Welfare boost on the horizon: Treasurer hints at significant increase ahead of federal budget

As the Australian government prepares to unveil its federal budget next week, Treasurer Jim Chalmers has hinted at a much-anticipated welfare boost for recipients across the nation.

This move is a response to the recommendations made by the Economic Inclusion Advisory Committee (EIAC), a body that has been instrumental in advising on measures to enhance economic inclusion and support for society's most vulnerable.


The EIAC made 22 recommendations, one of which is to significantly increase the rate of JobSeeker payments to 90 per cent of the aged pension.

This would result in a substantial rise for single people on JobSeeker, from the current $762.70 per fortnight to a proposed $1004.67.

This equates to an additional $121 per week or about $17 per day, which could make a real difference in the lives of many Australians struggling to make ends meet.


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Welfare recipients could receive higher support payments following EIAC recommendations in the federal budget. Credits: Shutterstock


Treasurer Chalmers, while not committing to any specific recommendations just yet, has acknowledged the importance of the EIAC's work and the need for the government to take careful steps in implementing these changes.

‘There will be additional steps in this budget which are conscious of the recommendations that that important, well-regarded, well-informed committee, has put to us,’ Treasurer Chalmers stated.

‘We take it seriously. We can't afford to do every recommendation put to us by that committee.’

‘In some cases, announcing future directions is warranted. In others, we need to be a bit more careful because we need to be cognisant of the budget situation and what we can afford.’

‘We don't want to over-promise and under-deliver when it comes to our most vulnerable people,’ he added.


The EIAC suggested that the government implement the JobSeeker increase in stages rather than all at once.

They also urged the government to commit to a specific timeframe for these changes, to provide clarity and assurance to those who rely on these payments.

As of March last year, 740,800 Australians were receiving JobSeeker payments, highlighting the significant impact any changes to the welfare system could have.

Other recommendations from the EIAC include increasing rent assistance payments, investing in social and affordable housing for Indigenous communities, and overhauling the employment services system to better serve job seekers.


In a positive turn for the nation's finances, Chalmers also announced that net debt is projected to be $152 billion lower than what was forecast by the previous Coalition government.

According to him, this reduction in debt could save Australia $80 billion in interest payments over the next decade, potentially freeing up funds for critical investments in social welfare and infrastructure.

The federal budget—set to be handed down next Tuesday, May 14—is shaping up to be a pivotal moment for the government's economic strategy and its commitment to supporting the most vulnerable members of our community.


As the federal budget for 2024 comes under scrutiny with discussions on welfare enhancements and economic inclusion, it's vital to consider how these proposed changes could impact various demographics, including seniors.

With potential boosts in pension payments on the horizon, millions of retirees eagerly await news of any adjustments that could positively affect their financial well-being.
Key Takeaways
  • Welfare recipients may see an increase in support payments as per recommendations set to be included in the federal budget.
  • The Economic Inclusion Advisory Committee recommended a rise in JobSeeker payments to 90 per cent of the aged pension rate.
  • Treasurer Jim Chalmers stated the need for careful consideration of the budget when adopting the committee's recommendations.
  • The federal budget, which could include changes to rent assistance and employment services, will be announced next Tuesday, May 14.
How do you feel about the proposed changes? What impact would an increase in JobSeeker payments have on your life? Join the conversation and let’s discuss in the comments below.
 
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I’m curious as to why this info is on the SDC page? Do seniors receive jobseekers payments?
Yes not all sen
I’m curious as to why this info is on the SDC page? Do seniors receive jobseekers payments?
Yes some seniors still receive job seeker. I am nearly 62 have disabilities but centrelink will not give me a disability pension.
So i remain on jobseeker allowance.
At least 6 of my friends are in the same boat, worked for 40 plus years now on the scrap heap.
 
Yes not all sen

Yes some seniors still receive job seeker. I am nearly 62 have disabilities but centrelink will not give me a disability pension.
So i remain on jobseeker allowance.
At least 6 of my friends are in the same boat, worked for 40 plus years now on the scrap heap.
I’ve been waiting for 12 months to go on a disability pension but I was told the wait list is so long for it I’m in the queue. Thats why I’m still on jobseeker also and they told me to just keep getting my 3 monthly doctors exemption forms and uploading them.😊
 
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A GREAT WAY TO SOLVE NOT HAVING ENOUGH MONEY ON JOBSEEKER GET A JOB Why don't you just tell them is all ok you can bludge for the rest of your time and then when they go on the AGE PENSION TAKE A MASSIVE DROP IN PAYMENTS. Kick in the teeth for people who have worked their whole life to get overtaken in UNEMPLOYMENT PAYMENTS. You can really tell ALBO was bought up by a single parent who DID NOT GO OUT AND GET A JOB.
Even in the unlikely event that they get that increase, it will still be LOWER than the Age Pension, so no "massive drop". As for Albo's mother, no, she didn't, as she was severely disabled by Rheumatoid arthritis.
 
I’m curious as to why this info is on the SDC page? Do seniors receive jobseekers payments?
Yes they do. I was on Newstart for 2 years in my 60s before getting the pension. When I transferred it was an increase of 50% income, much easier to manage.
 
