Beginning August 17, 2025, over 2.5 million Australians participating in various pension schemes will automatically receive an additional $280. This one-off payment will be provided in the Age Pension, Disability Support Pension, Carer Payment and other relevant programs. This is in an effort to assist in the rising cost of living as well as provide additional support before the winter season. The Australian government announced the provision in its mid-year Economic Statement released on 24 November, 2022, stressing the focus on low-income retirees and low-income workers.
The announcement comes in the wake of the continuous increase in the Consumer Price Index which includes the cost of essentials such as electricity, groceries and fuel. Earning on a fixed income, pensioners are severely impacted by these cost increases. Linda Chan, a representative of the Seniors Rights Network, noted, “Receiving this payment in August will help cover winter heating bills and grocery costs.”
Who Qualifies for the $280 Bonus?
Qualification criteria is almost the same as that for the pension scheme: you must be in receipt of one of the relevant Centrelink payments in the first full week of August 2025. The income and asset tests are the same. There are no additional forms to be filled, as long as you qualify, the eligibility is automatic per the Centrelink guidelines.
Lightning Fast Distribution with No Extra Hassle
Centrelink has confirmed that no forms need to be lodged, nor does anyone need to make an appointment, as payments will be deposited on the specified date. Those with multiple qualifying payments will still receive a maximum of one bonus per account, hence a person receiving both Carer Payment and Parenting Payment will only receive one $280 bonus.
For recipients, they will be able to cross check after Aug 17 whether they received the payment, and, in the case of no payment after 5 business days, reach out to the National Information Line on 132 468.
Impact and Community Response
Most Age Pension advocacy groups have welcomed the additional payments, but have continued to lobby for a permanent increase in the base pension rate. “One off payments provide short term relief, but a sustainable rise to the pension rate will provide much better and longer term protection for older Australians from ever increasing costs,” states Helen Roberts from the National Seniors China Forum. Economists do warn, however, that there is a danger of inflation with an ever increasing rate of payments of such nature.
