Tag: cost of living

Indexation is not an increase, especially if we’re looking at petrol and other hikes due to war

Indexation amounts were released last week, and I’ll personally be getting $10.25 more a week in my DSP and rent assistance. See all the details in the tables here.

Social Security Payment Parameters20 March 2026 indexation Rates Pension Rates Pension — Single — Resident Component (per fortnight) Previous Amount 20 Mar 2026 Increase Basic Rate $1,079.70 $1,100.30 $20.60 Pension Supplement $84.90 $86.50 $1.60 Energy Supplement $14.10 $14.10 - Typical Total Rate $1,178.70 $1,200.90 $22.20 Note: also includes illness separated, respite care or partner in gaol. Pension — Partnered (each) — Resident Component (per fortnight) Previous Amount 20 Mar 2026 Increase Basic Rate $813.90 $829.40 $15.50 Pension Supplement $64.00 $65.20 $1.20 Energy Supplement $10.60 $10.60 - Typical Total Rate $888.50 $905.20 $16.70
Pensions from March 20
Commonwealth Rent AssistanceCommonwealth Rent Assistance — SSAct — Maximum rates Family situation (per fortnight) Previous Amount 20 Mar 2026 Increase Single $215.40 $219.40 $4.00 Single — Sharer $143.60 $146.27 $2.67 Partnered — Illness separated $215.40 $219.40 $4.00 Partnered — Temporarily separated $203.00 $206.80 $3.80 Couple $203.00 $206.80 $3.80 Commonwealth Rent Assistance — SSAct — Rent thresholds Family situation (per fortnight) Previous Amount 20 Mar 2026 Increase Single $152.00 $154.80 $2.80 Single — Sharer $152.00 $154.80 $2.80 Partnered — Illness separated $152.00 $154.80 $2.80 Partnered — Temporarily separated $152.00 $154.80 $2.80 Couple $246.20 $250.80 $4.60
Rent assistance amounts from March 20

As always, they start accumulating from March 20, so no one sees the full increase pain into their account until at least April, and not til mid-April for some. Standard single JobSeeker is getting a $15.10 a fortnight “boost” (*voms*) as the gov and media love to call it. $7.55 a week isn’t exactly a powerup.

Jobseeker Payment RatesNote: some of the following rates may apply to Special Benefit recipients. JobSeeker Payment — Single — No dependent children Component (per fortnight) Previous Amount 20 Mar 2026 Increase Basic Rate $793.60 $808.70 $15.10 Energy Supplement $8.80 $8.80 - Typical Total Rate $802.40 $817.50 $15.10 JobSeeker Payment — Single — With dependent children Component (per fortnight) Previous Amount 20 Mar 2026 Increase Basic Rate $849.90 $866.00 $16.10 Energy Supplement $9.50 $9.50 - Typical Total Rate $859.40 $875.50 $16.10 JobSeeker Payment — Single — Principal carer of a dependent child Component (per fortnight) Previous Amount 20 Mar 2026 Increase Basic Rate $849.90 $866.00 $16.10 Energy Supplement $9.50 $9.50 - Pharmaceutical Allowance $7.00 $7.00 - Typical Total Rate $866.40 $882.50 $16.10
Jobseeker rates from March 20

Of course, the ACCC had been “asked” to keep an eye on fuel prices, but that’s just about all they’ll do – watch. I can do that too. Which is why when taking the recycling this morning we went to the lil servo and garage at Mirabooka for fuel. I handed them the $50 note Dad had given me and the 5c coin from my Gudetama coin purse and topped it up.

They say we might see an interest rate rise because of the extra inflation of fuel costs and the impact that will have on food and transport costs. I’m sure that in itself will put brakes on already stretched waged-households spending, but sure throw an interest rate hike on top. Gotta play the numbers.

Nearly paid off the power bill, then it’s rego for the Corolla next month. Our  household spending is certainly not all that wild. but as long as Maxi has food and treats we’re going fine.

You know some things just make you wanna scream but you’re tired?

CW Suicide and self harm etc

People are doing amazing work out there. The Antipoverty Centre filed their submission to the national Suicide Prevention Strategy. And it’s good. And you’ll read it and nod your head at the content and shake your head at the lack of action from governments and lip service from supposed support organisations. It’s here. There’s facts and stats and stories and it’s all there, screaming to governments to Rise the Rate of Welfare and build public housing and get rid of partner income tests to help people to get out of abusive situations and have independence within relationships. Agency is important and people are feeling helpless and are driven to despair. And suicide is certainly a more appealing option for some that continuing in a punitive welfare situation.

Thankyou for putting that together. And for acknowledging the frustration that people are experiencing with telling their stories over and over and pleading for the dignity of being listened to, when 2.5 years into government, they decide not to respond to the DSP inquiry since it’s been so damned long since the recommendations were made, which is certainly not one of the principles of TREATING PEOPLE WITH RESPECT that was recommended.

meanwhile, apparently social security debts from the seventies are fair game, even though 6 years was said to be plenty long back to expect people to defend debts. But you know, why respect the recommendations from millions of dollars and thousands or hours of paid and unpaid work by experts and lawyers and people on the ground. Fuck us, right?

It’s more than two years since that qanda episode where I got to ask about our dear Treasurer when things might get better, and really nothing has changed. Rent keeps going up, as does every other cost, including out of pocket GP expenses and more. But yeah. Go red team?

I’ve had to put some boundaries in place to help manage my sanity, I’m going to respect my bedtime and meds times more, even if that means other people have to do more for themselves.

 

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Happy EOFYS! (Don’t let the tax cuts overwhelm you on the way out)

You can’t have missed it. EVERY AUSTRALIAN TAXPAYER IS GETTING A TAX CUT. Well, anyone earning above the tax free threshold is. Anyone paying GST or excise other other taxes that disproportionally impact the poorer peeps only isn’t.

Apparently, recipients of the age pension, a disability support pension and carer payments will be able to earn more before their payments are reduced. Singles can now earn $212 a fortnight (previously $204) and couples can earn $372 (previously $360). Let’s ignore the face that those people are currently on sub-poverty level payments because they’re supposed to be caring for themselves or others full time and really shouldn’t have to go out to work for that elusive block of cheese. Aspirational cheese.

I’m still slightly bitter that the energy rebate is less, even though it was just stupid to begin with. Also jelly of those states going to elections getting extra from their state labor where GST splits have allowed it. My bill is only going up, and here I am hoping my stepson’s JobSeeker application gets approved before the next bill so we can use his backpay to pay that. Waiting time for Jobseeker is still about 12 weeks I hear, so it lines up.

I’ll be relieved when tomorrow comes and the mailing lists I’m signed up for for various organisations with charitable status will stop asking for end-of financial year contributions. Though I have shared this one for Southlakes, the local community support organisaion near me that’s run on the smell of an oily rag, feeding families each week after Centrelink refers them their way rather then government deigning it time to Raise the Rate above the poverty line.

$12 bag of expired food items from a foodbank

I’ve starting attending rental inspections for the step-kid and bub to mover back to Newcastle, there’s so little out there and so many families at each inspection. At least we all have housing, it’s not ideal but it’s shelter.