Millions of Aussies to receive cash boost as welfare payments rise
Millions of Australians who rely on welfare payments will receive a much needed cash boost as of Friday, thanks to an indexation boost.
Recipients of the age and disability pensions, rent assistance, carer payments, and JobSeeker payments will all receive the increase.
Age pensioners, as well as those on the disability pension and carer payments, will see an increase of $28.10 a fortnight for singles and $42.40 a fortnight for couples.
This boost will take the total payment per fortnight, including energy supplement, to $1114.40 for singles and $862.60 for each member of a couple.
Maximum rates of Commonwealth rent assistance will also be increased by 10 per cent from today, with indexation applied on top, as single recipients, with no children, renting on their own, and receiving the maximum rate will get an additional $23 per fortnight in rent assistance.
For families with one or two children, their payment will increase by $27.02 per fortnight.
Single JobSeeker recipients with an assessed partial capacity to work of zero to 14 hours per week will move to the higher rate of JobSeeker, receiving $849.50 a fortnight (including the energy supplement and pharmaceutical allowance).
"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," Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth said.
A full breakdown of the payment changes can be found here.
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