Family and Community Services
Accommodation bonds — exemption from assets tests
| 2005-06 | 2006-07 | 2007-08 | 2008-09 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Department of Family and Community Services | 9.9 | 10.8 | 12.9 | 15.1 |
| Department of Veterans’ Affairs | 2.2 | 2.3 | 2.7 | 3.1 |
| Department of Health and Ageing | 1.3 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 1.1 |
| Total | 13.4 | 14.1 | 16.6 | 19.3 |
| Related capital ($m) | ||||
| Department of Veterans’ Affairs | .. | - | - | - |
| Department of Health and Ageing | .. | - | - | - |
| Total | .. | - | - | - |
The Government will provide $66.3 million over five years (including $2.9 million in 2004-05) to exempt accommodation bonds from the social security and veterans’ entitlements assets tests that apply for income support pensions. This measure includes capital funding of $0.4 million in 2005-06 for the Department of Health and Ageing, and $0.3 million for the Department of Veterans’ Affairs.
An accommodation bond is an amount that may be paid by a resident when entering low level care or an extra service place in high level care. The exemption will commence on 1 July 2005 and will apply to all accommodation bonds, irrespective of when they are paid. Residents who opt to pay their bond in periodic payments will be able to rent out their former home without the rental payments or the value of their former home affecting the rate of pension.
This measure was announced on 1 October 2004 as part of the Government’s election commitment Recognising Senior Australians — Their Needs and Their Carers.
Carer Payment — increasing opportunities to undertake work, study or training
| 2005-06 | 2006-07 | 2007-08 | 2008-09 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Department of Family and Community Services | 2.4 | 6.0 | 10.3 | 15.4 |
| Department of Employment and Workplace Relations | .. | .. | .. | .. |
| Total | 2.4 | 6.0 | 10.3 | 15.4 |
The Government will provide funding of $34.9 million over five years (including $0.8 million in 2004-05) to increase the number of hours that carers can work, train or study while maintaining eligibility for Carer Payment, from 20 hours to 25 hours per week. The measure is expected to assist more than 1,000 carers to maintain networks, and develop skills that will assist them with employment.
This measure was announced on 1 October 2004 as part of the Government’s election commitment Recognising Senior Australians — Their Needs and Their Carers.
Community organisations — one-off grants
| 2005-06 | 2006-07 | 2007-08 | 2008-09 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Department of Family and Community Services | - | - | - | - |
The Government has provided funding of $565,000 in 2004-05 to meet election commitments to fund small local projects. The community organisations to be funded are as follows:
- Kilburn Blair Athol Community Youth Centre in South Australia — $250,000;
- Eastern Access Community Health in Victoria — $165,000;
- Ringwood Skate Park in Victoria — $50,000;
- Ovingham Sport and Social Club in South Australia — $30,000;
- 1st Toongabbie Scout Group in New South Wales — $20,000;
- Blackburn Scouts in Victoria — $20,000;
- Ringwood Scouts in Victoria — $15,000; and
- Swan Italian Sporting Club in Western Australia — $15,000.
Family Tax Benefit Part B Supplement
| 2005-06 | 2006-07 | 2007-08 | 2008-09 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Department of Family and Community Services | 253.5 | 265.8 | 271.5 | 277.8 |
| Australian Taxation Office | 177.0 | 173.7 | 179.0 | 183.9 |
| Total | 430.4 | 439.4 | 450.5 | 461.7 |
| Related capital ($m) | ||||
| Department of Family and Community Services | 0.5 | - | - | - |
The Government will provide $2.0 billion over five years (including $212.0 million in 2004-05) of which $2.0 million is capital funding (including $1.5 million in 2004-05) to increase the rate of Family Tax Benefit Part B by $300. This will commence with a half year entitlement of $150 on 1 January 2005. This increased rate of assistance will be paid as a lump sum upon reconciliation of entitlements at the end of the financial year. If required, any family assistance overpayments received by the family will be offset against the supplement.
This measure was announced on 26 September 2004 as part of the Government’s election commitment Extra Assistance to Families.
Grandparents who care for children — increasing child care assistance
| 2005-06 | 2006-07 | 2007-08 | 2008-09 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Department of Family and Community Services | 18.6 | 23.6 | 28.8 | 30.5 |
The Government will provide eligible grandparents who are the primary carers of their grandchildren and in receipt of income support with access to a special rate of Child Care Benefit (CCB) called Grandparent CCB — which covers the full cost of child care fees for approved care. The cost of this measure is estimated at $110.3 million over five years (including $8.8 million in 2004-05).
The Government has also waived the work, study or training test for grandparents who are the primary carers of their grandchildren. This provides entitlement to CCB for up to 50 hours of child care per week.
This measure was announced on 26 September 2004 as part of the Government’s election commitment Extra Assistance for Families.
