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Huge Centrelink boost confirmed for millions

JobSeeker payments will increase by $56 per fortnight in September.

Tamika Seeto
·Finance Reporter
Updated ·2-min read
Centrelink and money.
Aussies receiving these Centrelink payments will receive a boost from September 20. (Source: Getty)

More than a million Aussies receiving Centrelink payments will enjoy a welcome cash boost, after legislation passed the senate today.

From September 20, the JobSeeker rate will increase by $56 per fortnight. This is made up of a $40-per-fortnight increase announced in the federal budget, plus a $16-per-fortnight increase as part of regular indexation.

Older Aussies on JobSeeker will see a bigger increase, with the government lowering the age threshold - from 60 to 55 - to receive the higher rate for those who have received the payment for nine continuous months.

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After the changes, the new higher rate of JobSeeker payments will be $749.20 per fortnight, and $802.50 per fortnight for older Aussies aged 55 and over.

Other welfare payments, including Youth Allowance, Parenting Payment (Partnered), Austudy, ABSTUDY Living Allowance, Disability Support Pension (Youth) and Special Benefit will also increase by $40 per fortnight.

Commonwealth Rent Assistance maximum rates will increase by 15 per cent, with 1.1 million Aussie households set to benefit by $24 per fortnight, on average.

Single parents with children aged eight and above will also now be eligible for the higher Parenting Payment (Single), adding at least $176.90 per fortnight to the support they receive until their youngest child turns 14.

Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth said the changes would benefit close to 2 million Aussies.

“Jobseeker and other income-support payments are about helping those in our community who need it for a period of time,” Rishworth said.

“More broadly, it is important to remember these income-support changes work alongside other cost-of-living relief in the budget, including help with power bills, record investment in Medicare bulk-billing and cheaper medicines."

The final indexation rate for the single parenting payment and the pension are yet to be finalised. Youth Allowance and Austudy are only indexed once a year, on January 1.

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