Centrelink cash boost coming for millions of Aussies in weeks

Centrelink recipients will see a small lift in their payments in a few weeks. The payments will go through their quarterly indexation to make sure they're keeping up with inflation and this will affect around 2.4 million Aussies.

But many have told Yahoo Finance they are constantly stuck in a loop where their bills or essentials rise in price not long after their Centrelink payments go up. Paul said it's a never-ending cycle where they don't actually end up better off.

"I'm currently receiving the disability pension and it's true, every time we get an increase in the pension, before we even receive it, housing sends you a letter stating rent will be increased by $15 per fortnight but it gets better too then they state your water usage is also increasing by $7," he explained to Yahoo Finance.

Centrelink sign next to person holding Australian money
Centrelink recipients will see an increase in their payments, income thresholds or asset limits from July 1. (Source: AAP/Facebook)

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The quarterly indexation changes are tied to the Consumer Price Index (CPI), which recently went up higher than expected.

The most recent figures showed inflation had risen by 3.6 per cent in the 12 months to the March 2024 quarter, with the biggest increases in tertiary and secondary education (6.5 per cent and 6.1 per cent respectively), medical and hospital services (2.3 per cent), and rents (2.1 per cent).

Some Centrelink payments will be indexed on July 1 and the following payments have been earmarked to be boosted to keep pace with inflation:

  • Family Tax Benefit (both Parts A and B)

  • The Multiple Birth Allowance

  • Newborn Supplement

  • Stillborn Baby Payment

  • Essential Medical Equipment Payment

For parents on the Family Tax Benefit Part A, their maximum fortnightly payments will go up by $8.68 to $222.04 if their children are under 13.

If they're over 13, then the maximum payment will rise by $11.34 to $288.82.

For families receiving Family Tax Benefit Part B, the maximum rate of payment for a family with the youngest child under five will increase by $7.42 to $188.86 a fortnight. For families with the youngest child aged five or over, the increase will be $5.18 to a maximum of $131.74 a fortnight.

The end of year supplements for Family Tax Benefit Part A and Family Tax Benefit Part B will increase by $36.50 to $916.15 and $18.25 to $448.95 respectively.

The full list of payment changes can be found here.

Asset limits and income thresholds will also change

Those who aren't on the payments mentioned above will still get some relief when indexation kicks in next month.

Income eligibility requirements will be expanded for people on the Parenting Payment Single, the Age Pension, Disability Support Pension, and Carer Payment.