Centrelink Payments Increase for 5.3 Million Australians From September

People are seen lining up at Centrelink in Bondi Junction in Sydney, Australia on March 23, 2020. Jenny Evans/Getty Images

More than 5.3 million Australians receiving Centrelink payments will see higher fortnightly rates from Sept. 20 under the latest indexation round.

The increases come as Commonwealth gross debt temporarily reached $1 trillion for the first time on Aug. 20.

Single Age pensioners will receive an extra $36.80 (US$26.22), taking their maximum payment to $1,237.70 a fortnight.

Couples will get a combined boost of $55.60, lifting the full rate to $1,866. The government says these pension rates are now 25 percent higher than when Labor took office.

JobSeeker, the main payment for the unemployed, will rise by $16.20 to $833.70 a fortnight for a single person.

Parenting Payment will jump by $20.90 to $1,087.20 for singles and by $14.80 to $763 each for partnered recipients. Commonwealth Rent assistance rates are also going up.

Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek said a further $4 billion in cost-of-living support would start reaching more than 5.3 million people from Sept. 20.

“Whether it’s paying the rent, putting food on the table, or covering everyday bills, this extra support will help Australians on income support make ends meet,” she said.

“We’ll continue to make sure the system is there to support those who need it most, ensuring that everyone can make ends meet and no one gets left behind.”

Anglicare Australia’s recent figures show a single person on the current JobSeeker rate is left $251 short each week after paying for rent, food, and transport.

“These figures show that Australia’s cost of living crisis is hitting people on the lowest incomes the hardest,” Anglicare Australia Executive Director Kasy Chambers said in June.

Opposition Wants Welfare Stripped for Non-Citizens

Opposition Leader Angus Taylor has not called for higher JobSeeker or pension rates. Instead, he is pushing to end welfare payments to non-citizens.

“Right now, we see welfare programmes and other programmes that are being handed out to non-citizens in this country, people who are not Australians,” Taylor told 2GB on Aug. 20.

“That’s got to stop, and I know the vast majority of Australians agree with that.”

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