Australians on youth, student or carer allowance to receive Centrelink cash boost on January 1

The government has confirmed almost one million Aussies will be receiving a boost after New Years as inflation continues to drive up the cost of living.

One million Australians will see their government support payments increase from January 1 in an attempt to help young people and carers adjust with the nation’s soaring inflation.

More than 936,000 people receiving youth, student, or carer support will see a six percent boost in their payments. Youth Allowance payments will increase by $22.40 and $25.80 per fortnight for singles under 18 and over 18 living at home, respectively.

For those living out of home, the increase is $36.20.

Individuals with a partner and children will receive a $39.20 boost per fortnight, while those in a relationship without children get a $36.20 increase.

Austudy recipients will experience an increase between $36.20 and $45.60 per fortnight.

Individuals under 21 receiving a disability support pension will receive increases ranging from $31.10 to $44.90.

Over 600,000 carers will benefit from the carer allowance increase to $153.50 a fortnight.

Rates for ABSTUDY, isolated children assistance, mobility allowance, double orphan pension, and pharmaceutical allowance will also increase.

Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth said the increases would help those receiving support navigate cost of living pressures.

“Australia’s social security system is a safety net that is continually strengthened and improved to support all vulnerable Australians,” Ms Rishworth said earlier.

“Through regular indexation, our payments are adjusted in line with changes in the cost of living to retain their purchasing power.”

Government support payments for almost one million Australians will increase from January 1 in an attempt to help young people and carers adjust with Australia’s soaring inflation.

The increase came after another cash boost in September which impacted over 5.5 million Aussies.

Single Jobseeker recipients will saw their base payment increase by $56 to $749.20 each fortnight, marking largest permanent dollar increase ever to the main adult unemployment benefit in Australia.

People on the Age Pension, Disability Support Pension and Carer Payment received another boost due to indexation with single pensioners getting an extra $32.70, raising the overall payment to $1096.70.

Veterans on the Disability Compensation Payment were given a larger boost of $53.00 a fortnight, increasing their payment to $1729.20.

More than 936,000 people receiving youth, student, or carer support will see a six percent boost in their payments.

Income support recipients will benefit from an increase to the maximum rates of Commonwealth Rent Assistance.

For singles without children, the maximum rate will increase by $27.60 to $184.80 per fortnight.

For families with one or two children, the rate increased by $32.34 to $217.28 per fortnight.

The government says it is making the changes due to the increasing cost of living pressures that have forced millions to rethink their priorities, including cutting back on food, to make ends meet.

“Higher inflation is being felt most within the homes of those on low fixed incomes and these payments are a lifeline for many Australians who are doing it tough or may need some extra support,” Ms Rishworth said.