In a world where the cost of living seems to be perpetually on the rise, it's no surprise that discretionary spending, especially among the younger demographic, is taking a hit.

The pinch is being felt all the way to the music festival scene, a cultural staple for many young Australians.

But could increasing Centrelink payments be the solution to reviving this industry? This question has sparked a heated debate across the nation.

A bar owner's call to raise Youth Allowance and JobSeeker payments to enable young Aussies to afford nights out and attend music festivals has stirred controversy.

Hugh Scobie, co-owner of Ancient World, pointed to the cost-of-living crisis and rising rents as culprits preventing many from engaging in social activities and thereby crushing the entertainment industry.

A bar owner called to raise Youth Allowance and JobSeeker payments so young Aussies can attend music festivals. Credit: Shutterstock

Music festivals, once seen as a rite of passage for the youth, are experiencing a significant drop in ticket sales.

‘Most people can't afford to spend $50 on a night out,' Scobie said.

'Raising JobSeeker and Youth Allowance to the amount recommended by the Australian Council of Social Service would help a lot.'

High-profile events like Splendour in the Grass have even been cancelled, with a report from Creative Australia’s Soundcheck revealing a 24 per cent drop in ticket sales. Among the key demographic of 18 to 24-year-olds from 2018/19 to 2022/23.

The National Arts Participation Survey echoed these findings, citing the cost of tickets as the most common barrier to attendance, impacting 55 per cent of respondents.

The most pronounced issue among party-goers under 35 was money issues, with nine out of 10 experiencing financial difficulty in 2023.

'We lost a huge amount of our audience–young people and students whose main income is from Centrelink–almost immediately after interest rates, rents, groceries, and petrol prices went up,' Scobie said.

'Seeing bands and socialising with their friends doesn't seem to be affordable for them in the current economic climate.'

JobSeeker recipients who are single and do not have children receive a fortnightly payment of $762.70, and those on Youth Allowance receive between $395.30 to $806, depending on their age, living arrangements, relationship status, and whether they have children.

Scobie suggested raising Centrelink payments per the Australian Council of Social Service's recommendation.

It is understood that the most extensive set of permanent Centrelink payment increases, particularly a $40 increase on JobSeeker and Youth Allowance, started on 20 September.

JobSeeker recipients, currently receiving an average of $55 a day, should have their payments increased to match the pension rate of $80 a day.

Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young has weighed in, suggesting that more taxpayer funds should support festivals while also attributing festival cancellations to climate change and extreme weather events.

'Festivals are an important part of the arts and live music ecosystem. 'Festivals support jobs not only for artists but also in hospitality, tourism and trades as well,' Senator Hanson-Young said.

'It is not a surprise to hear festival organisers say that extreme weather and insurance are among their biggest challenges.’

'We have known for some time that extreme weather events and climate change are making it harder and more unpredictable to put on large-scale events.'

Key Takeaways

• Festival ticket sales among young Australians aged 18 to 24 have significantly dropped, attributed to the cost-of-living crisis and ticket prices.
• A bar owner, Hugh Scobie, has suggested raising Youth Allowance and JobSeeker payments to enable young people to participate in social activities like music festivals, which would support the entertainment industry.
• The Soundcheck report revealed a 24 per cent drop in ticket sales within the key demographic for festivals and pointed to the financial pressures on young adults, with costs like rent and groceries limiting their ability to afford event tickets.
• There have been several cancellations of major music festivals in Australia, with reasons ranging from economic pressures on consumers to challenges posed by extreme weather and the unpredictable nature of hosting large-scale events due to climate change.

Do you think Centrelink payments should be increased to support young people's participation in cultural events like music festivals? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

 

[Chays]

Yes that is what I was saying ... people here attacking the younger generations because the media filled their heads with lies. The majority, in fact the vast majority, of young folk looking for work are industrious and want a job.

Most people here would comment based on what they see in real life. When you see kids wasting time with their latest phones, clothes, etc and taking drugs, it is unlikely that they also have a job. It is more likely that they break into houses, steal cars etc to maintain their habits. These kids need to be controlled and little is done about it. They are the ones who want to go to concerts and score or sell drugs to other kids. Is that what we want to happen?

 

[Chays]

No. Let them get jobs to support their entertainment habits. It was stated that the pension is $80 per day which totals $1120 over the 14 days, and I don’t know any pensioner getting that much. That is $400 more than I receive and I have no other income. Today’s youth are spoilt in the majority and expect too much to be given to them. JMO.

The full pension is $1,116.30 per fortnight. That is what I get paid and I am on a full single pension.

