The Australia $850 Cost of Living Payment 2025 is a government measure to help eligible residents manage inflation and rising household costs.
Eligibility Criteria
- Recipients of certain Centrelink payments, including Age Pension, Disability Support Pension, Carer Payment, JobSeeker Payment, Parenting Payment, and Youth Allowance (Job Seekers).
- Must be an Australian resident and meet required payment conditions on the specified cut-off date.
- Subject to income and asset tests based on the type of payment.
- For couples or families, each eligible member may receive the payment.
Payment Amount
- Payment is a one-time upfront amount or split into two or more installments, depending on the government’s announcement for 2025.
- Designed to reduce costs on necessities such as food, fuel, and utilities.
Deposit Dates
- Payments will be automatically credited by the end of October or the first week of November 2025.
- No additional application is required; payments are made alongside standard Centrelink benefits.
- Recipients will be notified via SMS or email from official Centrelink channels (short code 1994).
Summary Table
| Eligibility Criteria | Payment Amount | Payment Schedule |
|---|---|---|
| Eligible Centrelink recipients | $850 per individual | Automatically credited end of October / first week of November 2025 |
| Income and asset tests apply | Varies depending on eligibility | As above |
FAQs
Q: Who is eligible?
A: Individuals receiving eligible Centrelink payments on the cut-off date.
Q: How do I get the payment?
A: It is automatically credited along with your regular Centrelink benefits.
Q: What if I don’t receive it?
A: Contact Centrelink to check your eligibility and ensure the payment was not missed.
The $850 Cost of Living Payment 2025 is a targeted financial relief measure to help eligible households in Australia offset the impact of inflation and rising living costs, with deposits scheduled for late October and early November 2025.
