Updates
Prioritising cost of living for vulnerable Queenslanders
Queensland Government media release
The Queensland Government’s 2024–25 State Budget will provide real, practical help and cost-of-living relief for our most vulnerable Queenslanders.
This includes young people, seniors, carers, people with disability, and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
The Budget does this through an investment of $2.3 billion for child and family services, $3.7 billion for seniors and disability services, and $21 million for multicultural affairs.
This includes an extra $190.8 million over four years to enable more foster and kinship carers to receive financial support for looking after children with complex and high support needs.
Pressures created by increased cost of living will also be addressed through an extra $31.8 million over five years and $7.9 million a year for the Extended Post Care Support program.
This provides financial support for young people leaving care up to their 21st birthday, whether they remain with their carer families or live independently.
The Putting Queensland Kids First strategy also features strongly with a $9 million investment over two years for Safe Pathways trials.
This funding is for early intervention and support programs and pathways for women with young children at risk of becoming involved with the child safety system.
There is also an extra $2 million over two years to trial a Family Connections program in two locations, where clinicians will work with families at home and connect them with the right services when they need them.
In the disability area, more than $160 million has been allocated in extra funding for better services and supports as an initial response to recommendations of the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability and the NDIS review.
A further $7.5 million over two years is being invested to continue disability supports for children with autism.
In the Multicultural Affairs budget, there is $21 million to continue strengthening community cohesion.
This includes the Asylum Seeker and Refugee Program; the Queensland Program of Assistance to Survivors of Torture and Trauma; and the Celebrating Multicultural Queensland grants program.
Under the Community Safety Plan for Queensland, there is also $5.7 million over two years for a pilot family reunification service for children aged 12 to 15.
Senior Queenslanders are also important when it comes to needing help with the increased cost of living.
That’s why this budget includes $1 billion in concessions and rebates on energy, utilities and rates bills, and the Cost of Living Rebate.