Labor’s third Budget was filled with measures aimed at easing the cost of living, with energy bill relief supplementing Stage three tax cuts. Importantly for pension clients, social security deeming rates will stay at their current levels for a further 12 months.
Superannuation was largely left unchanged although the Treasurer announced plans to pay 12 per cent super on government-funded Paid Parental Leave. For small businesses, the government announced it would extend the$20,000 small business instant asset write-off by 12 months until 30 June2025.
Below are the Budget proposals summarised for your convenience:
Energy bill relief.
All Australian households will receive an energy rebate of$300 and eligible small businesses will receive $325 from 1 July. It’s not yet known exactly when rebates will be applied to accounts.
Student debt indexation changes:
Higher Education Loan Program (HELP) loan holders will benefit from changes to indexation, with debts to be increased by the lower of inflation and wages growth. Currently, these debts are indexed to inflation annually on 1 June. The change will be backdated to 1 July 2023 and an‘ indexation credit’ may be provided to reduce outstanding loan balances. If a voluntary payment is made to reduce the HELP balance and any indexation, it’s important to leave enough time after the payment is made for it to be processed by the ATO. The ATO usually release payment cut-off dates and publish this on their website.
Freeze on cost of PBS medicines:
The maximum Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) co-payment of $7.70 will be frozen for pensioners and Commonwealth concession card holders until 31 December 2029. For all other Medicare card holders, the co-payment of$31.60 is frozen until 1 January 2026. The co-payment is the amount that must be contributed towards the cost of PBS subsidised medicines.
Tax cuts for all taxpayers:
From 1 July, 13.6 million taxpayers will pay less tax compared to the current financial year, when the re-worked Stage 3 tax cuts take effect. The table below outlines the new rates and thresholds from 1 July2024, as well as the current financial year. The tax cuts aim to provide cost-of-living relief, but may also be used to reduce debt, invest or top-up super.
Instant asset write-off extended:
Small businesses with a turnover less than $10 million will be able to claim an immediate tax deduction for the full cost of eligible assets costing less than $20,000 for another 12 months until 30 June 2025. The$20,000 threshold applies to each eligible asset purchased. Also, the asset must be first used or installed ready for use between 1 July 2024 and 30 June2025.
Super on Paid Parental Leave:
Superannuation Guarantee contributions will be paid to all recipients of Government-funded Paid Parental Leave from 1 July 2025.Contributions will be at the same rate as employer contributions under the Superannuation Guarantee, which will be 12% from 1 July 2025.
Deeming rates to stay frozen in 2024/25:
The ‘deeming rates’ that are used to assess income from financial investments (such as bank accounts, shares, and managed funds) will remain unchanged until 30 June 2025. Instead of assessing actual investment and bank account earnings, the deeming rates are used to determine the income that certain financial investments earn for the purpose of calculating entitlements to certain payments and benefits. This may benefit Age Pensioners, other income support recipients and concession card holders.
Support for renters:
On 20 September 2024, the maximum Commonwealth Rent Assistance payment will increase by 10%, in addition to the regular half-yearly indexation. Rent Assistance may be available for people who pay rent and receive certain payments from Services Australia.
More work flexibility for carers:
From 20 March 2025, Carer Payment recipients will be able to work up to 100 hours at any time in a four week period without losing their payment. This is known as the ‘participation limit’ and it’s currently a maximum of 25 hours every week. Also, travel time, education and volunteering activities will no longer count towards the participation limit; only actual hours worked.
More home care packages:
An additional 24,100 home care packages will be made available in 2024/25. These packages will provide ongoing care to help older Australians to stay in their homes for longer.
Please note: These changes are proposals only and may or may not be made law. Please do reach out If you wish to understand more about how these proposals could apply to you.