澳大利亚上调多项社会保障支付 530万人将获益

澳大利亚政府宣布从2024年9月20日起实施社会保障支付指数调整，超过530万人将获得提高的福利金额1。此次调整投入40亿澳元用于缓解民众生活成本压力1。

养老金、失业救济金、青年津贴、育儿补助、ABSTUDY以及租赁援助等多项支付均获得上调1。其中，单身养老金最高每双周增加36.80澳元至1,237.70澳元1；单身无子女失业救济金每双周增加16.20澳元至833.70澳元1；单身育儿补助最高每双周增加20.90澳元至1,087.20澳元1；单身无子女租赁援助每双周增加4.40澳元至223.80澳元1。

政府同时提高了社会保障资产评估利率，从1.25%上升至1.75%，该利率适用于资产不超过66,800澳元的单身人士或资产不超过110,600澳元的夫妇1。社会服务部长Tanya Plibersek表示，这些措施"将帮助澳大利亚人支付房租、购买食物或支付日常账单"1。然而，澳大利亚社会服务委员会首席执行官Cassandra Goldie指出，"仅靠定期指数调整不足以将人们从贫困和匮乏中拉出来"1。

The Australian government has announced an indexation adjustment to social security payments effective September 20, 2024, benefiting over 5.3 million people across the country 1. The adjustment represents a A$4 billion investment in cost-of-living relief, with increases applied across multiple payment types including pensions, unemployment benefits, youth allowances, parenting payments, ABSTUDY, and rental assistance 1.

Eligible recipients will see varying increases depending on their circumstances. Single pensioners will receive an additional A$36.80 per fortnight, bringing their payment to A$1,237.70 1. Unemployed single people without dependent children will gain A$16.20 per fortnight to reach A$833.70 1. Single parents receiving parenting payment will see an increase of up to A$20.90 per fortnight, totaling A$1,087.20 1. Rental assistance for single people without children will rise by A$4.40 per fortnight to A$223.80 1.

Beyond payment increases, the government has also adjusted the assets test interest rate for social security purposes, raising it from 1.25 percent to 1.75 percent for assets not exceeding A$66,800 for single individuals or A$110,600 for couples 1. Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek stated that "this will help Australians pay rent, buy food or pay everyday bills" 1. However, Cassandra Goldie, CEO of the Australian Council of Social Service, cautioned that "regular indexation alone is not enough to lift people out of poverty and hardship" 1.