LIFE & STYLE
Increase to the Centrelink
Deeming rates- what does that mean?
On 20 September, at the same time as benefit payments were indexed, Centrelink increased their Deeming rates, but do you know what Deeming is and how it can affect your Centrelink benefits?
Deeming is a set percentage used by Centrelink to work out the income from your financial assets. Financial assets include Bank Accounts, Shares, Managed Funds, Loans, some gifts, some income streams and if you are over retirement age, Superannuation. Deeming assumes you receive a set income from these assets whether you receive this income or not.
The upside is that you do not need to keep updating Centrelink when your income from these investments changes, and that any income you receive above the deeming rate won’ t affect your payment.
What do the changes mean? Both the deeming rates and thresholds have changed so people receiving an incometested pension or allowance may have their payment reduced, and people with a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card or Low Income Health Care Card may become ineligible.
For example: Jackson, 70, is a single homeowner with $ 300,000 in financial assets($ 250k in an account-based pension and $ 50k in the bank). Currently, he is eligible for the full Age Pension of $ 30,646.20 p. a.($ 1,178.70 / fortnight).
After a 0.50 per cent deeming rate rise, his assessable income increases from $ 5,466 to $ 6,966 p. a., reducing his Age Pension to $ 29,997.20 p. a.($ 1,153.74 / fortnight) a decrease of $ 649 p. a. or $ 24.96 per fortnight.
If you have questions about your eligibility for the Age Pension, we offer personalised assistance in easy to understand language. Call us today, 1300 222 484.
Rouse Hill welcomes new Return and Earn depot
Rouse Hill is now home to a new large-format Return and Earn depot designed to make recycling large numbers of bottles, cans and cartons easier than ever before.
The Rouse Hill Return and Earn Depot- the first depot in The Hills Shire – was officially opened with a community celebration today.
The staffed depot features the latest self-service‘ tip and go’ technology which can process up to 100 containers a minute, making it ideal for returning 500 or more containers at a time without the need to pre-sort containers.
It also offers the extra convenience of a‘ tag and drop’ service, which lets recyclers receive a digital payout after dropping off their bagged containers to be counted by depot staff.
A Return and Earn machine is available onsite for recyclers with smaller amounts of drink containers.
Users can print a voucher for the refund amount, which can be redeemed at Coles for a discount on their shopping or for cash, or opt for an e-voucher or payment directly into their bank or PayPal account using the Return and Earn app.
Locals can also donate their refund to one of over 400 donation partners listed on the Return and Earn app. Donation partners include environmental organisations, schools, sporting clubs and animal welfare groups, supporting the causes that matter to locals.
Return and Earn has become a key fundraising channel for many charities and community groups in NSW. Over $ 82 million has been raised for charities and not-for-profits from donations and fees from hosting return points since the scheme launched in 2017.
The Rouse Hill Return and Earn Depot is the 11th return point in the Hills Shire. It is located at 12 / 8-10 Hare Place, Rouse Hill, and is open daily from 7.00 am to 6.00 pm.
For more information on Return and Earn visit: www. returnandearn. org. au
12 ISSUE 125 // NOVEMBER 2025 theindependentmagazine. com. au THE HILLS INDEPENDENT