View Full Version : What is a "low income"?
HappilyCrazy1980
19-05-2008, 16:33
Hi, I think we are on a low income. But I am not sure what exatctly is considered a low income? can anyone help with a weekly or yearly figure?
Dont need to put any personals as I wont be!
Thank you
LittleButton
19-05-2008, 16:36
My income over a year is what I believe to be a low income. I earn just under 40,000 a year. Hope thats what you're after? I think my income is low... sadly lol
We support a family of 5 soon 6 on just over $600 a week...
I think that's pretty low... but we're not struggling. We just make wise money choices.
I always thought that a low income was where the maximum rate of FTB part A cuts off, which is around the $41000 mark.:yes:
MrsMiggins
19-05-2008, 17:56
In what context are you enquiring? Are you after something specific such as the low income rate for taxation purposes or for Family Assistance/Parenting Payment etc?
If it's something to do with taxation or income support, you would be best to check out the ATO website (http://www.ato.gov.au), Centrelink (http://www.centrelink.gov.au) or Family Assistance Office (http://www.familyassist.gov.au).
HTH :)
Aparently we have a low income at approx 28k, but I always manage to make ends meet and we never go without, so I don't think it's too low ...
I don't get assistance cause our combined incomes exceed 100K. If memory serves me right, if our combined income was less then 80-90K we would get something.....I always thought that was classified as ' low income ' .
MummaBear03
19-05-2008, 21:28
It really depends. My income is $25,000 a year approximately (work and centrelink combined) and yet with discounts from being on centrelink life is easy. My mum's on $30,000 and has no dependants although she's still having to keep that big house running that we all grew up in as she can't sell it for enough to get another place, and isn't able to take out a new loan since her income is too low so she is really struggling. I think it does depend. She doesn't get the tax cuts that people with children get and doesn't have the luxury of having money left over after bills are paid and food is provided for herself, my uncle who's otherwise homeless so moved in with her, and my brother who is a teenager but not a dependant as he's over 16 :rolleyes: even though he's working she still has to provide for him since his income is too high to be on centrelink (i think he's on around $150 to $200 a week) but not enough to be providing for himself. So I'd say it depends on the circumstance.
HappilyCrazy1980
19-05-2008, 21:29
Well we have a combined income of aprox $60k but when I finish work to have the baby we will be on one wage of about $36k. I guess, I am just wondering if we would be considered low income.
Thanks for the replies ladies.
In Austalia, yes that would be considered a low income.....but hubbys has gone from $70K down to $24,400 this year lol....for nearly 6 of us;) We manage, have a nice house, kids have nice clothes....etc etc.....tiny income for Australia but would be a huge income if we were in Africa;) It's all relative.
You will get some FTA andf FTB from centerlink:)
maorimama
21-05-2008, 05:39
We are on a low income, DH earns $35,000 and there are 6 of us. The first year we were here he was earning double that but due to health reasons had to leave.
Initially it was hard adjusting but we soon got used to it and now it is not an issue.
I have still yet to inform Centrelink of the drop in earnings but figure it's easier to do this at the end of the financial year.
Do you think on this amount we will be intitled to a health care card? We don't really know much about it.
We are on a low income, DH earns $35,000 and there are 6 of us. The first year we were here he was earning double that but due to health reasons had to leave.
Initially it was hard adjusting but we soon got used to it and now it is not an issue.
I have still yet to inform Centrelink of the drop in earnings but figure it's easier to do this at the end of the financial year.
Do you think on this amount we will be intitled to a health care card? We don't really know much about it.
you'll recieve a health care card if you get the maximum rate of FTB A which you would yes.
Maori...would you be entitled to some parenting payment also? Might be worth checking as they wont back pay that.
maorimama
22-05-2008, 16:42
I am not too sure what we are entitled to as we have only been in Aussie approximately 18mths now, but being kiwis we pretty much got FTB straight away.
Do I need to ring centrelink? It is so hard to know where to go for information.
forbetoel
22-05-2008, 16:46
In Austalia, yes that would be considered a low income.....but hubbys has gone from $70K down to $24,400 this year lol....for nearly 6 of us;) We manage, have a nice house, kids have nice clothes....etc etc.....tiny income for Australia but would be a huge income if we were in Africa;) It's all relative.
