‘$3.10 isn't even a litre of milk’: Centrelink recipients slam latest payment increase

Rising living costs continue to put immense pressure on Australians relying on welfare support.

While government payments are adjusted in line with inflation, many recipients argue these increases fail to keep pace with real-world expenses.

For those on JobSeeker, the Age Pension, and Commonwealth Rent Assistance, the latest payment adjustment has sparked frustration rather than relief.


Welfare recipients have slammed the latest Centrelink increase, saying the adjustment fails to ease the financial strain they are facing.

From today, payments such as JobSeeker, the Age Pension, and Commonwealth Rent Assistance have risen in line with inflation.

However, many on welfare said the increase was too small to keep up with the soaring cost of essentials.


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Centrelink rise slammed as ‘pointless’ by recipients. Image source: Getty/Scott Barbour


Damien, 62, said the change was ‘paltry’ and did nothing to help him afford food or medication.

‘I just scoffed at it. I just feel like not accepting it. It's not going to do us any benefit at all,’ he shared.

‘$3.10 isn't even a litre of milk. We're supposed to be the lucky country.’

He had been on JobSeeker since 2019 and briefly took on a part-time job last year to break free from the welfare cycle.

Despite earning $400 a week, the increased income meant his Centrelink payments were cut, and his social housing rent—calculated as a portion of his income—rose.

He quit after a few months, saying it ‘wasn’t worth the trouble’.

With rent set to increase again in May, the JobSeeker indexation would leave him $4.50 worse off.

Social housing tenants have long criticised the system, where any increase in Centrelink payments triggers a rent hike.


Trudi, a disability pensioner, said she had grown frustrated with the cycle.

‘We get absolutely nothing, it's b*******,’ she said.

‘The government is slapping itself on the back, beating its chest... it's not enough, it will never be enough.’

Emily, 25, said she was forced to choose between basic needs, often skipping meals to afford essentials.

‘I am living on one meal per day,’ she said.

‘If I run out of both my medications at around the same time, I must choose between medicine for my chronic pain or medication for my PCOS.’

She said her rent accounted for 55 per cent of her income, leaving her unable to afford internet and sometimes struggling to recharge her phone.

‘This is my reality, and the reality of countless others,’ she said.


The rising cost of living had made it harder for JobSeeker recipients to get by, with many now relying on charity organisations for essentials.

Even dual-income households had turned to outreach services as food prices surged.

Since March 2020, grocery prices had risen by 17 per cent, while rental costs had increased by 37.6 per cent, according to CoreLogic data.

Petrol had jumped 42 per cent since 2022, while insurance costs had risen by 20 per cent.

JobSeeker had increased from $565.70 per fortnight in 2020 to $781.10 today—an adjustment of 27.5 per cent.

Despite these increases, many argued the payment was still not enough to cover necessities.


The Economic Inclusion Advisory Committee reported that JobSeeker payments remained below all benchmarks, causing severe hardship for many Australians.

It recommended raising JobSeeker to 90 per cent of the Age Pension, which would bring the payment to $942.39 per fortnight.

The Australian Council of Social Services had called for an even higher increase to at least $82 per day.

Damien said even an extra $100 per week would not be enough for a comfortable life.

Mission Australia’s Marion Bennett warned that failing to raise JobSeeker would have wider consequences.

‘If people are able to receive an adequate income, then they actually will be less frequently needing to use other government services,’ she said.

‘So there's actually a return on that investment of $1.24 for every dollar invested in JobSeeker.’


Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth said today’s increase would ‘help ease some pressure’ but did not indicate whether further changes were planned.

She pointed to other government measures, including an $11.5 billion investment in welfare support.

Shadow Social Services Minister Michael Sukkar said the opposition had no plans to change JobSeeker, arguing that employment was the best way to improve living standards.

‘Few countries provide the strong safety net available to Australians,’ he said.

He added that since JobSeeker was taxpayer-funded, any changes needed to be handled ‘responsibly’.


In a previous story, the government announced a separate Centrelink change aimed at providing relief for pensioners.

While some welcomed the update, others questioned whether it would make a real difference.

Read more about how this change could impact pensioners.

Key Takeaways
  • Welfare recipients said the latest Centrelink increase failed to keep up with the rising cost of living.
  • Many struggled to afford essentials, with some skipping meals or choosing between medications.
  • Experts called for a higher JobSeeker rate, warning that inadequate payments caused severe hardship.
  • The government defended its welfare measures, while the opposition said any changes must be handled responsibly.

With the cost of living continuing to rise, do you think current welfare payments are enough to support those in need? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
 

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You can't blame any government for what your landlord charges, it not up to them to pay for your rent increases or if you need a guarantor. No government is able to dictate what landlords charge so you can't argue there.
And you can't tar all landlords with the same brush either, I know some landlords who are going backwards and I have told them it is time to sell. If your rental property is your only source of income, and it is costing you to keep the rent down and the place is needing repairs due to age it is time to sell.
 
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A long while ago, I am not sure when, but the government had a pension fund which was taken, at 3% on top of your income tax. Along came superannuation. As far as I know the extra 3% was never removed. Anyone remember the 3x3 extra tax at the fuel pump. 3 cents extra for 3 years. That was never removed. The generous aged pension given is nothing more than an insult, and shows nothing but contempt for the very people that grew Australia. MAGA = Make Albo Go Away, and take his insane chums with him.
 
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Try this for measure. Taken at approximately 10 am at Woolworths Booragoon Westfield this morning. Notice the discrepancy in pricing.

