Indexation boost coming for millions of Aussies receiving Centrelink payments
The twice-yearly indexation of Centrelink and Services Australia payments will result in about five million Aussies receiving a cash boost on March 20.
A range of payments will be increased to maintain their value against the rising cost of living.
JobSeeker, the Age Pension, the Disability Support Pension, Carer Payments and Rent Assistance will all get a boost — but exactly how much is yet to be confirmed.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.The indexation figures will be based on the Consumer Price Index, unless wage rates or the Pensioner and Beneficiary Living Cost Index are higher, in which case the relevant payments will be adjusted in line with those metrics instead.
Youth Allowance, Austudy, ABSTUDY, and the Carer Allowance will not be indexed in March — these payments are only indexed once a year, and already received their annual boost in January.
That January indexation was the last time the Department of Social Services indexed any payments, and the increases were blasted at the time for not going far enough.
ACOSS chief executive Cassandra Goldie said: “Routine indexation adjustments barely scratch the surface, and the current rates are completely out of step with the reality of living costs.
“As with JobSeeker and pensions, ACOSS wants Youth Allowance and Austudy indexed every six months.
“Young people are being forced to wait 12 months before they see an indexation increase in their payments, even when inflation hits record highs.
“By the time the slight boost arrives, they may no longer be eligible or still enrolled, effectively missing out on income that should have helped keep their heads above water during their studies.”
Goldie said the government’s “nominal” indexations “leave people behind” and urged “a real increase to ensure a liveable base rate”.
The last bi-annual indexation, applied to JobSeeker, the Age Pension, the Disability Support Pension, Carer Payments and Rent Assistance, was in September last year.
Increases between $15.30 and $135 per fortnight were introduced, depending on each recipient’s payments and circumstances.
Budget measures at the time applied the indexation for Rent Assistance on top of a 10 per cent increase applied on the same day.
The exact figures for the March 20 indexation are expected to be released in early March.
Originally published on 7NEWS
