List of Top Grants and Benefits Offered in Australia

If you are a low-income earner and you live in any of the Australian states or territories, it is important that you understand all the different grants and benefits that are available to you.

These benefits and grants are designed to help to offset some of your current bills and help put more money into your pocket for other expenses.

Many of these grants and benefits come with income and resident requirement, but if you qualify, they can be a great financial support system for your family. Below is a look at some of the top grants and benefits split into categories.

Income Support
Low-income earners often need financial assistance on a regular basis. All of these benefits listed bellowed are paid out through the Centrelink office on a monthly or fortnightly basis.

Parenting Payment. If you are single with a child under 8-years old, or married with a child under 6-years old, you may be eligible for parenting payments. These payments can be for up to $713.20 per fortnight and are designed to help offset some of the costs associated with raising your children.

Newstart Allowance. If you have recently lost you job, you are likely eligible to receive Newstart Allowance payments. You can receive these payments for the time period you are looking for a job. You can receive between $460.90 and $713.20 per fortnight, depending on your specific situation.

Family Tax Benefit. If you have a child under 20-years old who is still in school, and that you care for at least 35 percent of the time, you may be eligible for this benefit. The exact payment amount is directly dependent on your specific situation.

Age Pension. If you are over the age of 65-years old and no longer working, you are probably eligible for Age Pension payments. Your exact payment depends on your situation, but you could receive as much as $1,270.60 per fortnight.

Household Support
You can also receive benefits to help offset some of your household expenses. This can be a great financial relief to any household.

Rent Assistance. You may be eligible to receive help paying for a portion of your regular rent payments. The exact amount of rental support you will receive depends on your income, family size, where you live, and the type of home your rent.

Home Energy Saver Scheme (HESS). If you are having problems paying your utility bills, you should contact HESS. This agency is specifically designed to help residents deal with their ever-increasing utility bills. They can help you avoid shutoff and ensure that you are receiving all the special rates and benefits you deserve.

Childcare Benefit and Childcare Rebate. These benefits can help offset the cost of childcare by covering a portion of these costs upfront or by providing a reimbursement payment.

Low or No-Interest Loans

NILS Loan. This is also known as the No-Interest Loan Scheme and provides people who have been receiving other benefits the ability to borrow up to $1,200. These loans include no interest or fees, but must be repaid within 18 months.

Matching Grants
These grants are designs to encourage low-income earners to save money. They offer matching, dollar-for-dollar grants.

AddsUP. This type of savings account can be set up after successfully paying off a NILS or StepUp loan. The government will match your savings in this account up to $500.

SaverPlus. The SaverPlus program is available to all low-income earners and helps you create a specific savings plan. Once you have made at least 10 consecutive monthly payments into this account, you will receive matching funds of up to $500.

All of these benefits are designed specifically to help low-income earners achieve financial freedom. Together, these grants and benefits can help reduce the amount of money you need to take out of your pay cheque and allow you have extra money to spend on other things or to save. It is important that you take advantage of any benefit you are eligible for to help you and your family out financially.

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