Budget 2024: Everything we know (so far) and how it could save you money
Tax cuts, a HECS adjustment and housing help are badly needed in a cost of living crisis.
The federal government will reveal the 2024 federal budget on Tuesday May 14. There's still a lot we don't know, but the government has started drip feeding bits and pieces to the media via speeches and announcements.
The budget is important, especially in the middle of a cost of living crisis that's affecting almost every Australian.
Here's a quick roundup of the major announcements and changes that will hopefully make your life easier or put more money in your pocket.
Student debt relief
This one has been confirmed already: the government will reduce last year's massive 7.1% HECS-HELP indexation. And this year's indexation will be lower as well.
The changes could save the average person with student debt around $1,200.
The government has also announced a new payment to cover professional placements for studying to be teachers, nurses, midwives and social workers.
The tax cuts
The previous government had already planned a tax cut for many Australians. Earlier this year, the current government announced some changes: bigger cuts for middle income earners, smaller cuts for the top end of town.
Now, the average Australian earner could be paying around $1,700 less in tax from 1 July.
The housing crisis
This should be a big focus of the budget. Housing is scarce and expensive for many Australians, whether you're renting or buying.
Part of the plan is an already announced $90.6 million boost to the construction industry in the form of training support for more construction workers.
If you want more homes built, you need more people to build them.
The treasurer has said there will be more announcements about housing in Tuesday's budget. Let's hope so.
Welfare
Welfare groups, economists and the government's own Economic Inclusion Advisory Committee have called for a bigger increase to Jobseeker payments.
Currently the maximum a single, eligible unemployed person with no children can get is $762.70 a fortnight.
The treasurer suggested yesterday that there would be some boosts to welfare, but did say in a recent statement that "we can't fund every good idea and everything we would like to do."
The government has also announced payments of up to $5,000 to help victims of domestic violence leave abusive homes.
Paid super in parental leave
Anyone taking 20 weeks of paid government parental leave will now get super paid for those weeks.
There are many other possible details in the budget that could put more dollars in our pockets (or rather, stop the dollars we have from flying out of our pockets).
There could be rental assistance, energy bill relief or more housing or welfare support.
Energy bill relief
While we don't have details yet, the treasurer has hinted that energy bill relief is on the table again for the 2024 budget.
In last year's budget the government announced up to $500 in relief for eligible households.
Struggling to save? Check out our helpful money saving tips guide.