A new year has arrived. What new benefits does Australia have in 2023? What updates and changes have been made to the various benefits policies? Today we take stock of them — each one is relevant to every friend living in Australia. Note that the benefits policies mentioned in this article all take effect in Australia from 1 January 2023.
1. PBS Medicine Price Reduction
In 2023, the government aims to help cash-strapped Australians access cheaper medicines. The maximum cost for medicines on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) list, previously AUD 42.50, will be reduced to AUD 30 from 1 January this year — a 29% decrease. This is the first reduction in the general co-payment for medicines under the PBS in 75 years.
The Australian Government has stated that this change will “help ease the cost-of-living pressures Australians are currently facing as they battle inflation.”
2. Centrelink Increases for 1 Million Australians
Approximately one million Australians receiving Centrelink benefits will now see an increase in their payments, largely targeting many people including carers and students. An increase of 6% per week, or around AUD 20 extra.
This means:
- Youth Allowance will increase by AUD 19.10 to AUD 41.40 per fortnight;
- Austudy will increase by AUD 32.40 to AUD 41.40 per fortnight;
- Recipients of the Disability Support Pension under 21 and without children can also receive AUD 27.40 to AUD 40.70 per fortnight;
- ABSTUDY, isolated children assistance, mobility allowance, double orphan pension, carer allowance, pharmaceutical allowance and other allowances will also increase from 1 January this year.
3. Greater Transparency in Home Care
From 1 January this year, limits will be imposed on the care and package management fees charged by providers, and providers can no longer charge you exit fees, additional fees for third-party goods or services, or package management fees for months in which you did not receive services other than care management (with the exception of the first month of care).
These changes are designed to make it easier for people to compare prices between providers.
4. Tax Changes
From 1 January this year, for those whose annual Australian taxable wages exceed AUD 1.3 million, for every AUD 7 of taxable wages above this amount, the deduction will be reduced by AUD 1. At the same time, when your Australian taxable wages reach AUD 10.4 million, the deduction will be reduced to zero.
Please note that because this policy change will take effect during the financial year, your annual and final deduction may be based on two different deduction calculations for the financial year ending 30 June 2023.
5. 180,000 Fee-Free Places
The Australian Federal Government has allocated AUD 493 million, with state and territory governments also contributing funds, to deliver 180,000 fee-free TAFE (Technical and Further Education) and vocational education and training places from 1 January this year.
The 180,000 places will be used for the following fields of study identified as “national priorities”:
- Care (aged care, childcare, health care, and disability care);
- Construction;
- Agriculture;
- Technology and digital;
- Hospitality and tourism;
- Capability building to safeguard Australian sovereignty.
- NSW will provide before- and after-school-care vouchers. Parents of primary school-aged children will be able to apply for AUD 500 vouchers before the end of January 2023 to pay for before- and after-school care for their children. This includes children starting kindergarten in 2023.
- In VIC, through new government subsidies, kindergarten will be free in 2023. Children enrolled in eligible Sessional kinder services will have access to a AUD 2,500 subsidy; children attending Long-day-care funded kinder programs will be eligible for a AUD 2,000 fee reduction.
- From January this year, QLD plans to provide free or cheaper kindergarten for 40,000 families.
- Elderly people;
- Indigenous people;
- People with disabilities;
- Immunocompromised people.
6. Lower Childcare Costs
In 2023, the Australian Government will help many Australian families save on childcare costs. Below we give examples from NSW, VIC, and QLD.
7. This Group Gets Priority Access to PCR Testing
The Australian Government has stipulated that from 1 January this year, there will be some important changes to the approach to Covid.
Medicare-funded PCR testing will require advice from a doctor or nurse, and high-risk groups will have priority access to PCR testing. These high-risk groups can still obtain free PCR testing through state testing sites and GP-led respiratory clinics, without requiring a GP referral. The Australian Government will invest AUD 2.8 million in this year’s national plan.
High-risk groups are as follows:
8. Other Policy Changes to Note
1. Mobile Phone Bans
In 2023, public high schools in South Australia banned the use of mobile phones. South Australia is the fourth state to introduce this rule, after the Northern Territory, Victoria, and Western Australia.
2. Golf Rule Changes
Golf enthusiasts take note — some golf rules are changing globally. Last November, the Royal and Ancient Golf Club (R&A) and the United States Golf Association announced several modifications to the Rules of Golf, which took effect globally on 1 January this year.
The revised rules include new modifications for people with disabilities, as well as four new sub-rules for players with disabilities, allowing “approved persons” to perform certain actions, which would incur a penalty if performed by an unapproved person.
In Closing
Friends in Australia, we hope you can bookmark these changes to the benefits policies across various areas. In the new year, if you need help with any issues relating to Australian family law, commercial law, disputes and litigation, property conveyancing, or similar matters, you are welcome to consult our team of lawyers.
