The Guides to Social Policy Law is a collection of publications designed to assist decision makers administering social policy law. The information contained in this publication is intended only as a guide to relevant legislation/policy. The information is accurate as at the date listed at the bottom of the page, but may be subject to change. To discuss individual circumstances please contact Services Australia.

5.2.2.20 Additional payments - April 1943 to March 2018

Summary

This topic contains 5 tables of rates for additional payments covering the periods from:

Table Number Explanation
1 1 April 1943 to 8 October 1969
2 9 October 1969 to 3 October 1973
3 4 October 1973 to 8 January 1986
4 9 January 1986 to 23 December 1987
5 9 January 1986 to 31 December 1992
6 RA for pensioners from 1 January 1993 to 20 March 2018

Table 1: Additional payment rates from 1 April 1943 to 8 October 1969

This table shows the rates in dollars per annum.

Date
Note A		 Additional pension children
($ p.a.)		 Child's allowance
($ p.a.)		 Mother's or guardian's (1.1.G.80) allowance
($ p.a.)		 RA
Note T
($ p.a.)		 Wife allowance
($ p.a.)
01/04/1943 - 26.00 Note B - - 78.00 Note C
03/07/1947 - 26.00 Note D - - 104.00 Note E
29/06/1949 - 46.00 - - 124.80
01/11/1951 - 59.80 - - 156.00
02/10/1952 - 59.80 - - 182.00
11/10/1956 52 Note F 59.80 - - 182.00
23/10/1958 52 59.80 - 52 Note G 182.00
05/10/1961 52 78.00 - 52 247.00
03/10/1963 78 78.00 Note H - 52 312.00
14/10/1965 78 Note I 78.00 Note J 208 Note K 104 Note L 312.00 Note M
10/10/1968 130 abolished Note N 208 104 364.00

Notes for Table 1

Note Explanation
A The dates on which the new rates were applied.
B Child allowance became payable to invalid pensioners in respect of one child under 16 years in their custody, care and control.
C Wife allowance became payable to wives of invalid pensioners.
D Child allowance was extended to permanently incapacitated or permanently blind Age pensioners.
E Wife allowance was extended to wives of permanently incapacitated or permanently blind Age pensioners.
F Additional pension was introduced for each child under the age of 16 years in custody, care and control after the first.
G RA (previously called supplementary assistance) was introduced for recipients who were paying rent (1.1.R.160) and were entirely dependent on their pensions.
H Child allowance was extended to include a child over 16 years until the end of the calendar year in which he or she reached 18 years, if the child was dependent on the pensioner and was receiving full-time education.
I Additional pension for children after the first was extended to an Age pensioner with the custody, care and control of one or more children under the age of 16 years. It was also extended to cover student children to age 21 years.
J Child allowance was extended to an Age pensioner with the custody, care and control of one or more children under the age of 16 years. It was also extended to cover student children to age 21 years.
K Mother's or guardian's allowance was provided as an increase in the standard rate of pension payable to an unmarried pensioner with the custody, care and control of one or more children under the age of 16 years.
L RA - a means test was introduced under which the maximum rate was reduced by the amount by which means as assessed exceeds $52.00. Eligibility was extended to include the married pensioner whose wife receives a wife allowance.
M Wife allowance eligibility extended to the wife of any Age pensioner with a dependent child (1.1.D.70).
N As of 10 October 1968 child allowance was abolished and incorporated with additional pension for children.

Table 2: Additional payment rates from 9 October 1969 to 3 October 1973

This table shows the rates in dollars per annum.