You will get some FTA andf FTB from centerlink:)
Yep, we are doing pretty well here in Australia.
If you live within your means, you pretty much won't starve, and we have medicare to cover most mediacal costs. We are lucky.
our little treasures
24-05-2008, 15:25
Well we have a combined income of aprox $60k but when I finish work to have the baby we will be on one wage of about $36k. I guess, I am just wondering if we would be considered low income.
Thanks for the replies ladies.
I think you would be able to get parenting payment..
BabelFish
28-05-2008, 22:07
Wow - you guys are amazing! I need to ask some questions but will start a new thread...
LuvMy4Babes
01-06-2008, 15:42
I think we all manage on what we get and also what we get used to.
I would personally think anything under $70,000 to be a low income, BUT we have 4 kids, so....
Frangimimi
01-06-2008, 15:53
My income over a year is what I believe to be a low income. I earn just under 40,000 a year. Hope thats what you're after? I think my income is low... sadly lol
DH earns this too, and i think its classed as low iincome:)
mummysangels
01-06-2008, 21:58
my DH income is now only $38000 a year with no overtime at all :(. He use to earn $50000 a year at his previous employment but they are closing down so we had no choice but to take what he could get. I class this a low income.
blackdog
03-06-2008, 13:51
I think around $50000pa is considered 'average' wage in Oz. My friend who is on about $48000 says she still gets the low income rebate on her tax :confused: (and she is single, no kids):confused:
Mrs Dolphin
03-06-2008, 16:04
Well I personally think anything under probably about a family income of $50k is a low income these days (with children) as everything has gone up so much. That is the family living off this income not each parent!
I really think that such things as low income HCC and parenting payment partnered figures need adjusting somewhat to better reflect the costs in today's society.
With me working part-time atm we are just surviving but once i finish work to have another bub we will probably only be on about $38k.
Not alot by any means!
kath5219
05-06-2008, 10:52
Im a single mum and i raise three kids on $25,000 a year. I find it pretty tough and often fall behind in rent and bills but were still living and still clothed so spose i cant complain too much!!
I get so frustrated by ppl earning $50k n over saying they have no money!! i think well maybe you should look at your spending and maybe your living beyond your means-to me $50k should be able to have a family live very comfortably!!! but i have never lived on more than $30 so to me-50 is a dream!!!
Mrs Dolphin
05-06-2008, 11:48
Just because a family earns $50k does not mean they are well off - far from it! Don't forget that an extra adult means extra costs! Mouth to feed,clothe etc. While I am not saying anything against you I am just saying that it is not a well off income. You sound like you do a great job and good on you! :yelclap: I guess we all do the best we can on what we have! Like you, I get frustrated when people assume $50k is a well off income - maybe over $100k yes that is a well off income but not $50k! :no:
Im a single mum and i raise three kids on $25,000 a year. I find it pretty tough and often fall behind in rent and bills but were still living and still clothed so spose i cant complain too much!!
I get so frustrated by ppl earning $50k n over saying they have no money!! i think well maybe you should look at your spending and maybe your living beyond your means-to me $50k should be able to have a family live very comfortably!!! but i have never lived on more than $30 so to me-50 is a dream!!!
For a single under $50k for a family under 100K is low income to me, I am in awe of some people on this thread who support a family on less than 50K pa I have no I dea how you manage!
reAllytee
05-06-2008, 14:26
We earn under 40k but i still dont class that as low .... Far from it !
From when i worked with American Express most people are on 25k & this was classified as low income.
PunkyDiva
05-06-2008, 14:33
They give HCC to families under 40 K, don't they?? so to me that would be an obvious indication of accepted low income.
We actually don't earn much more then that but I say we are middle income so what do I know :D
reAllytee
05-06-2008, 14:54
They give HCC to families under 40 K, don't they?? so to me that would be an obvious indication of accepted low income.
We actually don't earn much more then that but I say we are middle income so what do I know :D
Nope :no:
We cant get one even with DP out of work & on an income provided by the insurer ( work injury ) which is still below his income when employed.
We have managed to get one for Squeak but only due to his medical issues.
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