New Concession Rules Bring Relief to Shared Accommodation Renters
The Malinauskas Labor Government has announced major changes to South Australia’s concessions program, ensuring more renters in shared accommodation can access financial support. From January 1, 2025, the income of housemates will no longer affect eligibility for the Energy Concession or the Cost-of-Living Concession (COLC).
Under current rules, renters lose access to concessions if a housemate earns as little as $3,000 annually or over $24,000 in the case of COLC. These restrictive criteria have excluded thousands of low-income South Australians, including pensioners with adult children or those living in rooming houses.
The changes form part of a $115 million concessions boost in the 2024-25 State Budget. This includes a bonus COLC payment of $243.90 to 212,000 households in June and a permanent doubling of COLC for renters and self-funded retirees, matching homeowner benefits.
Applications for the 2025/26 COLC will consider circumstances as of July 1 and payments will be made in August. For more details, visit sa.gov.au/concessions or call the hotline at 1800 307 758.