{"id":646326,"date":"2026-08-20T00:01:10","date_gmt":"2026-08-20T00:01:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/646326\/"},"modified":"2026-08-20T00:01:10","modified_gmt":"2026-08-20T00:01:10","slug":"4-billion-centrelink-cash-boost-coming-for-millions-of-aussies-on-age-pension-jobseeker-and-other-payments","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/646326\/","title":{"rendered":"$4 billion Centrelink cash boost coming for millions of Aussies on Age Pension, JobSeeker and other payments"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

More than 5 million Aussies on support payments will receive a much needed boost to the amount hitting their bank account<\/a> in the weeks ahead. <\/p>\n

From next month, another round of indexation to social security payments will deliver fortnightly increases to hand-outs, helping Centrelink recipients<\/a> deal with the creeping cost of living<\/a>. <\/p>\n

From September 20, Australians on Centrelink will benefit from an extra $4 billion in higher payments in a much needed cash boost for many. <\/p>\n

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“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,” Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek said. <\/p>\n

How much will Centrelink payments increase? <\/p>\n

For a single person on the Age Pension<\/strong>, it will mean an extra $36.80 per fortnight at the maximum rate, increasing the payment to $1,237.70.<\/strong> For a couple on the Age Pension, the increase will be $55.60 to provide $1,866<\/strong> per fortnight. <\/p>\n

With inflation stubbornly high, it’s the biggest pension indexation since March 2023. <\/p>\n

The Jobseeker<\/strong> payment, for someone without kids, will jump by $16.20 a fortnight to $833.70<\/strong>. For parents on the payment, they will see an extra $20.90 to $1,087.20<\/strong> and couples will be better off by $14.80 to $763<\/strong> each per fortnight. <\/p>\n

Rent Assistance<\/strong> will also be indexed higher, with a single person getting an extra $4.40 and couples an extra $4.20, taking the payment to $223.80<\/strong> and $211<\/strong>, respectively. <\/p>\n

Youth Allowance<\/strong> payments will rise by $20.90 to $1087.20<\/strong> per fortnight. <\/p>\n

Meanwhile the ABSTUDY<\/strong> payment for a single person will rise $16.20 to $833.70<\/strong> per fortnight. <\/p>\n

“From September 20, an extra $4 billion of cost of living relief will begin to flow to over 5.3 million Australians,” Plibersek said. <\/p>\n

“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.” <\/p>\n

You can see the full list of the September indexation rates to social security payments here<\/a>. <\/p>\n

Increase to deeming rates as most pensioners better off <\/p>\n

The major Centrelink payment are indexed twice a year, in March and September.<\/a> <\/p>\n

In addition to the hike in cash payments, the government will also increase the social security deeming rates used to estimate how much income an individual’s financial assets would earn as part of the income test. They were previously frozen at lows during the pandemic and increased for the first time in years in September last year, before being revised upwards again in March this year. <\/p>\n

That rate will be raised to 1.75 per cent for financial assets up to $66,800 for singles and $110,600 for couples, and 3.75 per cent for any financial assets above the threshold. <\/p>\n

The increase keeps the upper rate below the cash rate and below returns on investments like superannuation and was welcomed by National Seniors Australia’s director of policy Dr Brendon Radford. <\/p>\n

“[We have] always maintained any lift to deeming rates should be incremental and timed with indexation to best protect those impacted,” he said. <\/p>\n

“Many pensioners will receive the full increase from indexation, some will get a lower amount, and a small number will get a slight reduction in their fortnightly pension,” he said. <\/p>\n

From July, the government also increased the income and asset thresholds tests for those on the Age Pension, meaning individuals can earn more income and own more assets before their payment reduces. At the same time, a number of payments were also indexed a little higher<\/a>. <\/p>\n

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