More than five million Australians are expected to be impacted by increases to several welfare payments, with JobSeeker, Rent Assistance, and the Aged Care pension among the payments impacted by the changed.
Most of the payments have been increased in line with indexation.
The Government said it means “more help for more Australians who need it most”. However, the Coalition has blamed pressures caused by high inflation on Labor’s economic management.
Here’s the latest.
Indexation
Welfare payments are typically increased yearly or twice per year to reflect rising prices (“inflation”). This is called indexation.
The latest monthly figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics show the annual rate of inflation is 4.1%.
While several payments went up on Friday, Youth Allowance has not been updated. This student payment is indexed annually, with its next increase due in January.
Swipe to see what has changed, and by how much.
Job Seeker
Fortnightly JobSeeker payments have increased by roughly 2%.
| Payment type | Old payment (fortnightly) | New payment | Increase |
| Single, no children | $762.70 | $778.00 | $15.30 |
| Single, with a dependent | $816.90 | $833.20 | $16.30 |
| Couple (per person) | $698.30 | $712.30 | $14.00 |
Rent assistance
In addition to indexation, rent assistance has been topped up by 10%, which the Government announced in this year’s Federal Budget.
| Payment type | Old payment (fortnightly) | New payment | Increase |
| Single, no children | $188.20 | $211.20 | $23.00 |
| Single, 1-2 children | $221.20 | $248.22 | $27.02 |
| Single, 3 or more children | $249.90 | $280.42 | $30.52 |
| Couple (combined) | $177.20 | $199.00 | $21.80 |
Aged pension
Aged pensions are payments for people over the age of 67.
| Payment type | Old payment (fortnightly) | New payment | Increase |
| Single, no children | $1,116.30 | $1,144.40 | $28.10 |
| Couple (per person) | $841.40 | $862.60 | $21.20 |
Government remarks
Other forms of income support also increased from today include Disability Support pensions, Carer and Parenting Payments.
In a joint statement, Treasurer Jim Chalmers and Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth said the Government recognises many Australians are “under the pump” in the current economic climate.
“We know there’s more to do in the fight against inflation and people are doing it tough,” they said.
Opposition
Shadow Treasurer Angus Taylor has continued to criticise the Government’s handling of the cost of living crisis.
Speaking to Sky News today, Taylor said: “Labor has trashed the economy.”
“We are absolutely at the wrong end of the curve compared to all other peer countries when it comes to beating inflation,” he said.
Greens
Greens Social Services spokesperson, Senator Penny Allman-Payne, said the lift in income support payments amounted to a “paltry” increase.
“The changes coming into effect today don’t bring JobSeeker anywhere close to the poverty line, let alone enough to live on.”
The Melbourne Institute estimates a family with two adults (one who works) and two dependents needs to earn $1194.62 a fortnight to avoid poverty.
