Another huge cash boost for millions of Australians on Centrelink: here’s how much you’ll get
- Welfare benefits are increased
- JobSeeker rose to $733.10 every two weeks
- More than a million Australians benefit
An increase in social security of $40 every two weeks is a step closer for millions of Australians.
New laws that increase the rate of job seekers, along with other payments such as child support and disability pensions, were introduced in federal parliament on Thursday.
The changes were among the key features of the government’s most recent budget and were part of a $14.6 billion cost-of-living package.
The base rate of the JobSeeker payment is increased to $733.10 every two weeks as part of Anthony Albanese’s $14.6 billion cost of living.
Older Australians will receive the largest increase after the government lowered the age threshold for the higher number of job seekers.
The age is lowered from 60 to 55 for those who have received the benefit for nine consecutive months.
Those 55 and older will receive a raise of $92.10 every two weeks.
The base rate of the JobSeeker payment is increased to $733.10 every two weeks as part of Anthony Albanese’s $14.6 billion cost of living
New laws that will increase jobseeker, youth, Austudy and disability support pensions were introduced in federal parliament on Tuesday.
Single parents will also benefit, with the government lifting the payment threshold until the youngest child turns 14, instead of eight.
Nearly 60,000 single parents will receive an additional $176.90 every two weeks, with the changes taking effect in September.
“The new age limit of 14 years for the youngest child will provide more support until children have settled into secondary school and require less direct supervision from their parents,” said Social Affairs Minister Amanda Rishworth.
“One-principle caregivers face many barriers to employment and financial security because of the costs associated with caring for young dependent children.”
She said the much-needed boost would benefit more than a million lowest-income Australians.
“We know that cost-of-living pressures are disproportionately impacting those on the lowest incomes, so the government is providing targeted support to strengthen Australia’s social safety net,” said Ms Rishworth.
“These are responsible changes, carefully calibrated to strike a balance between providing additional support to those with the lowest income support, without increasing inflation.”
The opposition said they will not stand in the way of the welfare increase, but have proposed some changes before supporting the bill in parliament.
One of the changes includes increasing the amount a recipient can earn by working before losing their benefits.