The Albanese Labor Government has implemented consecutive increases to Commonwealth Rent Assistance, including a 15% rise in September 2023 followed by a further 10% increase plus indexation. This represents the first back-to-back increase in more than 30 years.

The increases, combined with regular indexation, have lifted maximum rates of Rent Assistance by 45% since May 2022.

This reform is part of broader increases to support payments, including a 21% rise to JobSeeker payment since May 2022, delivering an additional $135 per fortnight for single recipients. The government has also expanded eligibility for the higher rate of JobSeeker to single recipients aged 55 and over who have been on income support for nine or more months.

[1] https://www.dss.gov.au/jobseeker-student-payments-and-commonwealth-rent-assistance#:~:text=As%20part%20of%20the%20Government's,forward%20estimates%2C%20which%20includes%3A.&text=%242.7%20billion%20to%20increase%20Commonwealth,rates%20by%2015%20per%20cent.

[2] https://lisachesters.com/news/media-releases/45-increase-to-rent-assistance-since-labor-was-elected/

[3] https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-02-10/older-women-housing-distress-calls-for-rent-assistance-increase/104845058

[4] https://ministers.treasury.gov.au/ministers/jim-chalmers-2022/media-releases/more-cost-living-relief-rolling-out-today