In 2025, millions of Australians are receiving additional support to help with the rising costs of living. Centrelink bonus payments like $600 for carers, $1,000 for children with disabilities, and a $300 energy rebate for every household have been confirmed. Along with these one-time bonuses, regular fortnightly payments for pensioners, job seekers, and carers have also seen increases. Here’s a breakdown of all the important updates for Centrelink recipients in 2025.
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Centrelink Bonus Payments 2025: Who Gets $300, $600, or $1,000?
The Centrelink Bonus Payments are aimed at offering immediate financial relief to those who need it most, particularly as inflation continues to affect the cost of living in Australia. In 2025, there are several key programs that Australians receiving Centrelink benefits can take advantage of.
$600 Carer Supplement (July 2025)
One of the major bonus payments for carers is the $600 Carer Supplement, which is set to be distributed in July 2025. This payment is available to individuals receiving Carer Payment or Carer Allowance and is given automatically for each person the carer looks after. So, for example, if a carer is looking after two people, they will receive $1,200 in total.
$1,000 Child Disability Assistance Payment (July 2025)
For those receiving the Carer Allowance for children under the age of 16 with a disability, a $1,000 bonus will be provided in July 2025. This payment is also automatic and is separate from the Carer Supplement, which means carers could receive up to $1,600 in total (if they care for one child with a disability).
$300 Energy Bill Relief (2025)
As part of the Energy Bill Relief Fund, every household in Australia will receive up to $300 off their electricity bills in 2025. This rebate is automatic, with no need to apply. It is part of the government’s ongoing effort to help ease cost-of-living pressures and is available to all households, including those receiving Centrelink benefits like Age Pension, Disability Pension, and JobSeeker payments.
$1,200 Centrelink Advance Payment 2025: Who Qualifies, How to Apply, and When You’ll Be Paid
WA Student Assistance Payment 2025: When will it be Paid & How Families Can Claim
Centrelink Regular Payment Increases for 2025
Alongside the one-time Centrelink Bonus Payments, many regular fortnightly payments have been increased due to inflation adjustments. These increases, which took effect in March 2025, include:
- Age Pension (Single): $1,149.00 (up by $4.60)
- Age Pension (Couple Combined): $1,732.20 (up by $7.00)
- Disability Support Pension (Single): $1,149.00 (up by $4.60)
- JobSeeker Payment (Single, No Kids): $789.90 (up by $3.10)
- Carer Payment (Single): $1,149.00 (up by $4.60)
- Carer Allowance: $159.30 (up by $5.80, from January 2025)
These increases are intended to help recipients cope with the rising costs of living. Additionally, Rent Assistance has seen a significant boost, which will benefit many recipients.
What’s Not Happening in 2025: No Extra Cash Bonuses
There have been circulating rumours on social media about new random bonus payments ranging from $750 to $1,800 for pensioners and concession card holders. However, Services Australia has confirmed that these rumours are false. There are no unannounced bonus payments for 2025. Any real bonus payments or rebates are officially announced on government websites like servicesaustralia.gov.au and dss.gov.au.
Centrelink Support for 2025: What to Expect
For 2025, the government has committed to ongoing support through rebates, regular payment increases, and specific bonus payments like the $600 Carer Supplement and the $1,000 Child Disability Assistance Payment. Here’s a quick recap of the key Centrelink support available for recipients in 2025:
- Carer Supplement: $600 (for eligible carers) – Paid in July 2025
- Child Disability Assistance: $1,000 per child (for carers of children under 16 with disabilities) – Paid in July 2025
- Energy Rebate: $300 (for all households, including Centrelink recipients) – Paid throughout 2025
- Regular Payment Increases: Small increases to Age Pension, Disability Support Pension, JobSeeker, and Carer Payments – Effective from March 2025
Centrelink Support in 2025: Key Takeaways
- The $600 Carer Supplement and the $1,000 Child Disability Assistance Payment will be paid automatically to eligible recipients in July 2025.
- Energy rebates will provide up to $300 off electricity bills throughout 2025 for all households, including those on Centrelink payments.
- Regular fortnightly payments for pensioners, carers, job seekers, and others have been increased to keep pace with inflation, with specific amounts based on individual circumstances.
- Be cautious of rumours about extra bonus payments – only officially confirmed support is real, as outlined by the Australian government.
As always, it’s important for Centrelink recipients to stay informed through official government resources to ensure they receive all the support they are eligible for in 2025.