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Budget Priorities

Acknowledging Older Australians

measures to address the needs of older Australians

The Government is introducing a number of measures to specifically address the needs of older Australians.

People of age pension age who receive income support or are outside the taxation and social security system will receive a one-off payment of $300. The payment will not be subject to taxation or included in social security assets tests.

increase in the effective tax free threshold

For a single person of age pension age, the effective tax free threshold increases to $20,000 per annum, while the effective tax free threshold for couples, where income is evenly shared, increases to $32,612 per annum.

Eligibility for the Commonwealth Seniors Health Care Card will be widened and the Government will extend the telephone allowance of $17.20 per quarter and seek to extend other State and Territory concessions to all people who hold a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card.

Superannuation assets are to be exempted from social security means tests for people aged between 55 years and the age pension age.

additional funding for aged care services

Additional funding of $58 million over four years will be provided to improve aged care services.

compensation for Australian Prisoners of War of the Japanese

In recognition of the unique circumstances of their captivity, the Government will make a one-off payment of $25,000 to former Australian Defence Force members who were Prisoners of War of the Japanese and civilian internees and detainees of the Japanese. For those who are no longer alive, payments will be made to their surviving spouses.

In recognition of their valuable contribution to Australian security, British, other Commonwealth and Allied Veterans of World War II who are aged seventy years or over and have qualifying service consistent with the requirements for the service pension will be provided with full access to the Repatriation Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.

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measures to address the needs of older Australians	The Government is introducing a number of measures to specifically address the needs of older Australians.
	People of age pension age who receive income support or are outside the taxation and social security system will receive a one-off payment of $300. The payment will not be subject to taxation or included in social security assets tests.
increase in the effective tax free threshold	For a single person of age pension age, the effective tax free threshold increases to $20,000 per annum, while the effective tax free threshold for couples, where income is evenly shared, increases to $32,612 per annum.
	Eligibility for the Commonwealth Seniors Health Care Card will be widened and the Government will extend the telephone allowance of $17.20 per quarter and seek to extend other State and Territory concessions to all people who hold a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card.
	Superannuation assets are to be exempted from social security means tests for people aged between 55 years and the age pension age.
additional funding for aged care services	Additional funding of $58 million over four years will be provided to improve aged care services.
compensation for Australian Prisoners of War of the Japanese	In recognition of the unique circumstances of their captivity, the Government will make a one-off payment of $25,000 to former Australian Defence Force members who were Prisoners of War of the Japanese and civilian internees and detainees of the Japanese. For those who are no longer alive, payments will be made to their surviving spouses.
	In recognition of their valuable contribution to Australian security, British, other Commonwealth and Allied Veterans of World War II who are aged seventy years or over and have qualifying service consistent with the requirements for the service pension will be provided with full access to the Repatriation Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.