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Some seniors are not receiving the pension until the age of 66.5 or even older, depending on their birth date, so yes, some seniors do receive Jobseeker. Which of course, is ludicrous ~ who's going to employ a 66 year old?
I’m curious as to why this info is on the SDC page? Do seniors receive jobseekers payments?
 
Even in the unlikely event that they get that increase, it will still be LOWER than the Age Pension, so no "massive drop". As for Albo's mother, no, she didn't, as she was severely disabled by Rheumatoid arthritis.
My husband and I get $840 a fortnight each and he went to war so these people could get the same as him.SHAME ON THE GOVERNMENT SHAME SHAME SHAME
 
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Age Pensioners will not get another rise until third week in September 2024.

And I love this comment from the delusional Jim Chalmers:
" ...the recommendations that that important, well-regarded, well-informed committee ..."
Those "well informed, well-regarded, important committee members" wouldn't be the same people sitting on the Parliamentary Remuneration Tribunal, would they?
😂 😂

"‘We don't want to over-promise and under-deliver when it comes to our most vulnerable people,’ he added."
No fear of that mate.
You say you're "Treasurer" of the Labor Party ... right?

"Chalmers also announced that net debt is projected to be $152 billion lower than what was forecast by the previous Coalition government."

And why would that be Jim?
Could it be that you abolished the annual $1500 Tax Rebate?
How much in extra tax receipts will that mean? And extra $80 billion?
Odd eh?
:unsure: :rolleyes:
He's a funny man, Jim is.
Our 'most vulnerable people'.
That has got to set MP's rolling in the aisles.
Only Labor would say we are 'our most vulnerable people' and then sink the slipper into their guts."
 
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That article was written BEFORE the March increase of 1.78% in the pension.

"Potential boosts... ?"
Well we saw what happened.
The "potential" is still only "potential."
It was hardly a "boost."

Wasn't even a catch up on cost of living.
Some people went backwards due to rent hikes.
I feel for them. It's not good enough.
 
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I’ve been waiting for 12 months to go on a disability pension but I was told the wait list is so long for it I’m in the queue. Thats why I’m still on jobseeker also and they told me to just keep getting my 3 monthly doctors exemption forms and uploading them.😊
The age pension is about the same as the disability pension.
But Jobseeker is a bit behind, as we know.

As far as I know, the system does not operate as a "waiting list/queue."
It is based on "eligible/not eligible."
 
Even in the unlikely event that they get that increase, it will still be LOWER than the Age Pension, so no "massive drop". As for Albo's mother, no, she didn't, as she was severely disabled by Rheumatoid arthritis.
If they do adopt "the recommendation of the committee" it could still be phased in over time.
I don't see this Labor mob paying Jobseeker @ 90% of the Age pension straight up.
Labor don't have the ticker for that.

They want to destroy that old bogey man, that they cannot manage as well as the LNP!!
They want surplus budgets, and that means not allowing people on welfare to have a bite of the cherry.

The way the LNP ran up the Rorts debts prior to the 2019 and 2022 elections, I'm almost inclined to believe labor ARE better managers, but that in no way implies they are in any way "good" managers.
 
well the govt is certainly rewarding the unemployed for doing nothing
The unemployed, the genuine ones need to be rewarded for doing nothing where as the permanent unemployed DO NOT
THE GOVT ARE SAYING THEY CONDONE PEOPLE DOING NOTHING SO WE ARE GIVING YOU MONEY TO STAY AT HOME AND NOT WORK
WHY IS IT ONLY THE UNEMPLOYED AND SINGLE PARENTS ARE LOOKED AFTER
WHEN IS THE ELDERLY, CARERS AND THE DISABLED GETTING A DECENT PAY RISE
AFTER ALL WE ARE ACTUALLY BEING DEMEANERED FOR WORKING ALL OUR LIVES AND NOW LEFT TO DIE
IF the govt can afford to give workers $1500 in tax cuts and reward the unemployed an extra over $100 per fortnight then surely the govt can afford to give pensioners and the carers and the retired exactly the same pay increases AND LETS NOT FORGET THAT POLITICIANS ARE GETTING A FURTHER $4000 DOLLARS IN TAX CUTS
 
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What ever the government give they take back, it's all false money, the so called tax cut I'm to get, around 16 dollars a week has gone already, car insurance took that before I even got it lol, so I'm already behind the eight ball.
 
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What ever the government give they take back, it's all false money, the so called tax cut I'm to get, around 16 dollars a week has gone already, car insurance took that before I even got it lol, so I'm already behind the eight ball.
You are right about that.
CTP insurance is almost the same as Comprehensive these days.
CTP: $309
Comprehensive: $360 for a car worth abou $5k.
 
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Reactions: Ezzy
My 18 y.o. non working lazy little bugger of a grandson will be jumping with joy at the likelihood of this extra money for doing nothing. He lives at home & lives very cheaply (much to my daughter's disgust but his father's support).

Get these people working in the Community, picking up rubbish, cleaning up illegal rubbish dumplings or anything else, whatever, but make them work for what they get!!!
 

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