More cost of living support for millions of Australians

Australian households are getting another budget boost with the next round of household assistance payments arriving in bank accounts from today.

About 1.7 million families and about 370,000 young people and students will start receiving extra money through Labor’s Household Assistance Package, to help with everyday expenses and to meet the modest impact of the carbon price.

Families receiving Family Tax Benefit Part A will start receiving their fortnightly Clean Energy Supplement, worth up to $113 a year per child.

Families receiving Family Tax Benefit Part B will also start receiving a fortnightly Clean Energy Supplement, worth up to $69 a year.

After the Clean Energy Supplement and regular indexation increases, the total maximum rates of Family Tax Benefit Part A will increase by:

• $153.30 a year per child under 13, to $5,303.45 a year;
• $200.75 a year per child aged between 13 and 15, to $6,679.50 a year; and
• $200.75 a year per child aged between 16 and 19 attending school, to $6,679.50 a year.

The rate of Family Tax Benefit Part B will increase by:

• $124.10 a year where the youngest child is aged under five, to $4,241.30 a year; and
• $91.25 a year where the youngest child is aged between five and 18, to $3,069.65 a year.

Also this week, eligible students and young people in training will begin receiving their second lump sum Clean Energy Advance payment, worth up to $130, before receiving their regular Clean Energy Supplement from January 2014.

Federal Labor is delivering extra support under the Household Assistance Package to families, pensioners, self-funded retirees, students and jobseekers because we understand many Australians are feeling the pinch.

Tony Abbott and the Opposition don’t understand the cost of living pressures that many households face. That’s why they voted against the Household Assistance Package and against this extra support for millions of Australians.

Only Labor will keep delivering for low and middle income Australians.

Certain pension thresholds and income and asset test free areas will also be increased in line with indexation from today, meaning more than 1.2 million part pensioners will be able to earn more income or own more assets before their pension is reduced.

Full details of all Household Assistance Package payments can be found at: www.humanservices.gov.au

Full details of all rates and thresholds to be indexed from today can be found at: http://www.fahcsia.gov.au/about-fahcsia/benefits-payments/indexation-rates-july-2013