Australian Government Payments to Increase

Nearly 769,000 students, carers and youth disability pension recipients will receive increases in their payments from 1 January 2007.

Ministers for Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, Mal Brough, Education, Science and Training, Julie Bishop, and Employment and Workplace Relations, Kevin Andrews, all welcomed the increases which are keeping the payments in line with the Consumer Price Index.

“An increase in the CPI will mean a number of payments increase by four per cent,” Mr Brough said.

“Around 366,000 people with caring responsibilities will receive a $3.80 increase a fortnight in Carer Allowance, lifting the rate to $98.50 a fortnight.”

“Austudy payments will increase between $13.40 and $17.50 a fortnight, assisting almost 29,000 students, and some 274,000 students receiving Youth Allowance will get an increase of between $7.30 and $17.50 a fortnight,” Minister Julie Bishop said.

“Almost 76,000 young unemployed Australians receiving Youth Allowance will get increases of between $10.80 and $17.50 a fortnight and more than 21,000 single people under the age of 21 receiving the Disability Support Pension will get a fortnightly increase of between $11.10 and $16.60,” Minister Kevin Andrews said.

Personal income cut-offs for Youth Allowance and Austudy and the means-tested income and assets limits will also increase in line with CPI.

These increases ensure the payments keep pace with the cost of living, as measured by the CPI. Other payments such as Mobility Allowance, and the Double Orphan Pension will also increase on 1 January. The CPI increase of $5.20 a year for the Senior Concession Allowance will come into effect on 1 December 2006.

Full details of the rate increases are attached.

Summary of Changes – Allowances – Benefits

Summary of Changes – Allowances and Benefits