Notice of changes to Social Security Act welfare programmes and/or Ministerial directions

This instrument amends three Ministerial directions and three Ministerial welfare programmes in response to the amendments made through the Social Assistance Legislation (Accommodation Supplement and Income-related Rent) Amendment Act 2025 (the Amendment Act).

This instrument amends the Housing Support Programme by making a consequential amendment to the definition of ‘service costs’, to ensure that definition continues to retain  the same meaning which will be defined in section 65AAA of the Social Security Act 2018 from 2 March 2025 when the Social Assistance Legislation (Accommodation Supplement and Income-related Rent) Amendment Act 2025 comes into force.

This instrument amends the Ministerial Direction on Eligibility for Social Housing and the Ministerial Direction on Continued Eligibility for Social Housing, in response to the amendments made through the Social Assistance Legislation (Accommodation Supplement and Income-related Rent) Amendment Act 2025 (the Amendment Act). 

This instrument amends the Special Needs Grants Programme and the Emergency Housing Grants Programme (the Welfare Programmes), established and approved under section 101 of the Social Security Act 2018, on 18 December 1998 and 26 August 2024 respectively.

This instrument, which comes into force on 28 April 2025, gives approval for payments under Part 6 of the programme to farmers affected by drought in the territories of specified local authorities.

This instrument, which comes into force on 31 March 2025, amends the Employment and Work Readiness Assistance Programme established and approved on 6 March 2014 (the principal programme).

This instrument, which comes into force on 31 March 2025, amends the Relocate for Work Support Programme made under section 101(1) of the Social Security Act 2018.

As part of the 2025 AGA, this instrument increases rates and income limits under two Ministerial Directions and ten Welfare Programmes.