Carers, Youth and Students to get Increases
About 780,000 students, youth, carers and people with a disability are set to get allowance and payment increases ranging from $44.20 to $278.20 a year from
The Minister for Education, Science and Training, Brendan Nelson, the Minister for Family and Community Services, Senator Kay Patterson and the Minister for Workforce Participation, Peter Dutton, today jointly announced the rises in allowance and payments, which are linked to the Consumer Price Index.
Dr Nelson said more than 320,000 young Australian Students would receive an increase in payments.
“More than 290,000 students receiving Youth Allowance will get increases of between $4.50 and $10.70 a fortnight, depending on their family and living arrangements, while more than 32,000 students will get an Austudy increase ranging between $8.20 and $10.70 per fortnight,” Dr Nelson said.
“More than 340,000 people with caring responsibilities who receive Carer Allowance will be given a $2.30 increase a fortnight, lifting the basic rate to $94.70 a fortnight,” Senator Patterson said.
“More than 85,000 unemployed Youth Allowance recipients will receive increases of between $4.50 and $10.70 per fortnight and more than 21,000 people aged under 21 without children will receive increases of between $6.80 and $10.50 a fortnight in their Disability Support Pension,” Mr Dutton said.
“The Australian Government is pleased to be able to provide some additional support to unemployed and disabled youth and to help them maximise their potential through preparation for employment.”
Full details of 1 January 2006 rate increases are attached.