- Labor boasting of cost of living help
Anthony Albanese’s government is promising life will get easier on July 1 when new cost-of-living help is rolled out.
Minimum wage workers, new parents, tradie apprentices and familes are set to be the big winners during the start of the next financial year.
Inflation has also moderated from recent three-decade highs but things like rent and insurance are still climbing at high levels, with $75 quarterly electricity rebates to expire at the end of 2025.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers has flagged new help is coming next week.
‘The Albanese Labor Government is delivering more real, practical and ongoing help with the cost of living for Australians, with more support set to roll out a week from today,’ he said.
‘This is more responsible, meaningful hip pocket help for households.’
Australia’s 2.9million workers on awards or the minimum wage are getting a 3.5 per cent wage rise on July 1, which is more generous than the 2.4 per cent inflation rate.
The independent Fair Work Commission made the order on June 3, which will see the minimum hourly pay rise to $24.95 for a weekly, full-time of $948 or $49,296 a year.
Anthony Albanese ‘s government is promising life will get easier on July 1 when new cost-of-living help is rolled out
But the government took credit for $1,669 annual increase for the 200,000 Australians on the minimum wage.
‘The Albanese Labor Government is delivering what we said we would at last month’s election, rolling out billions of dollars’ worth of responsible support from 1 July,’ it said.
Compulsory employer superannuation is rising to 12 per cent on July 1, with super also paid into paid parental leave.
Paid parental leave is increasing to 24 weeks, up from 22 weeks.
The annual income limits will also increase – with the individual limit increasing to $180,007 as the family limit rises to $373,094.
New tradies who take up apprenticeships in housing construction will receive $10,000 in incentive payments, on top of their wages, during the life of the apprentice.
That includes $2,000 instalments at six months, a year, two years and three years.
A range of family benefits are also increasing on July 1.
Family Tax Benefit Part A recipients will see the maximum payment for children under 13 rise to $227.36 a fortnight.
For children aged 13 or over, the rate will increase to $295.82 a fortnight.
The maximum rate of Family Tax Benefit Part B will increase to $193.34. For families with a youngest child aged five or over, the rate will increase to $134.96 a fortnight.
Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek hailed the cost of living help.
‘The Albanese Labor Government’s number one priority is addressing cost of living pressures,’ she said.
