Cost of Living

The Challenge

More than 1 million people in NSW are living in poverty.
Rising cost-of-living pressures continue to severely impact households across NSW, particularly those living in low-income households and below the poverty line.
These households are under increasing pressure, forced to go without meals and other essentials, such as prescribed medication or healthcare, and hygiene items.

$188.8M Bulk Billing Support Initiative to incentivise GPs to increase bulk billing.
$100M to expand existing energy rebates for low-income households in 2024-25, including:
- Family Energy Rebate for those receiving Family Tax Benefits – from $180 to $250
- Senior Energy Rebate for those with a Seniors Health Card – from $200 to $250
- Low-Income Household Rebate and Medical Rebate for eligible concession holders – from $285 to $350
Continuation of existing cost-of-living rebates, including
- Gas Rebate for eligible concession card holders – $110
- $60 weekly toll cap for private motorists
- Energy Accounts Payment Assistance (EAPA) for people experiencing financial hardship
- Learn to Swim program targeted at Culturally and Linguistically Diverse and low socioeconomic communities
- Water rebates for Seniors

NCOSS welcomes the bulk billing initiative, which should help households retain access to å healthcare.
The existing cost-of-living relief measures are vital to low-income households but remain insufficient to support low-income households that are under immense pressure right now. Those doing it toughest need far greater, targeted support with essential expenditure such as energy, food, healthcare, medication, and telecommunications.
NCOSS calls on the NSW Government to urgently address food insecurity, ensuring that NSW’s food relief system is fit-for-purpose and meets the community’s needs.