Cost of Living Help Australia 2026: Every Government Payment and Rebate Available Now

The Commonwealth Energy Bill Relief Fund ended on 31 December 2025 and is not running in 2026-27. Earlier rounds paid $300 and then $150 automatically in $75 quarterly instalments, so if you have seen those figures quoted, they are historical. What is still available is state and territory concession-card rebates and schemes like the NSW Family Energy Rebate — check energy.gov.au/rebates for your state. The Low Income Tax Offset (LITO) is unchanged for 2026-27: up to $700, tapering from $37,500 and cutting out at $66,667.

The Stage 3 tax cuts (effective from 1 July 2024) reduced marginal rates for all taxpayers: 16% (15% from 1 July 2026) for $18,201-$45,000, 30% for $45,001-$135,000, 37% for $135,001-$190,000, and 45% above $190,000. Commonwealth Rent Assistance is indexed on 20 March and 20 September. From 20 March 2026 the maximum is $219.40 a fortnight for a single with no children and $206.80 for a couple with no children, rising to $257.88 with one or two children and $291.48 with three or more.

The Medicare bulk billing incentive was tripled to encourage more GPs to bulk bill. Cheaper Child Care subsidy increases mean families earning under $80,000 receive 90% subsidy.

With the federal Energy Bill Relief Fund finished at the end of 2025, state and territory schemes are now the main source of energy bill help. Amounts and eligibility change every year, so treat the figures below as a starting point and confirm with your state before relying on them. NSW: Low Income Household Rebate ($285/year on electricity), Gas Rebate ($121/year), and Family Energy Rebate ($180/year for families with children). Victoria: utility relief grants of up to $650 per utility per year if you are experiencing hardship.

Queensland: $1,000 electricity rebate for eligible concession card holders. South Australia: Cost of Living Concession ($249.40/year for singles), Medical heating/cooling concession ($249.40/year).

Quick version: Western Australia: Energy Assistance Payment ($305.25/year) and Hardship Utility Grant Scheme (up to $633 per application). Tasmania: Aurora annual concession ($597/year for pensioners). These state schemes can stack with each other and with retailer hardship programs, so it is worth checking every one you might qualify for rather than assuming a single rebate is all that is available.

If you're on a low income or facing financial hardship, key Centrelink payments include: JobSeeker Payment ($808.70/fortnight single, no children), Age Pension ($1,200.90/fortnight single), Disability Support Pension ($1,200.90/fortnight single), Parenting Payment Single ($1,047.30/fortnight), Parenting Payment Partnered ($740.30/fortnight), Family Tax Benefit Part A (up to $235.48/fortnight per child under 13), Family Tax Benefit Part B (up to $200.34/fortnight where the youngest child is under 5), Commonwealth Rent Assistance (up to $219.40/fortnight for a single with no children), and Carer Payment ($1,200.90/fortnight). If you're working but struggling, you may qualify for the Low Income Health Care Card if your income is below $681/week single — this provides PBS prescription discounts, bulk billing, and transport concessions.

Use our free calculators to check your specific entitlements. The Take Home Pay Calculator shows your after-tax income including Medicare levy, HECS repayments, and tax offsets. The Superannuation Calculator verifies your employer is paying the correct 12% super.

The Rent Assistance Calculator estimates your Commonwealth Rent Assistance entitlement. The Age Pension Calculator checks your pension eligibility and rate.

The Pay Calculator verifies you are being paid correctly under your award — underpayment is common and resolving it can significantly improve your finances. All calculators are free, private, and updated for 2026 rates.