Bonner locals who are planning to study or start an Australian Apprenticeship in 2019 should plan ahead and lodge their claim for Youth Allowance or Austudy now.

Youth Allowance is designed to provide financial assistance for eligible school leavers who wish to complete further study or training, while Austudy is available to eligible students and apprentices aged 25 or older.

Prospective students can submit a claim for Youth Allowance or Austudy up to 13 weeks before the start of their course or apprenticeship.

Minister for Human Services and Digital Transformation Michael Keenan encouraged students to apply early to avoid the last minute rush which occurs every year.

“As we get closer to the start of the new semester my Department usually sees an influx of claims, but prospective students can apply now to avoid the late rush and get a response in as little as 1 or 2 days,” Minister Keenan said.

“We have been working very hard to upgrade our digital services, making it easier for students to claim and manage their payments online, when and where it suits them.”

Federal Member for Bonner said the upgraded digital system improves the whole application experience and ensures students can spend more time focusing on their study.

“The online claim system tailors questions based on individual circumstances, which cuts processing times and streamlines the entire process for young Australians so they can focus more time on preparing for the next important chapter in their life”.

“The Coalition is committed to ensuring Australian students have the support they need to pursue their passion, whether that is at university or through an apprenticeship program, so I really encourage every local student who is eligible to get in early and apply now.”

Last year around 240,000 Australians applied for Austudy or Youth Allowance, with one third of these claims received in the first two months of the year.

Anyone who is interested in submitting a claim can do so online using their myGov account.

For more information you can visit humanservices.gov.au/students.

Senior Australians living in Bonner will receive more support, thanks to a half-billion dollar aged care funding boost by the Liberal National Government, including the release of 10,000 high-level home care packages within weeks.

“Our Government will also ease the cost of living for local seniors receiving home care, by reducing the daily maximum fees payable by up to $400 a year,” said Bonner MP Ross Vasta.

“We understand local people’s preference is to receive aged care services in their own homes and to live independently for as long as possible.

“The home care expansion is on top of the extra 20,000 packages funded in the past year, which combined will result in a record 40 per cent increase in the people receiving home care packages.”

The maximum basic daily fees payable for home care in Bonner will be reduced by $400 a year for Level One packages, $200 a year for Level Two packages and $100 a year for Level Three packages.

“Our Government will top up payments to providers on behalf of local seniors, to ensure there are no reductions in levels of service,” said Mr Vasta.

The $287 million release of additional high-level packages is supported by another important initiative to improve services for senior Australians receiving residential aged care.

“We are investing $98 million to fund increased payments for GPs to treat patients in local aged care homes,” said Mr Vasta.

“We recognise the important role local doctors play in supporting the health and care of people in residential care.

“Our Government is also investing more in providers who support senior Australians living in rural and remote areas and people from homeless backgrounds.

“These providers face unique circumstances and cost pressures and we want to ensure their sustainability.”

The Viability Supplement for eligible residential aged care providers including Bonner local provider Winnam Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporation is to be increased by 30 per cent, through an investment of $101.9 million,

Currently, more than 550 services, accounting for around 13,500 residential care places, receive the Viability Supplement to offset higher care costs in regional areas.

The Homeless Supplement will also be increased by 30 per cent, through a $9.3 million funding injection. Currently, 42 residential services receive the homeless supplement on behalf of more than 1,700 residents.

“Our Government is determined to continue improving aged care at every opportunity, to help ensure local senior Australians receive the care they want and deserve, where and when they need it,” said Mr Vasta.

“We have invested and extra $1 billion a year in aged care services since 2013 and are continuing our record investment, through the 2018-19 Budget’s $5 billion boost over the next four years.

“Even as the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety goes about its important work, our reform agenda will continue at full pace.”

Families in Bonner will have greater access to sporting facilities thanks to an announcement made today by Federal MP Ross Vasta and the Minister for Health Greg Hunt.

Mr Vasta was joined by the Minister today to officially award Carindale Cougars and the Belmont State School with $98,151 that he secured for the local families, under the Federal Government’s Community Sport Infrastructure Grants Program.

Mr Vasta said the funding will enable the Carindale Cougars to install lighting and perform much needed upgrades to the field located at Belmont State School.

“When I first met with the Cougars admin staff and they explained their project I immediately knew this was something that I needed to get behind.

“This lighting and upgrades will allow the club to train in the evenings and hold night games, in addition to this it Belmont state school students will also benefit from the funding by having access to a better sporting facility.”

“This club is passionate about its players and Carindale community and their recent acknowledgment by the Brisbane Lions as Community Club of the Year is testament to that.

“I’m proud to work alongside them and I can’t wait to see the kids out on the field next year taking full advantage of the brand new additions to the grounds,” Mr Vasta said.

This week’s Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook confirms the strength of the Australian economy and that the budget will return to surplus.

Returning the budget to surplus is part of the Liberal National Government’s plan to keep the economy strong and guarantee the essential services people in Bonner rely on.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta said we have made real progress in strengthening the Australian economy; it’s because of this good fiscal management that the people of Bonner can trust that their vital services are guaranteed under the Morrison Government.

“We are on track for a budget surplus in 2019-20, our unemployment rate has fallen to five per cent and welfare dependency is at its lowest rate in over 25 years.”

The underlying cash balance is forecast in MYEFO to improve from a deficit of $5.2 billion in 2018-19 to a surplus of $4.1 billion in 2019-20.

The surpluses are forecast to increase year-on-year to $12.5 billion in 2020-21 and $19 billion in 2021-22.

“A stronger economy is the key to delivering better essential services in Bonner,” Mr Vasta said.

“It means we can continue delivering record funding for schools, hospitals and infrastructure.

“It also means tax relief for hard working Australians and small and family businesses.”

The Liberal National Government’s plan for a stronger economy is: tax relief to encourage and reward working Australians; backing small business to create more jobs; fixing the budget; guaranteeing funding for schools, hospitals and other essential services; and keeping Australians safe.

Next year’s budget will be the first surplus budget since the last year of the Howard Government. It’s been 30 years since Labor delivered a surplus and now we are cleaning up their mess.