Youth, student and carer allowance rates rise from 1 January
Payments to about one million youth, students and carers will rise from 1 January 2018.
“The Government is acutely aware of the importance of ensuring welfare payments keep pace with rises in the cost of living,” Minister for Social Services, Christian Porter said.
“Payments and income and assets thresholds rise at various times of the year.
“People on Youth Allowance, whether as a student or jobseeker, Austudy, Carer Allowance and younger people on the Disability Support Pension, have their rates adjusted each year on the 1st January.
“Payments will rise in January 2018 in line with the Consumer Price Index of 1.9 per cent for the 12 months to June 2017.
As a result:
- Youth Allowance — students and young jobseekers will receive an increase of between $4.60 and $10.90 a fortnight.
- Austudy — student recipients will receive an increase of between $8.30 and $10.90 a fortnight.
- Carer Allowance — those providing daily care at home to someone with a disability will receive an increase of $2.40 a fortnight to $127.10 a fortnight.
- Disability Support Pension for those aged under 21 without dependent children — increases of between $7.00 and $10.70 a fortnight for single recipients, and $10.70 a fortnight for partnered recipients.
Rates of ABSTUDY, Assistance for Isolated Children, Mobility Allowance and Double Orphan Pension will also increase in line with the Consumer Price Index from 1 January 2018.
“These increases will help young people who are studying or searching for work and a range of other payment recipients to keep up with increases in costs as measured by the CPI,” the Minister said.
Full details of new rates and thresholds can be accessed at: https://www.dss.gov.au/about-the-department/benefits-payments