 

[mylittletibbies]

No. Let them get jobs to support their entertainment habits. It was stated that the pension is $80 per day which totals $1120 over the 14 days, and I don’t know any pensioner getting that much. That is $400 more than I receive and I have no other income. Today’s youth are spoilt in the majority and expect too much to be given to them. JMO.

The full single pension is $1116.30/ft., if you are not getting that you should enquire why. If you have a partner you get less.
If you have a substantial bank account, interest is counted as income, but you'd need a very large amount of money invested to loose $400/ft off your pension.
Something wrong there. Is your rent subtracted before you get your pension?

 

[Chays]

These people will always have an excuse, as to where are the jobs, I have not seen them. If you want to work you will always find one. I'm just the messenger don't shoot me.

Years ago, when I first left year 12. I applied for a job at a newsagent. I wanted to fill a gap year before attending university. I was knocked back because I had passed year 12 and done maths and science subjects. They told me to my face that I was too educated for them. I ended with a traineeship in Sydney. It was full-time work with a paid-for, part-time study after work. I ended up better off. I didn't go to the original university that was planned, I ended up better off, with no HECS debt - my job paid for it. It pays to look around. I had been rural, and I had to move to Sydney. I coped. I got an education, qualifications, and work experience, then left and moved where I wanted to.
I agree, if they want to find a job, they usually can. It is only a small number who will genuinely have trouble.

 

[Chays]

The full single pension is $1116.30/ft., if you are not getting that you should enquire why. If you have a partner you get less.
If you have a substantial bank account, interest is counted as income, but you'd need a very large amount of money invested to loose $400/ft off your pension.
Something wrong there. Is your rent subtracted before you get your pension?

It sounds like they are on JSA or similar. It is $762.70 if you are single with no kids and $816.90 if you are single, 55 or older, after 9 continuous months on an income support payment. I was on that while transferring to the disability pension.

 

[mylittletibbies]

Years ago, when I first left year 12. I applied for a job at a newsagent. I wanted to fill a gap year before attending university. I was knocked back because I had passed year 12 and done maths and science subjects. They told me to my face that I was too educated for them. I ended with a traineeship in Sydney. It was full-time work with a paid-for, part-time study after work. I ended up better off. I didn't go to the original university that was planned, I ended up better off, with no HECS debt - my job paid for it. It pays to look around. I had been rural, and I had to move to Sydney. I coped. I got an education, qualifications, and work experience, then left and moved where I wanted to.
I agree, if they want to find a job, they usually can. It is only a small number who will genuinely have trouble.

Good on you, effort always brings reward I have found.
Despite a lot of setbacks I worked hard all my life and now am able to have a reasonable financially comfortable retirement

 

[Aussie all the Way]

The full pension is $1,116.30 per fortnight. That is what I get paid and I am on a full single pension.

Don't you mean $4 dollars more than what you get. Couples Age Pension $1681.80.

 

[Da Freddo]

I'm available to to help drink a glass or two or three in my spare time!just to help the wine industry!

Your place or mine, when do WE START ?
No problems..

 

[Ellev]

Lol look at everyone attacking all the unemployed people . They haven't asked for this. What a grumpy and bitter lot of old farts we have on here.

 

[Ellev]

Oh dear me! Boo hoo, you poor youngsters, can’t afford to go out. Never mind,
Do something constructive with your imagination, your ingenuity, your favourite hobby. For a start, volunteer for an organisation, to help animals, help the elderly, help the schools. Don’t expect other people to help you,

it's not about youngsters complaining they can't afford to go out to bloody festivals . It's about the festival owners saying they are not making ends meet . For gods sake stop ripping into the disadvantaged.

 

[Da Freddo]

Lol look at everyone attacking all the unemployed people . They haven't asked for this. What a grumpy and bitter lot of old farts we have on here.

Hey, don't blame me, I only wish to have a wine with Natale.

 

[mylittletibbies]

Hey, don't blame me, I only wish to have a wine with Natale.

If Ellev doesn't know that there are literally thousands of people out there who don't work just because they don't bloody want to then they are living in lala land.
My niece worked for Centrelink many years ago.I asked her one day why my eldest son wasn't
forced to get a job instead of just bludging around with his mates she said there's hundreds of them just in this town, we don't waste our time on them because they just stuff up on any job they are sent to, to make sure they get the sack.
They use their resources to get a job for those who actually want one and I don't think anybody here begrudges those people their payments.
Nevertheless something needs to be done about those rorting the system and believe you me they are well clued up on how to do that. If Ellev feels they are disadvantaged I would say they can soon change that by getting a job. Their choice.

