Indexation of Centrelink payments takes place twice a year – in March and September - in a bid to ensure payments maintain their value over time.
More than five million Australians will benefit from the increases across a range of government pensions and benefits including:
- Age pension
- Carer pension
- Parenting payment
- Jobseeker payment
- Rent assistance
How much will the age pension increase by?
For a single pensioner, the payment increases by $28.10 a fortnight, taking the maximum rate to $1,144.40 a fortnight.
Couples will receive an extra $21.20 a fortnight, with the payment $862.60 each per fortnight – or a total of $1,725.20.
How much will the disability support pension increase by?
The same increase applies to the Disability Support Pension and carer payment.
The total per fortnight will also be $1,144.40 per fortnight for singles and $862.60 for each person in a couple – a total of $1,725.20.
These figures include the government energy supplement.
How much will JobSeeker increase by?
The JobSeeker payment will increase by $15.30 for singles aged over 22 with no children.
This will take the payment to $778 per fortnight.
For singles aged over 22 with children, JobSeeker will increase by $16.30 to a maximum fortnightly payment of $833.20.
For those assessed as having a partial capacity to work less than 15 hours a week, their payments will increase $71.20 a fortnight to $833.20.
That will be the same new maximum payment for singles, those aged 55 and over, and those receiving an income support payment after nine continuous months.
Those exempt from mutual obligation payments because of foster caring, home schooling, distance education, or large family commitments will now receive a maximum fortnightly payment of $1,007.50.
How much will rent assistance increase by?
From 20 September, maximum rates of Commonwealth Rent Assistance will increase by 10%.
It will increase $23 a fortnight for singles with no children renting on their own to $211.20.
For families with one or two children, their payments will increase by $27.02 per fortnight to $248.22.
The rate for singles or couples with three or more children will increase by $30.52 per fortnight to $280.42.
See also: What is rent assistance and who is eligible for it?
How much will parenting payments increase by?
Single parents will see their fortnightly payments increase by $19.80 to $1,019.50 a fortnight (including government pharmaceutical and energy supplements).
As of July this year, eligibility for single parenting payments was extended to parents until their youngest child turns 14.
Partnered parents will receive an extra $14 to take the fortnightly payment to $720.20 (including energy supplement).
How much will youth allowance increase by?
Youth Allowance for people aged between 16-24 engaged in full-time study or an Australian Apprenticeship will increase $19.80 per fortnight to $1,007.50.
Youth Allowance also applies to people 21 or younger who are looking for work.
How does indexation work?
Indexation of government payments occurs twice a year linked to price indices, including the Consumer Price Index inflation measure, and wage measures.
Minister for Social Services Amanda Rishworth said the indexation will deliver a timely boost to people receiving allowance payments and pensions.
“The government recognises that many Australians continue to be directly affected by cost-of-living pressures,” Ms Rishworth said.
The complete list of payments being increased on Friday, including income and asset limits, can be found on the Department of Social Services website.
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