couples per fortnight.

This increase could bring total payments up to $1,047.10 for singles and $1,725.20 in total for couples.

Parenting Payment Single base will go up by $19.80 per fortnight, while the Parenting Payment Couple will increase by $14.

According to the government, this increase could provide 'timely cost-of-living relief'.

The increase in payments aimed to alleviate cost-of-living concerns among Australians. Image Credit: Shutterstock/Nils Versemann

However, the Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS) and numerous recipients say otherwise.

'Although the increase per fortnight is certainly appreciated, it is still nowhere near enough to live off in these tough times,' one JobSeeker recipient said.

With rental prices skyrocketing and the general cost of living on the rise, the extra money is seen as a drop in the ocean.

'The Government still doesn't realise how far this money goes when you have rent to pay,' they added.

Another JobSeeker recipient shared her struggle to cover rent, utility bills, and the rising cost of groceries and fuel.

She stated that she could go 'broke' on the same day she received her payment.

According to PropTrack data, the nationwide rent average stayed steady at $600 per week, marking a 9.1 per cent annual increase.

'ACOSS welcomes investment in social security, but the core issue remains: JobSeeker, Youth Allowance, and related payments remain below all measures of adequacy,' ACOSS stated.

The welfare body also called for a raise in pension payments to at least $80 a day to effectively 'cover the basics'.

The organisation also pointed out that less than half of JobSeeker recipients get Rent Assistance.

Despite the upcoming ten per cent increase in Commonwealth Rental Assistance, most will still be in housing stress due to low JobSeeker and Youth Allowance payments.

Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth stated that the government has been 'firmly committed' to assisting Australians facing cost-of-living challenges.

'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,' Minister Rishworth said.

'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.'

Yet, the question remains whether these measures are sufficient to support the vulnerable populations who are struggling to afford necessities.

The increases may be a step in the right direction, but the conversation around social security and the cost of living needs to continue.

Key Takeaways

• Over five million Australians should see an increase in their Centrelink payments from starting 20 September, despite being criticised as insufficient.
• JobSeeker and the Age Pension recipients could receive modest increases for their payments, which do not cover necessities.
• ACOSS declared that the social support payment rates are not enough and called to raise them to at least $80 per day.
• Alongside the payment increases, the maximum rate of Commonwealth Rental Assistance will rise by ten per cent, albeit fewer people only get Rent Assistance.

What do you think of the upcoming payment increase? Are they enough to help you manage your expenses? Share your opinions with us in the comments section below.

 

[Gabriella Pettit]

I don’t believe it’s enough when everything else is going up at a faster rate this government have destroyed our country they need to be voted out ASAP.

 

[siameezer]

I don’t believe it’s enough when everything else is going up at a faster rate this government have destroyed our country they need to be voted out ASAP.

What a load of unmitigated hogwash!!! Do you really want Dutton in as he will do nothing for pensioners except force us all onto the Cashless Debit Card ... and YES that IS his intention.

 

[Bill Schulz]

You lucky you still got your wife ., hate to see you complaining , I lost my husband to COVID caught in hospital I would give back the carer pension any day. To have him here

Who said I was complaining. I'm just stating facts. Or would you prefer me to be in your situation with on partner at all. I'm sorry but I hope that won't happen in the near future. I presume when your husband was alive you were getting a carer pension?? Did you then thing you were going to lose your husband because of covid.???????? And did you then think of stopping the carer pension, "No" So don't say that I'm complaining because my wife is still alive.

 

[Bill Schulz]

I'll try and get things into perspective here. As most of you know our pension is worked out by the Federal Government and controlled by politicians on high salaries.
What is the federal parliamentary salary you ask?
The base salary for MPs will increase by about $8000, bringing the minimum pay of a backbencher to $233,660 per year.19 June 2024
That works out at about $4,494 per week. This is not including their allowances. Like, travel, living away, food, car allowance. And on top of that a very nice supper for live.
And for that money -
How many days does Australian Federal Parliament sit?
Ministers and Members have full roles outside sitting times and the business of Parliament does usually not require more than 50-60 sitting days each year. Annual sittings are divided into two sessions - the Budget Session (from February to early July) and the Spring Session (from September to December).
So do you really think this government (or any other government) really cares about the true cost of living or the pensioner. Politicians only care about their bottom dollar and their own personal interests.

