Cash boost for millions as indexation kicks in for Centrelink Rent Assistance, JobSeeker and other Services Australia payments

Molly Magennis and Hayley Taylor
7NEWS
More than five million Australians will today receive a huge boost to their social security payments.

More than five million Australians are set to get a cash boost from Friday as Services Australia payments are indexed on top of additional increases to Rent Assistance payments.

The indexation will be applied to a range of pensions and payments including the Age Pension, Disability Support Pension and Carer Payments, Commonwealth Rent Assistance, JobSeeker, and Parenting Payments.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Major Centrelink boost from today.

Sign up to The Nightly's newsletters.

Get the first look at the digital newspaper, curated daily stories and breaking headlines delivered to your inbox.

Email Us
By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.

The indexation increases — up to $41.50 a fortnight — will vary based on the payments and will come into effect on Friday, September 20.

Changes to Rent Assistance and Jobseeker payments will come into effect on the same day, and indexation will be applied on top of those new rates.

Maximum rates of Commonwealth Rent Assistance will be increased by 10 per cent.

Single recipients receiving the maximum rate — who are renting on their own, with no children — will get an extra $23 per fortnight.

In families with one or two children, the Rent Assistance fortnightly payment will increase by $27.02.

Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth said the indexation increases coupled with its budget measures means Commonwealth Rent Assistance has risen by about 45 per cent since Labor was elected.

“This government recognises that many Australians continue to be directly affected by cost of living pressures,” she said.

“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.”

Australians on JobSeeker payments to benefit from indexation

JobSeeker recipients are also in line for a payment boost.

“Single JobSeeker Payment 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,” the Department of Social Services said.

For those recipients moving to a higher rate, the fortnightly payment will increase by $71.20.

But even JobSeeker recipients who are remaining on the lower rate will receive an indexation increase.

Single recipients without children will get a $15.30 boost to their payments, while single recipients with a child in their care will get a $19.80 boost.

Single age pensioners will see an increase of $28.10 to their fortnightly payments, and recipients in a couple will receive a combined $42.40 increase to their payments.

The same increase will apply to the Disability Support Pension and Carer Payment, taking the total per fortnight, including energy supplement, to $1114.40 for singles and $862.60 for each member of a couple.

Single recipients receiving a fortnightly Parenting Payment will also receive a $19.80 increase.

The complete list of payments increasing on Friday can be found on the Department of Social Services website.

Originally published on 7NEWS

Latest Edition

The front page of The Nightly for 04-10-2024

Latest Edition

Edition Edition 4 October 20244 October 2024

Revolting. Despicable. Disgusting. Why anniversary rallies must be banned.