All pensioners over Age Pension age are eligible for the Work Bonus. This includes: Age Pension, Carer Payment and Disability Support Pension recipients. Department of Veterans' Affairs Service Pensioners and Income Support Supplement recipients over qualifying age are also eligible.
Eligible pensioners have had $4,000 credited to their Work Bonus balance since 1 December 2022, increasing the maximum Work Bonus balance from $7,800 to $11,800. This measure extends the increase to 31 December 2023.
From 1 December 2022 to 31 December 2023, your maximum Work Bonus balance limit increases from $7,800 to $11,800. This will reset to $7,800 on 1 January 2024. You'll also get a one-off increase of $4,000 to your Work Bonus balance during this period. Work Bonus is not money you can draw on to use for other things.
The payment rates for Age Pension, Carer Payment and Disability Support Pension are increasing from 20 March 2023. Age Pension, Carer Payment and Disability Support Pension will increase by $37.50 a fortnight for singles and $56.40 a fortnight for couples combined.
On 1 December 2022, a one-off $4,000 income credit was added to the Work Bonus income bank of those at least pension age and in receipt of an Age Pension, Disability Support Pension, Carer Payment or certain Veterans entitlement. Prior to 1 December 2022, the Work Bonus income bank was capped at $7,800.
If you're a pensioner currently receiving support through Centrelink, you may be eligible for extra help with bills and medicine costs through the Pension Supplement. This supplement is a combined payment of Pharmaceutical Allowance, Utilities Allowance, GST Supplement and Telephone Allowance.
The Government has provided two separate $750 payments to social security, veteran and other income support recipients and eligible concession card holders. Around half of those that benefit are pensioners. These payments will support households to manage the economic impact of the Coronavirus.
Aussies who compare energy providers will receive a one-off $250 payment, as part of a new NSW election promise. NSW households will receive a $250 cost-of-living payment for comparing energy providers, if the Coalition is re-elected in March.
You can get the Work Bonus if both of these apply to you. You: are Age Pension age and over. get Age Pension, Carer Payment or Disability Support Pension.
The Order is currently linked to the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) and is based on CPI as at the previous September. CPI at September 2022 was 10.1% which means that your pension will increase by 10.1% from 10 April 2023.
On 1 February 2022, the Federal Government announced aged care workers would be eligible to receive a bonus payment of up to $800.
The Carer Supplement is an annual payment of $600 which is attached to each Carer Allowance. The Supplement is paid in July each year.
The measures announced in the Budget 2023-24 will help us deliver better services to you. They include boosting our service delivery capability to respond to natural disasters. We'll provide dedicated and trained staff on the ground quickly to support communities in need, where and when they need them.
Latest Age Pension changes (from 20 March 2023)
From 20 March 2023 the maximum full Age Pension increases $37.50 per fortnight for a single person, and $28.20 per person per fortnight for a couple. Note: Annual amounts are approximate. The figures above include the pension and energy supplements.
Those on JobSeeker will receive an increase in their payments of $40 a fortnight from 20 September this year, while those over 55 on JobSeeker will receive an increase of $92.10 a fortnight, which is currently reserved for those over 60.
The Work Bonus income bank is useful for pensioners who wish to work, particularly those who undertake intermittent or occasional work. Note: from 1 December 2022 to 31 December 2023, a one-off, temporary credit of $4,000 applies to Work Bonus income bank balances.
Pensioners To Receive $4,000 Boost To Centrelink Payments Until December 2023.
You have $300 of Work Bonus available each fortnight, which can accrue up to the maximum amount. When your Work Bonus eligible income is less than $300 a fortnight, we'll reduce your income to zero.
The Australian Government will invest $1.5 billion to assist around 6 million Australians with higher cost of living pressures. A one-off $250 Cost of Living Payment will be paid to eligible recipients from the end of April 2022.
If you live in NSW, Queensland, South Australia or Tasmania, you can get $500 per eligible household. If you live in Victoria, you can get $250 per eligible household, plus a one off $250 direct payment through Victoria's 2023 Power Saving Bonus Payment.
One off payment principles
Employees of NSW Health Agencies (including Ministry of Health) under NSW Awards are eligible. Visiting Medical Officers are eligible. Certain employees of third schedule organisations are eligible.
Latest Age Pension rates (from 20 September 2022)
From 20 September 2022 the maximum full Age Pension increases $38.90 per fortnight for a single person, and $58.80 a fortnight for a couple.
Couples will get $22.50 per fortnight each, bumping the payment to $639.10. Indexation will bump assistance payments up by $5.60 a fortnight for singles without children, $6.58 for maximum rate recipients with one or two children and $7.42 for those with three or more children.