Date
Note A		 Additional pension for children
($ p.a.)		 Mother's or guardian's allowance ($ p.a.) RA
Note T
($ p.a.)		 Wife allowance
($ p.a.)
Child under 6 or invalid Note P Child 6 and over
09/10/1969 130 or 182 Note O 312 208 104 364.00
07/10/1971 234 312 208 104 416.00
05/10/1972 234 312 208 208 Note Q abolished Note R
23/03/1973 Note S  - -

Notes for Table 2

Notes Explanation
O Additional pension for second and subsequent children was increased to $182.00.
P Mother's or guardian's allowance was increased to $312.00 where the pensioner had a child under 6 years of age, or an invalid child under 16 years of age requiring full-time care.
Q With the increase in rate, provision was made to pay RA to married pensioner couples, each to receive one half of the allowance that would be payable to an unmarried pensioner.
R As of 5 October 1972 wife allowance was abolished and replaced by WP.
S The upper age limit of 21 years for a full-time student to attract mother's or guardian's allowance and additional pension was removed.
T Prior to 5 September 1985 RA was known as 'supplementary assistance'.

Act reference: SSAct section 9(1)-'pensioner couple'

Table 3: Additional payment rates from 4 October 1973 to 8 January 1986

This table shows the rates in dollars per annum.

Date
Note U		 Additional pension for children
($ p.a.)		 Mother's or guardian's allowance ($ p.a.) RA
Note EE
($ p.a.)
Child under 6 or invalid Child 6 and over
04/10/1973 234 Note V 312 208 208 Note V
14/11/1974 286 312 208 260 Note W
01/05/1975 364 312 208 260
13/11/1975 390 312 208 260
09/11/1978 390 Note X 312 208 260
06/11/1980 520 416 312 260
11/02/1982 520 416 312 416 Note Y
04/11/1982 520 416 312 520 Note Z
03/11/1983 624 416 312 520
03/05/1984 624 416 Note AA ‑
01/11/1984 728 520 780 Note BB
21/03/1985 728 520 780 Note CC
14/11/1985 832 520 780

Notes for Table 3

Notes Explanation
U The dates on which the new rates were applied.
V Although Age for persons over 75 years of age became free of means test, additional pension for children, mother's or guardian's allowance and RA continued to be subject to a means test.
W The increase in the rate of RA applied on the principle that the rate would not exceed the amount of rent paid. No existing payments were reduced as a result of the adoption of this principle.
X Payment of additional pension in respect of a dependent full-time student ceased at an upper age limit of 25 years.
Y The maximum rate of RA (1.1.M.60) was increased to $8.00 per week (one half was paid to each member of a pensioner couple) and the rules for payment were changed. The rate of RA payable was:
  • half the amount of rent in excess of $10.00 per week to the maximum of $8.00 per week, and
  • less half income (combined income per husband and wife) apart from pension. (Entitlement ceased when income reached $16.00 per week.)

RA was not payable where the rent was paid to a State or Australian Government Housing Authority. A savings provision protected payments current at 1 February 1982.
Z The maximum rate of RA was increased to $10.00 per week. The rate of RA payable was:
  • half the amount of rent in excess of $10.00 per week to a maximum of $10.00 per week, and
  • less half the income (combined income for a husband and wife) apart from pension (entitlement ceased when income reached $20.00 per week).
AA Mother's or guardian's allowance paid at uniform rate regardless of age and health of children.
BB The maximum rate of RA increased to $15.00 per week. The rate of RA payable was:
  • half the amount of rent in excess of $10.00 per week to a maximum of $15.00 per week, and
  • less half the income (combined income for a husband and wife) apart from pension.

Entitlement ceased when income reached $30.00 per week. The savings provision which applied on 1 February 1982 still applied.
CC From the introduction of the assets (1.1.A.290) test on 21 March 1985, persons whose rates are determined under the assets test are ineligible for RA.

Table 4: Additional payment rates from 9 January 1986 to 23 December 1987

This table shows the rates in dollars per annum.

