Millions to receive $750 Centrelink payment from today
An extra $750 will hit the bank accounts of millions of Australians from today as the government starts paying out on its promised coronavirus stimulus package.
The one-off payment is tax free and designed to soften the blow of economic fallout related to COVID-19.
It's estimated the measure will cost taxpayers $4.8 billion, but it's just a small part of the Federal Government's $320 billion coronavirus support package.
The government has said most eligible Australians will start receiving the payment from March 31 to April 17 this year.
"From today, more than 6.8 million Australians will receive the first Economic Support Payment," Government Services Minister Robert said.
"The payment is providing immediate support to lower income Australians."
READ MORE: Australia's $1500 'Job Keeper' payment explained: How it works
Millions of Australians will starting receiving a $750 payment from today. Nine
Who is eligible?
The payment is for people receiving a large range of government benefits and will automatically be paid out – you don't need to do anything.
"This includes recipients on Newstart, the disability support pension, carers' allowance, youth allowance, veterans support payments, family tax benefits, the Commonwealth senior health card-holders and 2.4 million aged pensioners," Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said, when the stimulus was first announced earlier this month.
Read this article for the full list of eligible Australians.
In addition to the $750 stimulus payment, the government has also promised a second $750 payment to social security, veteran income support recipients and eligible concession cardholders.
Some people will receive both payments, with the exception of those on JobSeeker Payments, Youth Allowance, Parenting Payment, Austudy, ABSTUDY, Farm Household Allowance and Special Benefit.
Those missing out on the second lot of $750 will be instead be eligible for the Coronavirus Supplement, which will boost welfare payments by $550 per fortnight for at least six months.
The second $750 will be made automatically from 13 July 2020 onwards to eligible recipients—they will not need to apply for the payment.
Share a tip-off, video or photo with us
Most viewed in Australia
One Nation’s drastic plan to slash migration by 750,000 slammed by farmers
Sydney family’s warning after discovering father’s lost super years after his death
Australian woman who died after falling from cliff near Bali was Queensland ecologist
The suspect in the Fiji resort murder of Australian man Jason Rigby