View attachment 71069
That's easy Veggiepatch buy the one on the right. I find these in our supermarkets all the time, do I tell anyone, not anymore.
I was out shopping with my husband a few years ago when a new Woolies opened up in a new estate. One with a Greg Norman golf course, getting the picture, Husband; "do we need bread rolls?" Me, "no way they are more expensive than at our Woolies". Husband, "manager, manager, why are your rolls more expensive than this place? Manager, "oh I dont know sir I'll have to check into that.
And to cut a long story short guess where the rolls became more expensive.
 
Does anyone stop to question what a politicians equates to? If they were to get a pay rise of 2% and their weekly wage Was say $2000 p/w (probably a lot more!) it is quite a substantial pay rise. If pensioners get the same 2% it doesn’t take long to work out that 2% of bugger all equates to f&#*% all
 
I don't see the politicians taking a pay drop. Unfortunately once you're a politician you get the pension and can still earn money own properties or a business and it doesn't interfere with your pension. Those not politicians however ........ Or else be an immigrant and you'll get the pension easily.
 
This is Capitalism, the survival of the fittest, the most priviledged, and is applauded and used by most (WHO ARE IN A POSITION TO MAKE BIG MONEY) private companies, multi-nationals, at the expense of the general poulation who they rely on to do the hard work, which makes them wealthy. Welfare is not on their list of priorities because there is no money to be made here. We are living in a capitalist economy, I don`t see changes that bring about equality. That`s why those on Centrelink benefits i.e pensioners or anyone that is not seen as productive will ever have a fair go!
This comment stinks of communism, we all have avenues of bettering ourselves, some make it some don't and a fair few get to a comfortable place in their life, hard work, pay attention at school, parents who care and encourage ( cant all be this lucky ), sometimes pure luck in job choices. But stop this bullshit whinging about lge company's and corporations, Institutions like this have been around in 1 way or another for millennium. Class structures have and do exist, we live in australia, dont tell me u cant change your circumstances. Dont deny many have issues mental, physical etc. But centrelink and it's predecessors were started as a stepping stone and backbone to help people struggling and to support in between job lay-offs, it's now and for along time become a cash cow. Whinging about your 4 bucks, you obviously didn't plan your grey years to well.
 
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No the increase is a shame and a total disgrace. Public servants would scoff at such a pay increase but Pensioners who have worked all their lives and paid taxes get a measly increase not even enough for a loaf of bread. Is the Govt delusional or do they just not care how hard it is for Pensioners to live. Let's see how Public Servants would react if their increase was only a couple of dollars a fortnight, they would laugh.
 
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Seems that you need to be an illegal alien or boat person, then the government will give you a business, house, car, money, and a lifestyle that we as Aussies can’t have 🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬
$3.10 doesn’t help, but anything is better than nothing
 
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I've been contributing to this country a damn sight longer than Albasleasy has. If he has all his living and working expenses paid and another $600, ooo or so on top, and if all that is still not enough for him to keep on top of inflation, and he still needs ANOTHER $30,000, then he's a crooked, mean spirited bastard to think another $75 is good enough for me.
Roll out the guillotines. These cruel self-infatuated rats need to be changed into fertiliser.
 
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I'm in the same boat as you, worked hard to pay for a home, raised my two kids on my own after a divorce and took any job I could so I could save for the future. Because I didn't squander my money on rent and having a good time I too am comfortable and travel for overseas holidays. Yes there are people who through no fault of their own are struggling now but there are also the ones who are screaming the loudest because they expect the government owes them. Enjoy you autumn years as am I.
Why do people like you think that renters squandered their money on renting and having a good time ? You have no idea of why some of us were unable to own property ! Don’t lump everyone in the same box because you like to think you are better than others !
 
I believe that the Jobseeker payments are pitifully inadequate. At the very least, Jobseeker recipients should be given free public transport. That would enable people going to job interviews, or appointments, to get there with no hassles. Why make it more difficult or even impossible for them to find work? I also think the payments should be increased to a level where it is possible to cover the basics - food, rent, medications and fares.
 
Our Pension is means tested, we have to prove to them what we have ... The Politicians
When they leave' They just go out on a Massive Parlimentry Pension ....
 
It’s time welfare recipients realised the government is not giving their money, it the money comes from tax payers who are also having a hard time. We do not need to see government costs increase, as wage earners are also having a touch time. Some living in cars
 
Better the Devil you know Cobb. 😒
My electrical bill goes up 13.22% in April an increase of $28.00...where is the increase going... out the window .
I'm just waiting for the next pension payment. Then, I'll be at Mr Bowen's office.
Probably the same response I got on the last visit I paid. Sweet bugger all.....
 
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I’m an single old age pensioner since my husband passed away it has gotten so much harder as I’m still paying a mortgage, I’ve never really had to worry about the price of things until the last 12 months, it’s not only me but some of my friends and some even have super which I don’t I have to watch what I buy now. My house insurance went up $1500 and the private medical which I need for a knee replacement it’s killing me. I don’t drink, smoke and very rarely go to the club for a $11 lunch so I’m very careful with the money I have left after paying for everything.
 
Its vicious cycle up goes the pension couple of dollars i live in social housing and they take my rent up so who wins the government give with one hand take away with the other.
 
It's ridiculous. $3-10 and my rent will probably go up by $4 so I won't even have had an increase. Considering how little maintenace is done on social housing unless you request it and then have to wait months for it to happen, I can't see why our rent has to constantly go up every time we have the smallest pay increase.
 

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