Cost of Living Support: What’s Available for Locals

Cost of living is the number one issue affecting local families

Global inflation is impacting everything from groceries and petrol to rent, electricity, insurance and phone bills.

The Palaszczuk Government recognises the stress this is causing Queenslanders, which is why we’re doing what we can to help ease the pressure.

Here’s just some of what we’ve announced to help Queenslanders. 

Read on to find out what subsidies or support you may be eligible for.

Rent support

Rental Security Subsidy

If you’re facing short-term financial barriers, our Rental Security Subsidy can help by paying a portion of your rent directly to your property manager for up to 12 months.

The subsidy can support you if you’re experiencing financial barriers to maintaining your tenancy, such as:

• additional bills
• health issues
• the sudden loss of employment
• unforeseen caring responsibilities.

The level of rent subsidy is based on factors such as total household income and your circumstances.

To find out more and to see if you’re eligible, visit https://www.qld.gov.au/…/ren…/financial/security-subsidy

Limiting rent increases to once a year

In March the Palaszczuk Government announced it will limit rent increases to once a year, rather than every six months, to give renters a fair go.

Reducing the frequency of increases from six months to 12 months is also consistent with most other states and territories across the country.

More details, including the commencement date, will be announced in due course.

Support for pensioners and seniors

Thousands of older Queenslanders could be missing out on up to $1100 in cost-of-living rebates and other support.

The Palaszczuk Government is providing cost of living relief to help more seniors and pensioners cover bills during this time.

Some of the relief on offer includes:

• Electricity rebate of up to $372.20/year
• Up to $120 a year off water costs
• Up to $200 a year off local government rates
• A free pair of basic prescription glasses every two years
• Discounted public transport travel
• Cheaper car registration
• Home Assist Secure – $500/year for maintenance work around the house.

To find out about concessions and rebates and to see if you are eligible, go to https://concessionsfinder.services.QLD.gov.au

Support for households

Some of the support on offer includes:

• Cheaper learner licences – We cut the fee for all learner licences by more than half down to $75 to save families and young drivers starting out.
• Free or cheaper kindy
• Discounted public transport fares for children and students
• Up to $295 per student per year towards textbook costs
• Rental bond loans for private rental accommodation
• Fee-Free Tafe available for eligible Queenslanders

To find out about concessions and rebates and to see if you are eligible, go to https://concessionsfinder.services.QLD.gov.au

Electricity rebate to be extended

The Palaszczuk Government has also announced a further rebate for electricity for households next financial year.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced it would extend the power rebate to all households next financial year and the cost of living relief payment will be higher than the $175 rebate we provided last year.

This is only possible because we’ve kept our power assets in public hands.

Stay tuned – More information will be announced ahead of the next financial year.

What other cost of living support has come into effect?

In March, pensions and other welfare payments received an increase of 3.7 per cent to help with surging inflation.

Increased welfare payments hit bank accounts from around 20 March for payments including aged pension, disability support pension, JobSeeker, and single parent benefits.

It means the age and disability support pension will go up $37.50 a fortnight for single people, and Jobseeker by $25 a fortnight.

What if I still need further support?

Emergency Relief program

The Emergency Relief Program provides financial and/or material support to Queenslanders in financial crisis.

The program provides support such as food vouchers, food parcels and third-party payments for vulnerable Queenslanders, and aims to prevent future financial crisis by referring people to appropriate financial and social support services.

We have funded services across Queensland to deliver this program. If you are struggling with unexpected financial pressures, and requiring financial support, you can seek assistance from one of the Emergency Relief services.

Find out more at https://www.qld.gov.au/community/cost-of-living-support/emergency-relief-program 

Charity support

A number of charities also offer support to Queenslanders in need. Find out more at https://www.qld.gov.au/community/cost-of-living-support/support-from-charities

Find out more about Fee-Free TAFE here.

Check out my News page to keep up to date with what’s happening in our community.

And please take my Community Survey to make sure your voice is heard.