Home

Parents with three kids get extra $226, pensioners receive boost

Finn McHughNCA NewsWire
VideoThe Coalition and Labour are neck and neck in the latest Newspoll but Scott Morrison’s popularity has fallen

Families with three children will receive up to $226 extra in their pockets annually in a bid to keep pace with the rising cost of living during Covid-19 as the federal government also unveils a boost for one million pensioners.

The federal government on Monday confirmed slight increases to family tax benefit payments, while families will be eligible for paid parental leave.

Family tax benefit A and B payments will increase from July 1, which the Coalition said equated to $94.90 for families with one child, $156.95 for families with two, and $226.30 for families with three.

That figure amounted to an extra $1.68 a fortnight for each child aged under 13 and $2.24 for each child aged over 13.

Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE

Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.

READ NOW

Families and Social Services Minister Anne Ruston conceded the increases were “moderate” but said “every dollar counts”.

Generic photograph of a family. Couple. Three children. Kids.
Camera IconFamilies with three kids who are eligible for family tax benefit payments are set to receive a boost of up to $226 from July 1. Credit: Supplied

“We are lifting the income caps on many of these payments for the first time since 2009 and 2011 because we are committed to standing shoulder to shoulder with Australian families as we recover from the pandemic,” she said.

An extra $7.30 will go to families receiving part A at the end of the financial year and $3.65 for families receiving part B.

Families earning up to $151,350 will be eligible for paid parental leave and dad and partner pay after the income cap was raised from $150,000.

The age pension, disability support pension and carer payments have also received a boost, with the income-free area rising by $2 to $180 for individuals per fortnight and $4 to $320 for couples.

Pensioner couples will be able to own $405,000 in assets before their rate is affected, up from $401,500, which the government said would amount to an extra $10.50 every fortnight.

“The Morrison government is continuing our record investment to cement our recovery, create jobs and guarantee the support and services Australians rely on,” Ms Ruston said.

Originally published as Parents with three kids get extra $226, pensioners receive boost

Get the latest news from thewest.com.au in your inbox.

Sign up for our emails