Many people in Australia will get more money from Centrelink next week. The government updates these payments two times each year to match rising prices. Starting September 20 people who get support payments like JobSeeker Parenting Payment and the Age Pension will receive extra money every two weeks. This includes people on disability payments rent help and carer support too.
The Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek said this increase will help people pay for basic needs like food & medical care. The change makes sure people can handle the higher costs of living these days.
“We need to keep social security fair by updating it when the economy shifts. We want to help people who really need support and make sure everyone can pay their bills. No one should struggle alone.”
Centrelink September 20 increase: What payments are rising and by how much?
Age Pension And regular payment
People who get pension payments will now receive up to $1178.70 every two weeks. This is $29.70 more than before and includes both the Pension and Energy Supplements.
Couples who get pensions will each get up to $888.50 every two weeks. This means they will get $22.40 more than they used to get.
JobSeeker Rate
People who get JobSeeker and are single, over 22 and don’t have kids will now receive $793.60 every two weeks.
This is $12.50 more than before. If you get JobSeeker & have a partner, you’ll each get $726.50 every two weeks. This is an increase of $11.40.
ABSTUDY
Students who get ABSTUDY and are 22 years or older will receive more money. The payment is going up by $12.50 to reach $793.60 every two weeks. This applies to students who live with their parents or on their own. The new rate helps students cover their basic costs while studying.
Parenting Payment
Support Money for Parents Single parents will now get $1039.70 every two weeks. This is $16.20 more than before.
This amount includes extra money for energy costs. Parents with partners will receive $734.30 every two weeks. This is an increase of $11.40.
Youth Allowance
Single people will get $1,027.70 every two weeks instead of $1011.50. This means payments will go up by $16.20.
You can now earn up to $1,910.84 before losing this benefit. This is $27 more than before.
Commonwealth Rent Assistance
Single people will pay $215.40 after a small increase of $3.40.
Couples will now pay $203.00 every two weeks instead of $199.80. Check out all the new rates in the list below.
The head of COTA Australia Patricia Sparrow was happy about the pension increase. She said it was one of the largest increases in recent times.
Many people think all older Australians are rich but that’s not true. More than 25 percent of seniors are actually poor. The extra $29.70 every two weeks will really help those who are dealing with rising prices” she said.
Age Pension updates: Deeming rate cuts and other key changes explained
Pension payments are increasing & at the same time deeming rates will change for the first time since 2020.
The rates have stayed at 0.25% and 2.25% for the last few years because of rising prices & living costs.
The interest rates will go up to 0.75 & 2.75 percent on September 20. You can check how this affects you in our guide.
Pension rules are also changing. Single pensioners can now earn up to $2575.40 every two weeks and still get some pension money. This is $59.40 more than before. Couples can earn up to $3934 every two weeks which is $89.60 more than the old limit.
Interest rates are increasing on September 20. The new rates will be between 0.75 and 2.75 percent. You can learn more about what this means for you by reading our guide.
There are also new rules for pensions. If you’re a single pensioner you can now make up to 2575.40 dollars every two weeks and still receive pension payments.
This is an extra 59.40 dollars compared to the old amount. For couples the new limit is 3934 dollars every two weeks. This gives them 89.60 dollars more than they could earn before.
