The Australian government has announced the increase in Centrelink payments after the September indexation. The Centrelink payments increase was effective from 20 Sep 2024, hence, many beneficiaries must have seen the effect of the hiked payment in their payments at the end of September. However, some may still await the increase, let’s see when you can expect your payments.
Centrelink Payment Increase 2024
The Department of Social Service announced the September indexation on 01 Sep 2024, increasing some of the payments for the beneficiaries to provide enough financial support to the citizens. The officials indexed the social security rates multiple times a year to ensure the payments were on pace with inflation.
The September 2024 indexation has come into effect on 20 Sep 2024 and the increase must be reflected on beneficiaries’ payments by the end of September or beneficiaries receiving payment in October 2024. The increase didn’t need to be reflected on the first payment after the indexation as it may take time to process the change.
So, if you haven’t received the increased Centrelink payments, then worry not as you may receive the increased Centrelink payments in October 2024 depending on your payment schedule. With the indexation, many Centrelink payments are increased supporting pensioners, disabled people, youth, jobseekers, and many more.
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Which Centrelink Payments are Increased?
Under Centrelink Payments, the Australian government offers many government assistance and allowances to citizens based on their circumstances and conditions. With the latest 2024 indexation, the Department of Social Services has increased the various benefits payments that Australians should check out to know if the benefits they receive are hiked or not.
So, the Centrelink payments that are increased after the Sep 2024 indexation are:
- Age Pension
- JobSeeker Allowances
- Youth Allowances
- ABSTUDY
- Carer Payment
- Disability Support Pension
- Parenting Payments
- Rent Assistance
- Miscellaneous allowances, such as Utilities Allowances, Telephone allowances, and others.
With payment increase, the Social Security Department has also increased the income limit for some payments, which will make more Australians eligible for the Centrelink payments.
How much the Centrelink payments are hiked after the indexation?
The Australians can see the following hike in Centrelink payments based on the indexed social security rates:
- The age pensioners can see a hike of $28.10 in their fortnight payments for individuals making biweekly payments up to $1,144 with energy supplements, supplements, and base, whereas each partner can see a hike of $21.20 (combined ($42.40), making total payment $862.60. The increase for Disability Support pension and carer payment is the same as Adult pension rates.
- The parenting payment rates for Single parents are increased by $19.80 making the total payment up to $1019.50, whereas the partnered parents can see a hike of $14.00 making the regular payment up to $720.20.
- The rent assistance payment has increased for singles and partnered couples separated due to illnesses by $23.00 for singles and sharers by $15.33 and for couples and temporarily separated partners by $21.80.
- The jobseeker payment for individuals with no children has increased by $15.30 increasing the total payment up to $778, for singles with children. Age 55 or over by $16.30 (total payment $833.20), for partnered by $14 (total payment hiked to $712.30), and single but principal carer of a child by $19.80 (total payment hiked to $1007.50).
- The ABSTUDY standard payment supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students has increased by $15.30 totaling the payment up to $778. The beneficiaries can check the September 2024 Indexation rates PDF to know about an increase in living allowances based on family situation.
- The Youth Allowances has hiked for individual principal carers of a child to $19.80 totaling the regular amount of $1007.50.
Do you need to apply for the increased Centrelink payments?
The beneficiaries of the increased Centrelink payments do not need to do anything to receive these payments as according to their family situation and eligibility, the increased payment will be disbursed to your accounts automatically.
However, if there is some change in your family situation or income, you should report the change just after it happened to the authorities to ensure you receive the appropriate payments on the scheduled day.
Impact of Increased Centrelink Payments 2024
The Australian government regularly adjusts the social security rates to ensure citizens are living a comfortable life coping with the increasing cost of living. According to reports millions of Australians receive Centrelink payments reducing their financial burden. Many Australians depend on Centrelink payments. So, the increase in the payments will impact people in many ways:
- Reduces financial stress: Living in Australia is costly though average Australians have a high income. Still, the daily necessities, utilities, and other costs can increase stress among certain people, such as retirees, students, single parents, carers, disabled people, and people with serious health conditions. With the increase in the payments, the possibility of financial stress among the people will lower.
- More people will be eligible for the payments: With the increase in income limit for some payments more Australians will come under the line to receive financial support from the government.
- Additional Support: The Australians will receive an increase in additional support as well like utilities allowances, energy supplements, and many more.
The Australian government has increased Centrelink payments based on the Consumer Per Index and PBLCI for the beneficiaries. The recipients who have not seen an increase in their payment yet may see a hike in October payments.