Date
Note U		 Additional pension for children ($ p.a.) Mother's/ guardian's allowance
($ p.a.)		 RA
Note EE
($ p.a.)
Under 16 Student 16 and over
09/01/1986 832 728 Note DD 520 780
01/05/1986 832 728 624 780
13/11/1986 884 728 624 780
25/12/1986 884 728 624 780 Note FF
08/01/1987 884 728 624 780
09/07/1987 884 728 624 780 Note HH

Notes for Table 4

Notes Explanation
DD The lower rate of additional pension is payable for a child aged 16 years or over where the child receives payments under the Tertiary Education Assistance Scheme, or where payments under the Secondary Allowances Scheme are being made in respect of the child.
EE Prior to 5 September 1985 RA was known as 'supplementary assistance'.
FF From 25 December 1986 the rate of RA payable was:
  • half the amount of rent in excess of $15.00 per week, to a maximum of $15.00 per week, and
  • less half the income (combined income for a husband and wife) apart from pension.
GG The range of education allowances which result in the lower rate of additional pension being payable was amended from 8 January 1987 to:
  • austudy payment
  • AIC Scheme, and
  • Veterans' Children Education Scheme.
HH From 9 July 1987 RA became an increase to the basic rate of pension, rather than a separate entitlement. Also from 9 July 1987, the separate income test applying to RA was removed.

Table 5: Additional payment rates from 9 January 1986 to 31 December 1992

This table shows the rates in dollars per annum.

Date
Note U		 Additional pension for children ($ p.a.) Mother's/ guardian's allowance ($ p.a.) RA ($ p.a.)
Under 13 13-15 Student 16 and over
24/12/1987 1,144 1,456 884 624 780
22/12/1988 1,248 1,612 884 624 780
22/06/1989 1,248 1,612 884 624 780 or 1,040
06/07/1989 1,248 1,773.20 884 624 780 or 1,040
21/12/1989 1,248 1,773.20 884 624 1,040 or 1,300
04/01/1990 1,255.80 Note II 1,833 884 670.80 1,040 or 1,300
21/06/1990 1,255.80 1,833 884 670.80 1,300, 1,560 or 1,820
27/09/1990 1,255.00 1,833 884 670.80 1,560, 1,820 or 2,080
03/01/1991 1,378.00 2,009.80 884 722.80 1,560, 1,820 or 2,080
28/03/1991 1,378.00 2,009.80 884 722.80 1,612, 1,882.40 or 2,150.20 Note JJ
02/01/1992 1,424.80 2,077.40 884 746.20 1,612, 1,882.40 or 2,150.20
26/03/1992 1,424.80 2,077.40 884 746.20 1,635.40, 1,911.00 or 2,181.40
03/04/1992 1,580.80 2,233.40 884 746.20 1,635.40, 1,911.00 or 2,181.40
24/09/1992 1,580.80 2,233.40 884 746.20 1,635.40, 1,913.60 or 2,184.40
01/01/1993 Note KK Note LL Note MM

Notes for Table 5

Note Explanation
II From 1 January 1990 additional pension for children apart from student children and mother's or guardian's allowance became subject to annual indexation (1.1.I.100).
JJ From March 1991 RA became subject to twice yearly indexation (March and September).
KK Additional family payment (AFP) replaced additional pension, allowance or benefit for children from 1 January 1993. See 5.2.4.30 Family allowance, family allowance supplement and additional family payment rates - December 1987 to June 2000.
LL From 1 January 1993 guardian allowance (GA) is paid as an add-on to AFP and not with payment of pension, allowance or benefit. GA is payable to a person who is:
  • not a member of a couple (1.1.M.120)
  • a member of a couple whose partner has been imprisoned for at least 14 days, or
  • is a member of an illness separated couple or respite care couple, and
  • is entitled to AFP for a child or children.
MM From 1 January 1993 RA for pensioners with children is paid as an add-on to AFP and not with payment of a pension, allowance or benefit.

Table 6: RA for pensioners from 1 January 1993 to 20 March 2018

This table shows the rates in dollars per annum.

