Every year, billions of dollars in Australian government entitlements go unclaimed. Not because people aren't struggling, but because the system is genuinely hard to navigate. Here are five payments that are commonly overlooked — and who can actually get them.
1. Rent Assistance
If you receive a Centrelink payment (like JobSeeker, Parenting Payment, or Youth Allowance) and you pay rent privately, you're likely entitled to Rent Assistance on top of your existing payment.
The maximum rate is over $180 per fortnight for singles, and higher for families. Yet many people receiving Centrelink payments don't realise this supplement exists — or assume it only applies if you're on very low income.
Who qualifies: Anyone already receiving a qualifying Centrelink payment who rents privately, in a share house, or in a caravan park.
2. Energy Bill Relief
Most Australian states run rebate programs that reduce electricity and gas bills for eligible households. These are separate from the federal Energy Bill Relief Fund and often go unclaimed because they require a separate application.
- Victoria: Power Saving Bonus, Utility Relief Grant
- NSW: Low Income Household Rebate, Family Energy Rebate
- QLD: Cost of Living Rebate, Home Energy Emergency Assistance
- SA, WA, TAS: Similar programs under different names
Who qualifies: Varies by state, but often: concession card holders, families with children, low-income households.
3. Family Tax Benefit (Both Parts)
Family Tax Benefit is split into Part A (per child, based on family income) and Part B (for single-income families or single parents). Many families claim one but not the other.
Part B in particular is missed by families where one parent works part-time or not at all. The income threshold is higher than most people expect — a family can earn up to around $100,000 combined and still receive some benefit.
Who qualifies: Families with children under 16 (or under 20 if in full-time study), subject to income tests.
4. The Low Income Health Care Card
The Low Income Health Care Card (LIHCC) gives you access to cheaper medicines under the PBS, bulk-billed GP visits (at many practices), and discounts on some state government services.
It's available to people not receiving Centrelink — you apply based on your income alone. Many working adults on modest wages, students, and sole traders qualify but have never applied.
Who qualifies: Individuals earning under approximately $31,000/year (or families with equivalent combined income after adjustments).
5. State Cost of Living Payments
Beyond federal programs, every state government runs its own suite of support payments. These change frequently and often go unadvertised:
- Concession card discounts on council rates, vehicle registration, and public transport
- Vouchers for school expenses, sport, and activities
- Grants for home energy upgrades (insulation, solar, hot water systems)
- Emergency relief payments for unexpected hardship
These are the easiest to miss because they're administered by multiple agencies and rarely appear in a single place.
The Bigger Picture
The reason these payments go unclaimed isn't laziness — it's that Australia's welfare system is fragmented across federal, state, and local government, with different agencies, different eligibility criteria, and different application processes.
The best thing you can do is run a proper eligibility check rather than guessing. AusSchemes pulls together 230+ schemes and checks your profile against all of them at once.