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.

5.2.6.40 TAL & telephone rental concession historical rates - January 1990 to present date

Rates

Until 1992 a Telephone Rental Concession (TRC) scheme was in operation. This scheme provided discount vouchers every December (for the next calendar year) to PHB pensioners and sickness beneficiaries. The Telephone Rental Concession was only available if the total household income was under a set limit, the household income limit (HIL).

TAL was introduced on 1 July 1992.

The tables show the rates in dollars per annum and per quarter and, where applicable, the HIL in dollars per week.

TRC
Date Rate per annum ($) Rate per quarter ($) HIL per week ($)
01/01/1990 48.40 12.20 215
01/01/1991 49.00 12.25 228
TAL - grandfathered rates
Note: There have been no recipients of this grandfathered rate since 2009.
Date Rate per quarter ($) Explanation
01/07/1992 12.95 (standard rate) Since 1 July 1992, a grandfathered rate of TAL has applied to certain people who were getting a social security pension or benefit before 12 March 1992 and whose partner was not getting a social security pension or benefit or was required to claim but could not or would not.
20/03/2008 12.95 (standard rate) 23.95 (higher rate) From 20 March 2008, a grandfathered higher rate of TAL was paid to eligible recipients who also subscribed to a home internet service.
TAL (Note A)
Date Rate per annum ($) Rate per quarter ($)
01/07/1992 51.80 13.00
24/09/1992 52.80 13.20
20/09/1993 54.40 13.60
20/09/1994 56.00 14.00
20/09/1995 59.20 14.80
20/09/1996 61.60 15.40
20/09/1997 62.40 15.60
20/09/1998 63.20 15.80
20/09/1999 64.00 16.00
01/07/2000 66.40 16.60
20/09/2000 68.80 17.20
20/09/2001 72.00 18.00
20/09/2002 74.40 18.60
20/09/2003 76.80 19.20
20/09/2004 79.20 19.80
20/09/2005 81.60 20.40
20/09/2006 85.60 21.40
20/09/2007 88.00 22.00
TAL (Note B)
Date Rate per annum ($) Rate per quarter ($) Higher rate per annum ($) Higher rate per quarter ($)
20/03/2008 88.00 22.00 132.00 33.00
20/09/2008 92.00 23.00 138.40 34.60
20/09/2009 93.60 23.40 140.80 35.20
20/09/2010 96.80 24.20 145.60 36.40
20/09/2011 100.80 25.20 151.20 37.80
20/09/2012 102.40 25.60 153.60 38.40
20/09/2013 105.60 26.40 157.60 39.40
20/09/2014 108.80 27.20 162.40 40.60
20/09/2015 111.20 27.80 165.60 41.40
20/09/2016 112.80 28.20 168.00 42.00
20/09/2017 115.20 28.80 171.20 42.80
20/09/2018 118.40 29.60 175.20 43.80
20/09/2019 120.80 30.20 178.40 44.60
20/09/2020
(Note C)		 120.80 30.20 178.40 44.60
20/09/2021 125.60 31.40 185.60 46.40
20/09/2022 133.60 33.40 197.60 49.40
20/09/2023 142.40 35.60 209.60 52.40

Notes

Note Explanation
A As of 1 July 1992 TAL was introduced and the household income limits no longer applied.
B From 20 March 2008 there were 2 rates of TAL - TAL and a higher rate TAL. TAL is paid to subscribers of a telephone service. The higher rate TAL is paid to eligible recipients who also subscribe to a home internet service.
C The rate of TAL did not change as CPI for the relevant indexation period was negative.

Act reference: SSAct section 8(1)-'income'

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