From 1 January 2025, thousands of South Australians living in shared accommodation will become eligible for a range of household concessions, following significant changes to the eligibility criteria. These adjustments aim to provide greater financial relief to renters who have been excluded under the existing system, particularly those in low-income households where eligibility has been restricted based on the income of housemates or specific tenancy agreements.
Under the current rules, renters living in shared accommodation may lose access to key financial concessions like the energy concession and the Cost-of-Living Concession (COLC) if their housemate earns above a set income threshold. For instance, if a housemate earns more than $24,000 per year, the renter may not qualify for assistance, even if they themselves are on a low income. The current system has left many people in shared accommodation without the support they need, especially when their eligibility is dependent on another household member’s income.
The new system, which will take effect in January, will remove the co-resident income assessment, meaning that a person’s eligibility for concessions will no longer be determined by their housemate’s earnings. This change is particularly significant for people in households that rely on a mix of incomes, such as an elderly parent living with an adult child who works part-time. Under the old rules, these renters could lose vital financial relief, even if their housemate earned a small income.
The changes are seen as an effort to make the system fairer and more inclusive, addressing concerns raised by a 2023 review into South Australia’s concessions program. The review found that many people in shared accommodation, particularly those with low or mixed incomes, were missing out on financial support due to restrictive eligibility criteria. By removing the income assessment for housemates, the new system is designed to provide more consistent support to those in need.
The reforms will also benefit people living in Supported Residential Facilities (SRFs) and rooming houses. Currently, only one person per household in these types of accommodation is eligible for the COLC, despite the fact that many residents are on low incomes. Under the new rules, multiple residents within the same accommodation can now access the concession, helping to address the financial needs of those in these more vulnerable living situations.
These changes have been welcomed by advocates and organisations that support people in low-income housing. For example, Karen Aistrope, CEO of Carrington Cottages, an organisation that provides housing for low-income individuals, expressed her support for the reforms. “Across our buildings alone, we support 103 rooms for individuals and couples experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness. Many of these residents have been excluded from financial support because they share the same address, despite being in dire need of assistance,” Aistrope said. “For our tenants, this support will help them meet basic needs like food, clothing, and utility bills, as they await affordable housing.”
The expansion of eligibility for concessions is part of a wider effort to address the growing financial pressures faced by low-income households in South Australia. Rising energy prices, housing costs, and other living expenses have placed significant strain on many households, and the government has been working to expand access to financial relief. The new measures aim to help alleviate some of the burden, providing essential support to renters who might otherwise struggle to make ends meet.
However, while the changes have been generally well-received, they also raise questions about the long-term sustainability of the state’s concessions program. Critics have expressed concerns about the financial strain that the expansion of eligibility may place on the system, especially as demand for cost-of-living support continues to grow. The government’s ongoing investments in concessions have been met with praise, but some believe that additional structural reforms may be necessary to address the root causes of affordability issues in the state.
The decision to introduce these changes follows a broader national conversation about cost-of-living pressures, with many Australians facing challenges in meeting basic expenses. The expanded eligibility for concessions is expected to help thousands of South Australians who have been overlooked under the current system, providing them with a much-needed safety net as they navigate these financial difficulties.
Applications for the 2025/26 Cost-of-Living Concession will be assessed based on the household situation as of 1 July 2025, with payments set to be made in August. For more information, people can contact the Concessions Hotline or visit the official government website.
The changes to the eligibility criteria for South Australia’s concessions program reflect a growing awareness of the diverse living situations that people face, and a move towards a more flexible and inclusive system of financial support. While the immediate impact of these reforms is positive, the broader conversation about tackling rising living costs is expected to continue as South Australians look for more long-term solutions to affordability challenges.
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