Date
Note U		 RA ($ p.a.) Comment
Couple Single
01/01/1993 1,638.00 1,638.00 Note MM
20/03/1993 1,638.20 1,747.20 Note NN
20/09/1993 1,664.00 1,768.00 -
20/03/1994 1,674.40 1,778.40 -
20/09/1994 1,695.20 1,799.20 -
20/03/1995 1,721,20 1,825.20 -
20/09/1995 1,773.20 1,882.40 -
20/03/1996 1,809.60 1,918.80 -
20/09/1996 1,830.40 1,939.60 -
20/03/1997 1,835.60 1,944.80 -
  Couple Single Sharer Note OO
01/07/1997 1,835.60 1,944.80 1,294.80 -
20/09/1997 1,835.60 1,944.80 1,294.80 -
20/03/1998 1,835.60 1,944.80 1,294.80 -
20/09/1998 1,846.00 1,955.20 1,305.20 -
20/03/1999 1,856.40 1,970.80 1,315.60 -
20/09/1999 1,861.60 1,976.00 1,318.20 -
20/03/2000 1,887.60 2,007.20 1,339.00 -
01/07/2000 2,074.80 2,210.00 1,474.20 Note PP
20/09/2000 2,111.20 2,246.40 1,497.60 -
20/03/2001 2,152.80 2,288.00 1,526.20 -
20/09/2001 2,194.40 2,329.60 1,552.20 -
20/03/2002 2,220.40 2,355.60 1,570.40 -
20/09/2002 2,256.80 2,392.00 1,594.58 -
20/03/2003 2,288.00 2,423.20 1,615.38 -
20/09/2003 2,319.20 2,454.40 1,636.18 -
20/03/2004 2,345.20 2,480.40 1,653.60 -
20/09/2004 2,376.40 2,516.80 1,677.78 -
20/03/2005 2,402.40 2,548.00 1,698.58 -
20/09/2005 2,433.60 2,579.20 1,719.38 -
20/03/2006 2,470.00 2,615.60 1,743.82 -
20/09/2006 2,532.40 2,683.20 1,788.80 -
20/03/2007 2,553.20 2,704.00 1,802.58 -
20/09/2007 2,584.40 2,740.40 1,827.02 -
20/03/2008 2,626.00 2,787.20 1,858.22 -
20/09/2008 2,698.80 2,865.20 1,910.22 -
20/03/2009 2,724.80 2,891.20 1,927.38 -
20/09/2009 2,740.40 2,906.80 1,937.78 -
20/03/2010 2,782.00 2,948.40 1,965.60 -
20/09/2010 2,823.60 2,995.20 1,996.80 -
20/03/2011 2,854.80 3,026.40 2,017.60 -
20/09/2011 2,927.60 3,104.40 2,069.60 -
20/03/2012 2,943.20 3,125.20 2,083.38 -
20/09/2012 2,958.80 3,146.00 2,097.42 -
20/03/2013 3,005.60 3,198.00 2,132.00 -
20/09/2013 3,031.60 3,224.00 2,149.42 -
20/03/2014 3,088.80 3,286.40 2,191.02 -
20/09/2014 3,120.00 3,317.60 2,211.73 -
20/03/2015 3,140.80 3,338.40 2,225.60 -
20/09/2015 3,166.80 3,364.40 2,243.02 -
20/03/2016 3,192.80 3,390.40 2,260.18 -
20/09/2016 3,198.00 3,395.60 2,263.73 -
20/03/2017 3,239.60 3,437.20 2,291.38 -
20/09/2017 3,260.40 3,458.00 2,305.42 -
20/03/2018 3,302.00 3,504.80 2,336.62 -

Please refer to 5.2.6.10 for RA rates after 20 March 2018.

Notes for Table 6

Note Explanation
NN From 20 March 1993, 5 main changes to RA took effect:
  • the maximum rate of RA for single pensioners without children increased by an extra $4.00 a fortnight (this rate also applies to couples who are separated due to illness or in respite care)
  • a new structure of thresholds was introduced according to marital status and family types
  • these thresholds are indexed twice yearly, commencing from 20 September 1993
  • the accrual rate increased from 50c to 75c for each dollar of rent paid over the threshold (up to the maximum amount), and
  • a savings provision ensured that existing pensioners (at 20 March 1993) did not receive less RA as a result of these changes.
OO From 1 July 1997 a new, lower rate became payable to single people without dependents sharing rented accommodation with others. This is equivalent to 2/3 of the normal single, no children rate.
PP From 1 July 2000, as part of the Government's tax reform compensation measures, the maximum rates of RA were increased by 10%.

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