Centrelink boost of $4000 coming for thousands of Australians

Age pensioners will be able to pick up extra shifts and earn some extra cash before Christmas without losing their benefits.

New laws increase the amount they can earn by $4,000 to $11,800 from December 1 until the end of 2023 before their pension starts to taper.

It will benefit more than 50,000 pensioners in the workforce.

More than 50,000 pensioners will benefit from a change to their benefits enabling them to earn more 

The new laws also scrap the need to reapply for their payment for up to two years if they exceed the income limit.

The pension is currently cut off after the income limit is exceeded for three months.

Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth said the changes would help address crippling workforce shortages.

Around 51,000 pensioners already participating in Australia’s workforce will benefit from this increase immediately, with the hope that other pensioners will soon take up this opportunity, if they choose to,’ Ms Rishworth said.

She said pensioners were a valuable asset in the employment industry. 

‘Older workers are an untapped market, having years of knowledge and skills to offer employers,’ Ms Rishworth said.

New laws increase the amount they can earn by $4,000 to $11,800 from December 1 until the end of 2023 before their pension starts to taper (stock image)

‘Giving older Australians the choice to engage in the workforce will not only benefit them, it is also an important step towards addressing Australia’s labour shortages.’

Eligible pensioners do not need to do anything, the increase will be automatically credited into their bank.

They will be able to earn an additional $4,000 from employment income from  December 1, 2022 until December 31, 2023.

The boost comes on top of recent increases to several other Centrelink payments.

The Age and Disability Support Pensions and Carer Payment increased drastically with singles receiving $38.90 more a fortnight and couples $58.80.

The maximum rate of a pension increased with singles receiving $1,026.50 a fortnight and couples getting $1,547.60.