Government Payment Changes 2013

INCOME SUPPORT BONUS

The Income Support Bonus commenced on 20 March 2013 and will be paid to recipients of Newstart Allowance, Youth Allowance, Parenting Payment Partnered, Parenting Payment Single, Sickness Allowance, Special Benefit, ABSTUDY Living Allowance, Austudy, Transitional Farm Family Payment and Exceptional Circumstances Payment.

The Income Support Bonus will be paid around late March and late September each year and will be indexed to CPI twice annually, in March and September from September 2013, to ensure payment rates keep pace with inflation.

BABY BONUS CHANGES

The amount of Baby Bonus payment for second and subsequent children who come into a family from 1 July 2013 will be reduced from $5,000 to $3,000. The Baby Bonus will continue to be paid at the rate of $5,000 (13 fortnightly instalments) for a family’s first child, and for each child who comes into the family in a multiple birth, adoption or entrustment to care.

The payment rate for Baby Bonus will be reviewed in June 2015.

FAMILY TAX BENEFIT MAXIMUM RATE TO INCREASE

From 1 July 2013, the maximum rate of Family Tax Benefit Part A will increase by $300 a year for families with one child and by $600 per year for families with two or more children. The base rate of Family Tax Benefit will increase by $100 per year for families with one child and by $200 per year for families with two or more children.