From January 1st, South Australians are experiencing a range of new and expanded cost-of-living measures, instated by the SA Government to alleviate household financial pressures. Several initiatives targeting health, education, and household utilities have been launched with the dawn of 2025, aiming to support the most vulnerable factions of the community.
The new measures include providing concession travel on public transport to Health Care Card holders, a move that will significantly reduce travel expenses for eligible South Australians. Families are set to benefit from a revised material and services subsidy, offering $200 per public school student, easing the financial burdens of educational expenses.
Suitable adjustments have also been made to include South Australians living in shared housing within the household concessions framework. This decision ensures that individuals, including those with disabilities residing in such accommodations, can receive their rightful benefits.
The government has also sought to address healthcare by extending the eligibility for the GlassesSA subsidy. This initiative aims to assist more citizens with the costs associated with acquiring new glasses each year.
Further enhancements have been applied to various other programs. Modifications include extending the Emergency Electricity Payment Scheme to assist an additional 1,300 households experiencing difficulty in managing their electricity bills. The expansion of the funeral assistance scheme and the asset threshold increase from $3000 to $4000 are also notable inclusions.
For the roughly 10,000 Companion Card holders, improved access to Changing Places facilities has been facilitated. Home Dialysis Concessions have been upgraded as well to provide better support for individuals undergoing dialysis at home. The provision of concessions for about 500 asylum seekers marks an important step towards inclusive support for all community members.
These new implementations are additional to ongoing initiatives maintained by the Malinauskas Government, which include a Commonwealth energy bill relief providing $300 per household, doubled living concessions, and free public transport for Seniors Card holders.
Premier Peter Malinauskas spoke about the government’s commitment, stating, “We are committed to supporting our most vulnerable when they need it most.” He highlighted the focus on families, underscoring the importance of supporting engagement in enrichment activities such as sports and music, “We’re also helping South Australian families at a time when every dollar saved counts, and when kids need more encouragement than ever to engage in sports and music.“
Treasurer Stephen Mullighan acknowledged the widespread economic pressures affecting not only South Australia but the nation. He stressed the governmental resolve to aid those hardest hit by financial strain, “We are aware of the current strain on households, not just in South Australia but across the country, and we’re determined to help those in the community who need it the most.”
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