This forms one of the key initiatives unveiled late last week at the Summit, designed to generate immediate actions to help build a stronger economy.

The one-off income credit of $4,000 will give older Australians the option to work and keep more of their money.

The credit to be used this financial year will be added to the income banks of age pensioners from December 2022, meaning pensioners are eligible to earn $11,800 before their pension is reduced.

National Seniors Australia noted the move marks an important first step in addressing the jobs and skills shortages in the workforce. 

Chief Advocate for National Seniors Australia Ian Henschke said the New Zealand system where pensioners can work as much as they want without losing their pension remains the benchmark.

“It speaks volumes that in New Zealand 25% of people aged 65 and over are still engaged in work, while here in Australia it is just 15%,” Mr Henschke said.

AMP Chief Economist Shane Oliver said while some feared the Jobs and Skills Summit was just a talk fest, if it helps resolve the log jam in fixing key problems in the labour market, it’s a good thing.

"It does appear some progress will be made with key moves confirmed or likely in an increase in the permanent immigration cap, increased training, measures to reinvigorate the enterprise bargaining system and allowing pensioners to work extra hours without losing their pension," Mr Oliver said. 

Aside from the announcement of an increase to income credit for pensioners, other key initiatives included:

  • An additional $1 billion in joint Federal-State funding for fee-free TAFE in 2023 and accelerated delivery of 465,000 fee-free TAFE places.
  • An increase in the permanent Migration Program ceiling to 195,000 in 2022-23 to help ease widespread workforce shortages.
  • Extending visas and relaxing work restrictions on international students. 

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Provider

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Term Deposit - 6 months

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Term Deposit - 6 months

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Annually, Semi-Annually, At Maturity, Monthly$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]5000$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]More details

Term Deposit - 6 months

    At Maturity$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]25000$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]More details

    Term Investment ($25k-$100k) - 6 months

      At Maturity, Annually$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]500031$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]More details

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        Annually, At Maturity$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]500031$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]More details

        Term Deposit ($5000-$999999) - 6 months

          Annually, At Maturity$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]25000031$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]More details

          Term Deposit ($250k+) - 6 Months

            At Maturity, Annually$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]100031$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]More details

            Term Deposit ($1000+) - 6 months

              Annually, At Maturity, Monthly$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]1000031$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]More details

              Term Deposit ($10000+) - 6 months

                Annually, At Maturity$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]1000031$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]More details

                Term Deposit - 6 months

                  Annually, At Maturity$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]50007$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]More details

                  Term Deposit - 6 Months

                    Annually, At Maturity$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]100031$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]More details

                    Term Deposit - 6 months

                      At Maturity$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]500031$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]More details

                      Term Deposit - 6 months

                        At Maturity, Annually$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]2500031$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]More details

                        Term Deposit ($25k-$5m) - 6 months

                          At Maturity, Annually$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]500000$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]More details

                          Fixed Term Deposit ($500000+) - 6 months

                            At Maturity, Annually$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]10007$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]More details

                            Term Deposit ($1k-$1m) - 6 months

                              At Maturity, Annually$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]250000$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]More details

                              Fixed Term Deposit ($250000-$500000) - 6 months

                                Annually, At Maturity$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]50031$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]More details

                                Term Deposit ($500-$19999) - 6 months

                                  Annually, At Maturity$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]500000$product[$field["value"]]$product[$field["value"]]More details

                                  Term Deposit ($500,000-$1,000,000) - 6 months

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                                      Important Information and Comparison Rate Warning

                                      All products with a link to a product provider’s website have a commercial marketing relationship between us and these providers. These products may appear prominently and first within the search tables regardless of their attributes and may include products marked as promoted, featured or sponsored. The link to a product provider’s website will allow you to get more information or apply for the product. By de-selecting “Show online partners only” additional non-commercialised products may be displayed and re-sorted at the top of the table. For more information on how we’ve selected these “Sponsored”, “Featured” and “Promoted” products, the products we compare, how we make money, and other important information about our service, please click here. Rates correct as of May 3, 2024. View disclaimer.

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