And for pensioners -
A single pensioner gets $572.20 per week without allowances. A couple gets $862.60 per week, or $4313.30 each per week without allowances. And they do care about where the next dollar is coming from. And how they are going to survive from one pension fortnight to the next. And pray that Centrelink does not stuff things up in the meantime.

 

[Lelly]

I feel for you Lelly the Government doesn’t treat its veterans any better than its age pensioners. I’m a war widow, living in private rentals, my lease runs out in January I probably will be offered a new lease but at an increased rent. So I’m stressed now as to if I will be able to afford it. There are no rentals in the area that are affordable and at 77 they don’t want to rent to us anyway no matter how good a tenant you have been. I’m in this area because my family are all here. I know they wouldn’t see me on street but the last thing I want is to give up my independence.

I’m so sorry for you June and I understand exactly. I also live here because I’m close to family and they wouldn’t see me on the street either but it’s such a struggle and it takes your peace away. I hope it won’t be to many years wait until I can get a legacy unit. Do you have Legacy accommodation in your area because as a war widow you definitely qualify and you deserve to have the opportunity for one. I wish you well June and hope January goes well for you

 

[Ezzy]

In this wonderful country we should be very thankful for what we receive as well as so many other benefits like PBS and some Dental Care. Remember we are adults and as adults we should have looked to the future to ensure that we could survive older age

Not always possible to plan for the future if you are unemployed, on sickness benefits or disabled.

 

[VM53]

I believe it’s going up $20.oo a fortnight just in time for my yearly rent rise of $50.00 a fortnight at the end of November. Better than nothing right.

Haha yes, that about sums up the help we get!

 

[VM53]

Yes, when the rent increase is $36 per fortnight and not all get the rent allowance, so a 10% increase for those that do won't go very far because most agents will raise rents by more.

That’s what I get upset about. The rents go up once or twice a year, but the rent assistance (for those who struggle) hasn’t been changed for years.

 

[VM53]

Not always possible to plan for the future if you are unemployed, on sickness benefits or disabled.

Agree Ezzy, not always possible for different people’s situations. Definitely was not possible for me.

 

[VM53]

Agreed. I'm on a DSP + rent assistance and nowhere near enough to pay rent of $425 week, plus food, electricity, gas, car rego, car maintenance, household insurance, comprehensive insurance, health insurance, petrol, medical, health, dental expenses, etc, etc, etc. I'm chewing into my minimal superannuation to keep me afloat for the next 3 years by which time I don't want to know where I'll be financially.

I feel for you and you have summed it up well for many of us.

 

[VM53]

My Darling husband passed away last October and immediately I am on Single pension.
I had nursed him for 23yrs with minimal help.and received a letter letting me know I wes in arrears after the next pension although they had made the mistake not me Now I receive less than $700 per fortnight . It's so hard and I don't understand

Sorry for your loss, and now more hardship for what the Govt has thrown at you.

 

[Mr Chips]

some people should be lucky they get public housing, it is a percentage of your pension. A pension won't be available in 15 years.

Your statement regarding the pension not being available in 15 years distresses me somewhat, I will be 88 years old by then if I am still around. Could you please clarify the statement?

 

[Littleboy8]

Your statement regarding the pension not being available in 15 years distresses me somewhat, I will be 88 years old by then if I am still around. Could you please clarify the statement?

I presume they mean it won’t be available for the next generation so don’t worry I reckon we’ll be safe, if like you say we’re still around so don’t stress over it.