 

[siameezer]

It is income, it increases the JSA that they can get from the government. If they aren't willing to do some work, how do they think they will get experience and increase their chances of moving on to a better job? If they get an education they have a better chance of going straight to a full-time position, they are also advertised. Companies are desperate for workers. Qualified and unqualified, full-time and part-time. As others have said, some are too picky.

You are talking out of your hat and have no idea what you are ranting about. Companies are NOT desperate for workers as they make it too difficult to get a job. They offer MINIMUM hours that people CANNOT survive on and the work is usually on-call ... would YOU be able to survive on 10 hours a week? No, I didn't think so. Some of the experience they want people to have is totally ridiculous ... a coffee shop near me wanted a young person with at least 3 years experience and who spoke fluent Turkish and Mandarin... yes BOTH languages!
You ignorantly state "if they aren't willing to do some work" yet conveniently ignore the fact that a few hours a week will not pay their rent or bills. I actually think you are just one of those who like to denigrate younger people and who are way out of touch with what is happening today.

 

[mylittletibbies]

You are talking out of your hat and have no idea what you are ranting about. Companies are NOT desperate for workers as they make it too difficult to get a job. They offer MINIMUM hours that people CANNOT survive on and the work is usually on-call ... would YOU be able to survive on 10 hours a week? No, I didn't think so. Some of the experience they want people to have is totally ridiculous ... a coffee shop near me wanted a young person with at least 3 years experience and who spoke fluent Turkish and Mandarin... yes BOTH languages!
You ignorantly state "if they aren't willing to do some work" yet conveniently ignore the fact that a few hours a week will not pay their rent or bills. I actually think you are just one of those who like to denigrate younger people and who are way out of touch with what is happening today.

Even a few hours a week will get them some experience and additional money and they would still get Jobseeker as well.
If you really want to get somewhere then you will take anything as a stepping stone to something better.
Yes, there are some ridiculous employers though I think your example is a bit OTT, there wouldn't be too many jobs that would have such a ridiculous condition. It must be a very diverse ethnic community to require someone to speak both languages. They'll never get anyone.
I don't know where you live,but here in WA there is plenty of work for those who want it, and yet we still have young people roaming the streets, breaking and entering, stealing cars, attacking the elderly and vulnerable.
Maybe those with no experience or qualifications should consider a TAFE course or some volunteer work to gain some experience. Better still join one of the forces and get paid a good wage while learning and getting experience.
There's an Eagles song that goes
"It's too easy not to care,
But if you're not ready for the rocking chair,
Do SOMETHING,
WHY DON'T YOU DO SOMETHING"

 

[zacca]

Yes they need more money but to be able to eat or pay the rent that’s going up excessively. Not any stupid music show

 

[Annna]

Oh dear me! Boo hoo, you poor youngsters, can’t afford to go out. Never mind,
Do something constructive with your imagination, your ingenuity, your favourite hobby. For a start, volunteer for an organisation, to help animals, help the elderly, help the schools. Don’t expect other people to help you,

This is your time to work.

 

[BruceC]

Sounds more like some older people feel self entitled

How do you come to that conclusion.
when we married 47 years ago we had three children.
We did not have one piece of new furniture or even a TV.
We both worked full time, one working at night so we could look after the kids.
I lost my job and was unemployed for some time and we did not get Job Seeking allowance or any of the government handouts young people get today!
I finally started my own business and worked 70 hours a week for the first 10 years without holidays.
I have probably paid more in tax in 50 year working life than you have earned in your life (that’s an assumption as I have no idea how old you are).
BUT yes I am Entitled to get the small pension I get.

 

[BruceC]

Cost of living does not depend on age. By that rationale, older people are more established and should get less. Perhaps some think the younger people deserve less than what they had.

Young people deserve everything they have as long as they have worked hard for it and not just expect handouts to get what they want.

 

[BruceC]

This is your time to work.

Excellent comment.

 

[BruceC]

You have all fallen for the mainstream media spin and garbage, and SDC is perpetuating that by trying to get you all riled up over it! Use your brains, please! The TRUE reason the payments need to be raised is so that people on unemployment benefits can actually look for work (they need to be clean and presentable and have fares to interviews) as well as pay rent and household bills and food. We all expect people to understand when we say we pensioners need a raise because of the cost of living, so how about extending some of that empathy you want to others as well? They are being paid a LOT less than us and they have the costs of having to seek work on top of the same sort of expenses we have. The media is trying to turn us all against different sectors of the community ... be smarter than that and don't fall for it.

What absolute rubbish!