Queensland Budget 2018: Your guide to the best Government concessions
NEXT week’s State Budget will include $5.5 billion for concessions. Here are some of the discounts available to Queenslanders, which despite strong advertising, not enough people are taking advantage of.
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Next week’s State Budget will include $5.5 billion for concessions.
Here are some of the discounts available to Queenslanders, which despite strong advertising, not enough people are taking advantage of.
VOCATIONAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING - CERT III GUARANTEE TUITION FEE SUBSIDY
Provides a subsidy to allow eligible Queenslanders to obtain their first post-school Certificate 3 qualification to gain a job or to improve their employment status.
Who is eligible: Australian or New Zealand citizen or Australian permanent resident who is 15 years or older, lives in Queensland and has left school. Must not already hold a certificate III level or higher qualification.
How much: The value of the subsidy for each qualification is $40 to $6260 depending on eligibility and qualification subsidised. The average subsidy value is $2836.
TEXTBOOK AND RESOURCE ALLOWANCE
Helps parents cover the costs of textbooks and resources. Parents can sign over the allowance to the school and reduce the fees associated with the school’s textbook and resource scheme.
Who is eligible: Available for all parents/caregivers of secondary school age students attending state school and approved non-government schools.
How much: $125 for students in Years 7-10 and $271 for students in Years 11-12.
GOVERNMENT MANAGED HOUSING RENTAL REBATE
Targeting low-income families and individuals, this rebate covers the difference between rents payable in the private market and rent that is charged by government, based on household income.
Who is eligible: Low-income families and individuals.
How much: $6796 average yearly subsidy.
ELECTRICITY REBATE SCHEME
Helps eligible Queenslanders pay their electricity bill.
Who is eligible: Anyone with a Pensioner Concession Card, Department of Veterans’ Affairs Gold Card, Queensland Seniors Card, Commonwealth Health Care Card or who has asylum seeker status.
How much: A rebate of up to $341 a year.
ELECTRICITY ASSET OWNERSHIP DIVIDEND
Using highly profitable state-owned power generators to provide a rebate to all power bills.
Who is eligible: Every Queensland power bill automatically has the rebate applied.
How much: $50.
PENSIONER RATE SUBSIDY SCHEME
Offers a 20 per cent subsidy to lessen the impact of local government rates and charges to pensioners.
Who is eligible: Anyone with a Queensland Pensioner Concession Card or Department of Veterans’ Affairs Health Card.
How much: 20 per cent subsidy up to $200.
SOUTHEAST QUEENSLAND WATER SUBSIDY
Providing a subsidy to lessen the impact of water grid prices in SEQ for pensioners.
Who is eligible: Queensland Pensioner Concession Card holders, Department of Veterans’ Affairs Health Card holders. Residence must be within the SEQ water grid.
How much: Up to $120.
TRAINEE TRAVEL ACCOMMODATION SUBSIDY
Providing financial assistance to apprentices and trainees for travel expenses when attending off-the-job training.
Who is eligible: Apprentices and trainees registered in Queensland who have to travel at least 100km return to attend off-the-job training away from their usual place of employment.
How much: Return land travel at 15¢ per kilometre for 100-649km, increasing to 19¢ per kilometre for 650-1400km. Cost of ferry travel if necessary. A return economy airfare to the location of the registered training organisation if necessary.
HOME ASSIST SECURE
Helping eligible people over 60, or who have disability, to remain living in their home, either owned or rented. Free safety information and referrals are available, plus subsidised assistance to pay for critical maintenance.
Who is eligible: Homeowners or tenants over 60 or of any age with a disability. Must hold a Pensioner Concession Card and be unable to complete the work themselves.
How much: $400 a year.
AFFORDABLE ENERGY PLAN – ENERGY-SAVVY FAMILIES
Money has been allocated for the introduction of electricity monitors to help provide education and information.
Who is eligible: Low-income earners.
How much: $4 million.
DROUGHT RELIEF FROM ELECTRICITY CHARGES
Providing relief from supply charges on electricity accounts used to pump water for farm or irrigation purposes for drought-declared properties and areas.
Eligible customers can apply for a waiver or reimbursement of supply charges on all relevant electricity accounts.
Who is eligible: Drought-declared areas or if the property is drought-declared.
How much: A waiver or reimbursement of supply charges on all relevant electricity accounts.
VEHICLE AND BOAT REGISTRATION CONCESSIONS
Saving money on registration costs for pensioners, seniors and impaired service persons.
Who is eligible: Queensland Seniors Card holders, Queensland Pension Concession Card holders and anyone receiving a disability pension and have been assessed as at least 70 per cent incapacitated.
How much: For most eligible card holders, a concession for a four-cylinder car would reduce 12-month registration from $321.35 to $160.65.
TAXI SUBSIDY SCHEME
Providing a 50 per cent concession for those with severe disabilities.
Who is eligible: Physically, mentally, visually impaired.
How much: Half the total fare up to $25.
ORAL HEALTH CARE SCHEME
Provides free dental care to eligible clients and dependants.
Who is eligible: Those with a Health Care Card, Pensioner Concession Card, Queensland Seniors Card or Commonwealth Seniors Card, and their dependants.
How much: Equivalent cost for the treatment. About $600 for general care, $1800 for treatment involving dentures, $265 for emergency dental.
FIRST HOMEOWNERS’ GRANT
Provides a lump sum for Queenslanders buying their first home.
Who is eligible: Queenslanders buying a brand new home. A concession for transfer duty is also available to those buying their first homes.
How much: Up to $20,000.
To apply, see campaigns.premiers.qld.gov.au/smart-savings
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