 

[melnugro]

Last year I read the "fat cats" in the public service, here in WA,.received a
$50,000 a year pay rise on top of their already more than generous salaries.
Almost $1,000 a week rise and we are handed a $28.10/fortnight pittance.
When is all this rorting by people in high places going to stop.
It doesn't matter which party we vote for the pensioners always get shafted.

TOOSHAY

 

[Gabriella Pettit]

What a load of unmitigated hogwash!!! Do you really want Dutton in as he will do nothing for pensioners except force us all onto the Cashless Debit Card ... and YES that IS his intention.

What a load of BS Albosleasy is feeling up Australia with migrants do you really think that's better I don't. his Gov gives millions of $$$ to other countries but only a little bit us?????

 

[siameezer]

What a load of BS Albosleasy is feeling up Australia with migrants do you really think that's better I don't. his Gov gives millions of $$$ to other countries but only a little bit us?????

LOL no point getting into a discussion with someone who is as politically ignorant as you and who just swallows the media garbage like a hungry waif would food! You are not worth discussing the situation with as you are not smart enough to realise what the media is feeding you is garbage ... I actually pity you.

 

[Mimo]

What pensioners receive fortnightly, should be paid weekly. how can one survive on a mere $ 500.00 weekly

 

[Littleboy8]

What pensioners receive fortnightly, should be paid weekly. how can one survive on a mere $ 500.00 weekly

Especially when your renting at $400.00 a week doesn’t leave much for food etc.

 

[Milica]

You are right there are many things you can do to help yourself,.but some people just can't either through disability,
whether physical or mental, lack of education, social isolation.
When current average rents in Perth are $1400/fortnight that takes up the pension plus the rent assistance.
A small vegie garden, while useful, isn't going to help much and you need to have things you can swap or barter. Some people just don't.
Not everybody's situation is the same.
I am lucky I own my home and I don't have to rely solely on the pension.
Other people are not so lucky either through misfortune or many through their own stupidity of not thinking when young to plan for their old age and buy their own home. Spent their money or alcohol, cigs, drugs,gambling whatever.
Nonetheless the situation is still the same and the pension is nowhere near enough for people to survive on.

You are correct in saying not everyones situation is the same. And that you are lucky to own your own home - that makes a big difference when a person is solely on an age pension. But then you go on to mention the stupidity of other pple who did not think when young to plan for old age, & add to that you assume they spent their money on alcohol, cigs, drugs, gambling - when you don't even know the life stories of the many pple that are at seniors age now that do not have their own homes - i being one of them and it certainly was not due to the above of using my monies on any of those items you mentioned - the pension is not enough for pple to survive on, especially if this is the only income received - no savings, no super. I am still grateful to have a roof over the head, food on the table, healthcare and be living in the best country! Lets hope things improve for everyone.

 

[mylittletibbies]

You are correct in saying not everyones situation is the same. And that you are lucky to own your own home - that makes a big difference when a person is solely on an age pension. But then you go on to mention the stupidity of other pple who did not think when young to plan for old age, & add to that you assume they spent their money on alcohol, cigs, drugs, gambling - when you don't even know the life stories of the many pple that are at seniors age now that do not have their own homes - i being one of them and it certainly was not due to the above of using my monies on any of those items you mentioned - the pension is not enough for pple to survive on, especially if this is the only income received - no savings, no super. I am still grateful to have a roof over the head, food on the table, healthcare and be living in the best country! Lets hope things improve for everyone.

I did not state that all people spent their money on drugs alcohol etc but we all know many did. I know people in my own family who did just that and now feel the world owes them a living and accept no responsibility for the situation they find themselves in.
And I do think I also said that many people find themselves in
this situation through misfortune or no fault of their own
I also had friends who always rented their whole life and felt no need to save for their own home and preferred to spend their money on overseas travel.
Everybody has a different story, I don't begrudge them their travels but they definitely begrudge me my own home, they even insinuated "it's not fair". , we just made different choices, there's nothing unfair about it