logo-Centrelink

More support for older Australians, people with disabilities and carers

The Australian Government has announced a package called Making Ends Meet - Federal Labor’s Plan for Older Australians, People with Disabilities and Carers.

On this page


What are the features of the package?

The elements of the package are:

Utilities Allowance

  • Utilities Allowance will increase from $107.20 a year to $500 a year for singles, and from $53.60 to $250 a year for each member of a couple
  • Utilities Allowance will be paid quarterly rather than half yearly
  • Single customers receiving Utilities Allowance will get $125 every 3 months
  • Couples receiving Utilities Allowance will get $62.50 each every 3 months
  • Utilities Allowance will be paid to recipients of Disability Support Pension, Carer Payment, Wife Pension, Widow B Pension and Bereavement Allowance

Seniors Concession Allowance

  • Seniors Concession Allowance will increase from $218 a year to $500 a year for each self funded retiree who holds a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card
  • Seniors Concession Allowance will be paid quarterly rather than half yearly
  • Eligible self-funded retirees, whether single or partnered, will each get $125 every 3 months

Telephone Allowance

  • Telephone Allowance increases for all income support recipients of age pension age, Carer Payment recipients and Disability Support Pensioners, and holders of a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card who have a home internet service
  • The new higher rate of Telephone Allowance is $132 a year for a household
  • Eligible single customers will receive $33 every 3 months and each eligible member of a couple $16.50 every 3 months
  • Customers must be qualified for the lower rate of Telephone Allowance and the internet service must be in their or their partner’s name to qualify for the higher rate

[ return to top ]

When do changes take place?

The changes to Utilities Allowance, Seniors Concession Allowance and Telephone Allowance will commence from 20 March 2008, subject to the passage of legislation.

[ return to top ]

Factsheets

[ return to top ]

How do I know I qualify for the increase in Telephone Allowance?

To qualify for the higher rate of Telephone Allowance you must be receiving the basic Telephone Allowance rate and have a home internet connection in your name or your partner’s name.

You must also receive:

  • an income support payment and be of Age Pension age, or
  • Disability Support Pension, or
  • Carer Payment, or
  • hold a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card.

For more information, go to the Telephone Allowance page.

[ return to top ]

Do I need to do anything?

New and existing Utilities Allowance recipients won’t be required to do anything to get the new rate of Utilities Allowance.

The Seniors Concession Allowance increase will be paid automatically to all Commonwealth Seniors Health Card customers.

To receive the higher rate of Telephone Allowance you will need to provide your internet service details to Centrelink by 20 March 2008.

You can do this by:

  • returning the form attached to the letter you should have received from Centrelink during February and March informing you of the changes, or
  • using Centrelink’s Online Services to record your internet service details online.

[ return to top ]

How do I provide this information online?

Regsiter for online services

To register to use Centrelink Online Services, go to the Online Services page and follow the prompts to complete the registration process. Once registered you will have access to a range of options. After 10 March 2008 you can then record your Internet Service Provider details online using the View/Update Your Address, Accommodation or Contact Details service.

Try an online demonstration to see how easy it is to use Centrelink Online Services. There are four options that you can try.

Please note: If you are already registered with Centrelink Online Services, you can record your internet service details online after 10 March 2008.

[ return to top ]

When will I receive the new increases?

The first instalment of Utilities Allowance and Seniors Concession Allowance will be paid to your usual bank account on or close to your usual payment in the fortnight commencing 20 March 2008.

The earlier you provide the information for Telephone Allowance, the sooner Centrelink can assess your eligibiliy to receive the higher rate.

Please note: To ensure you receive the higher rate of Telephone Allowance from 20 March 2008 you must provide your internet service details to Centrelink before this date.

[ return to top ]

What is a home internet connection?

The following are examples of a home internet connection that attract the increased rate of Telephone Allowance:

  • dial-up internet service through a home telephone connection,
  • broadband internet service (cable, ADSL or satellite) delivered to the customer’s home where the internet service is part of a service ‘bundle’,
  • broadband internet service delivered through a mobile phone where the internet service is part of a bundle.

The following are not examples of a home internet connection and do not attract the increased rate of Telephone Allowance:

  • a customer subscribes to an internet service but the service is not delivered to the customers home
  • a person’s home internet connection is provided by their employer as part of a remuneration package
  • internet services accessed at community facilities, including libraries, schools, universities, community centres, and charities
  • internet services accessed at commercial businesses, including internet kiosks, cafes, airports, and
  • a mobile phone that is internet enabled but the customer has not purchased an internet service for the phone.

[ return to top ]

Did you find what you were looking for? You can also try the A-Z list, quick links, search, site help or send us feedback on how to make this a better website.

Return to Top