Feb 04 2009
One-Off Bonus from Government for Australians
The Australian Federal government is joining the worldwide economic bail out - it is handing out one off bonuses to working Australians. Unlike the December bonuses for beneficaries these ones are all about the working person - even those without children!
How do I get my payment?
There are five different groups targetted for the one off payments which will be paid direct into bank accounts in April or May.
If you think you are eligible make sure the ATO and /or Centrelink have your updated address and bank account details.
The theory is that people are more likely to spend a one-off payment rather than an across the board tax cut.
Who is eligible for the $950 payment?
Australians who were tax payers during the 07/08 Tax year and earned less than $100,000 ($80,000 to get the full $950, $650 for those who earned $80,000 to $90,000 and $300 for those who earned between $90,000 and $100,000). The ATO will pay automatically into your bank account.
Even if you are no longer an Australian resident if you were an Australian tax resident during the 07/08 year you will be eligible. You need to have had some tax liability in the year as well.
Families who had one main income earner also receive $950. All families currently receiving the Family Tax Benefit Part B (FTB-B) are eligible and will be paid automatically by Centrelink.
Farmers and farm dependent small businesses who are in the drought affected areas also receive $950. Payment will be made to those already receiving Exceptional Circumstances and other hardship payments
A back to school bonus of $950 per a child for low income families already receiving the Family Tax Benefit Part A (FTB-A)
A $950 bonus for students and unemployed returning to study paid to recipiants of Austudy and Youth Allowances.
So for most people April is going to be a nice payment of $950 plus for the trouble of having done some work in the last year. The pensioners and other beneficaries miss out this time - but practically everyone else is looking to get some cash back from the government! This is the people’s bailout
11 Responses to “One-Off Bonus from Government for Australians”
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Hi Lis - Thank you for letting me know about this but I don’t think that we are eligible as we are on a temporary (457) visa. We weren’t entitled to the family bonuses at Christmas either and we also aren’t eligible for any family benefits at all!
hi, i was working last year but now i am on centrelink payments and i was just wondering if i am entitled to get the payout, i’ve been looking for info but can’t sem to find an answer.
Hi Graham I have been trying to find out the same thing. I am assuming (hopefully) that because they have’nt provided any information about that circustance that it is not needed and we will get it, fingers crossed the only way i think we will find out any info about this is to call the ATO on 132 861 let us on here know if you find out any info and i will do the same if i have any luck. Good luck and i hope we get it we all need it lol
Hi just wondering i know that i am entitled to the payout from the government but am i getting it twice because i am low income student on austtudy? i am almost 19 years of age. what the? please someone reply to this so i know if you know. thanks
emma
Only if you made more than $11k and below $80k last tax year!
Hey does anyone know if we are eligable for the payout. We are on a 4yr skilled work visa(457) and have been working since Nov 07 so we did lodge a tax return last year. Here’s hoping. Thanks.
I believe you are eligible Jo so long as you an Australian tax resdient
i started working in oz in December last year does anyone know if i would be entitled to the 900 bucks from the government
No you are not eligible unless you paid Australian tax in the 07/08 tax year