Seniors Concession Allowances for self-funded retirees who hold a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card
| 2005-06 | 2006-07 | 2007-08 | 2008-09 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Department of Family and Community Services | 60.2 | 64.5 | 69.1 | 73.8 |
| Department of Veterans’ Affairs | 2.0 | 1.9 | 1.8 | 1.6 |
| Total | 62.2 | 66.4 | 70.9 | 75.4 |
| Related capital ($m) | ||||
| Department of Veterans’ Affairs | - | - | - | - |
The Government will provide funding of $333.7 million over five years (including $58.8 million in 2004-05, of which $0.1 million is capital funding) for the creation of a Seniors Concession Allowance, payable to self‑funded retirees who hold a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card.
The payment will be $200 a year, paid in two instalments, in June and December each year. The first instalment of $100 was paid in December 2004.
This measure was announced on 1 October 2004 as part of the Government’s election commitment Recognising Senior Australians — Their Needs and Their Carers.
Stronger Families and Communities Strategy — increased funding for Communities for Children
| 2005-06 | 2006-07 | 2007-08 | 2008-09 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Department of Family and Community Services | 4.9 | 9.7 | 9.7 | 8.1 |
The Government will provide funding of $32.6 million over five years (including $0.3 million in 2004-05) to expand the Communities for Children initiative. Funding will target identified disadvantaged communities and will support the establishment of early childhood development initiatives.
This measure was announced on 23 September 2004 as part of the Government’s election commitment Stronger Families and Communities.
Stronger Families and Communities Strategy — increased funding for Local Answers
| 2005-06 | 2006-07 | 2007-08 | 2008-09 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Department of Family and Community Services | 8.4 | 20.8 | 28.3 | 19.6 |
The Government will provide funding of $77.6 million over five years (including $0.5 million in 2004-05) to expand the Local Answers initiative. Funding will provide targeted grants to local community organisations to develop small-scale projects responding to local problems.
This measure was announced on 23 September 2004 as part of the Government’s election commitment Stronger Families and Communities.
Stronger Families and Communities Strategy — increased funding for Volunteer Small Equipment Grants
| 2005-06 | 2006-07 | 2007-08 | 2008-09 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Department of Family and Community Services | 3.6 | 3.6 | 3.7 | 0.1 |
The Government will provide funding of $14.6 million over five years (including $3.6 million in 2004-05) to ensure the continuation of the volunteer small equipment grants programme. These grants will be provided to community organisations for the purchase of equipment that will assist volunteers in their voluntary work.
This measure was announced on 23 September 2004 as part of the Government’s election commitment Stronger Families and Communities.
Utilities Allowance for senior Australians on income support
| 2005-06 | 2006-07 | 2007-08 | 2008-09 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Department of Family and Community Services | 145.0 | 151.9 | 159.5 | 168.3 |
| Department of Veterans’ Affairs | 24.2 | 23.7 | 23.6 | 22.5 |
| Total | 169.3 | 175.6 | 183.1 | 190.8 |
| Related capital ($m) | ||||
| Department of Veterans’ Affairs | - | - | - | - |
The Government will provide funding of $800.9 million over five years (including $82.1 million in 2004-05) for the creation of a new Utilities Allowance. The allowance is payable to Australians of age pension age who receive the Age Pension, Disability Support Pension, Carer Payment, Veterans’ Service Pension or War Widows Pension. This includes capital funding of $0.3 million in 2004-05.
The Utilities Allowance will be $100 a year for singles and $50 a year for each member of a couple. It will be paid in two instalments, in September and March of each year. The first instalment was paid in March 2005.
This measure was announced on 1 October 2004 as part of the Government’s election commitment Recognising Senior Australians — Their Needs and Their Carers.
Women’s Leadership and Development Programme
| 2005-06 | 2006-07 | 2007-08 | 2008-09 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Department of Family and Community Services | 4.1 | 3.6 | 3.6 | 3.6 |
The Government will provide $15.0 million over four years for the Women’s Leadership and Development programme to encourage greater female participation in all parts of Australian life, including leadership roles.
The programme’s activities will include supporting the appointment of women to Australian Government and public company boards, developing a young women’s leadership and mentoring programme in rural and remote areas, increasing women’s participation in all aspects of sport and providing grants to non‑government national women’s organisations.
This measure includes commitments announced on 6 October 2004 as part of the Government’s election policy Australian Women — Opportunities for Life.
Women’s Safety Agenda
| 2005-06 | 2006-07 | 2007-08 | 2008-09 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Department of Family and Community Services | 15.2 | 15.9 | 15.5 | 16.1 |
| Department of Health and Ageing | 1.0 | 2.8 | 3.8 | 4.9 |
| Health Insurance Commission | 0.2 | .. | .. | .. |
| Total | 16.4 | 18.7 | 19.3 | 21.0 |
| Related capital ($m) | ||||
| Health Insurance Commission | 0.1 | - | - | - |
The Government will provide $75.7 million over four years (including $0.1 million in capital funding) for the Women’s Safety Agenda, to help address the problems of domestic violence and sexual assault.
The measure will provide funding for the continuation of the Violence Against Women: Australia Says No campaign, training of General Practice nurses in regional and rural areas and training for Mensline counsellors on domestic violence issues. Funding will also be provided for the Australian Centre for the Study of Sexual Assault and the new Australian Domestic and Family Violence Clearing House.
This measure was announced on 6 October 2004 as part of the Government’s election commitment Australian Women — Opportunities for Life.