Households are facing a surge of up to 25 percent in their power bills, as the new financial year brings a raft of new changes.
The Australian Energy Regulator will increase the cost of electricity between 20 and 25 percent, heaping more pressure on people managing soaring cost of living pressures, including persistent inflation and biting interest rate rises. 
Among the new government policies coming into effect from July 1, is an increase in the childcare subsidy which will benefit 1.2 million families and help lift workforce participation.
For a family earning $120,000 (US$80,000) with one child in care, their costs will be about $1700 (US$1130) a year less than they otherwise would be….