'Trapped in poverty'? New statistics reveal grim picture for Centrelink users

In a country as prosperous as Australia, it's a harsh reality that some of our fellow citizens struggle to make ends meet.

The latest findings from Anglicare Australia's 2024 cost of living index painted a grim picture for families and individuals relying on Centrelink payments.


The report's analysis prompted urgent calls for the government to increase JobSeeker payments and other income support forms, as the current Centrelink rates are insufficient to cover necessities.

The analysis compared essentials—rent, food, and transport—with Centrelink's current income support rates.

The results are alarming: a family of four, with both parents on JobSeeker, would fall short by $17—which may force some to live in unsuitable accommodation and cut back on essential household expenses.


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Anglicare Australia's recent statistics stated that Centrelink payments are not enough to cover basic needs and necessities, which could trap users into debt. Image Credit: Shutterstock/Nils Versemann


The situation is slightly better for a single parent on the Parenting Payment, for they will have an extra $24 after covering rent, transport, and food—roughly $3 per day for additional expenses.

Meanwhile, a JobSeeker recipient sharing accommodation would have $18 left each day.

However, the report highlighted that this amount is insufficient to help them move into a rental on their own.


The housing market further exacerbates the cost-of-living crisis, as average rent costs have surged by more than 50 per cent since 2020.

The steep increase in housing costs made it difficult for those reliant on Centrelink payments to secure accommodation.

Anglicare Australia's Executive Director Kasy Chambers expressed concern, stating that it has 'never been harder to live on JobSeeker and other Centrelink payments'.

'That's why Anglicare Australia has been calling for years for the government to raise the rate of Centrelink payments above the poverty line,' Chambers said.

'These payments have been too low for too long, trapping people in poverty instead of helping them escape it.'

As Centrelink payments do not cover basic costs, individuals and families skip meals, forgo necessary medical care, and cram into overcrowded homes.

Some are pushed into debt cycles as they struggle to keep up with rising costs.


Anglicare Australia is not alone in its call for action.

Social justice and welfare advocates also agree on this and urged the government to raise the rate of Centrelink payments above the poverty line.

'These numbers show us that Australians doing it tough need real action and leadership. That means raising the rate of Centrelink payments, ending unlimited increases, and building more social housing,' Chambers stated.

'We must raise the rate of these payments. Without action, people will be pushed even deeper into hardship, poverty and homelessness.'

These measures are not just about providing financial relief; they are about upholding every Australian's dignity and ensuring everyone has the opportunity to live a stable and secure life.
Key Takeaways

  • Anglicare Australia's analysis indicates that families receiving Centrelink payments, such as JobSeeker, are struggling to afford essentials like rent, food, and transport.
  • A family of four with both parents on JobSeeker cannot meet these essential costs, falling short by $17, leading to unsuitable living conditions and insufficient food.
  • A single parent on the Parenting Payment would have only about $3 per day left after covering the cost of rent, transport and food, while JobSeeker recipients living in a shared house may have financial leeway.
  • Anglicare Australia urged the government to raise the Centrelink payments above the poverty line to prevent people from being trapped in poverty, debt, malnutrition, and housing stress.
How did Centrelink payments impact your life or the lives of your loved ones? What changes would you like to see in your payments? We invite you to share your thoughts and insights in the comments below.
 
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I applied for Disability but got knocked back & was told I will be put on Jobseeker. I am 65 & have worked since I was 14. I was a Retail Manager but that doesn't count for experience anymore. Would love to work more but no one will hire me with my health problems. I have applied for over 500 jobs in the last 12 months but in Tasmania it is very hard. They only want young people but a couple of weeks later the same job is readvertised.
 
What a cruel, nasty and totally uneducated outlook. I worked in welfare for a couple of decades and I am sick to death of people like you who are silly enough to believe the media spin about the unemployed. The majority, the VAST majority, of those unemployed want to work and you choose to use the minority who do bludge as your measuring stick for welfare recipients. Employers won't look at most people over 40, and that is why the biggest group of those on Jobstart are 50 plus. Most of them are unable to do thew sort of work you recommend and deserve to be treated with respect.
I 150% agree. I'm 63yrs have chronic migraines, carpal tunnel syndrome in both hands and still have to apply for jobs every month knowing no one is going to employ me as I am considered a risk. My medical certs for Centrelink are not recognised anymore as it is not temporary and lasts more than 2 years.
Employers do not look at older people even if you have more experience. Instead you need to keep on applying for jobs just to keep getting paid.
I have worked my whole adult life even in a job that nearly killed me both physically and mentally.
 
No heating in a nursing home? Pay for medications? Dental work needed? It seems you are in the wrong place. Heating is always on, medications are provided, that comes with the plan of the home, and dental should be under the Community health scheme. My father got everything provided in the nursing home.
Maybe I am. I am hoping to move in the near future closer to my sister in NSW , hopefully will be better.
 
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If the governments stopped paying X polititons full wages they would be enough to give pensioners a pay rise and spend money on public housing for the next 20 years.
Just a suggestion Mr Albosleezy.
 
What is really challenging is this. That I have been forced to come into a shared house due to Jobseeker status, not being sufficient to cover a rental cost, but also rental property's are over looking because I now find myself on a Centrelink benefit. My point is, the rules state that if I am sharing a property that I do not gain full rental assistance. My eligible benefit was decreased over 120.00 per fortnight because I don't live on my own. I am gratefully acknowledging assistance but am penalised because, I have had to chose a share house or face homelessness. I am 66 and gaining employment is challenging for me also. Up until December 2023, I had lodged over 85 employment applications received only one interview and was advised "on this occasion, you didn't make it". I am trapped by a group of rules and regulations and not to mention suppositions that I am "past it". I have held many senior manager positions over the years and now find myself thrown away as a statistic, because I was injured and for several months, my life was filled with very expensive rehabilitation. I'm not special just perplexed. And sadly living way below the poverty line.
 
No heating in a nursing home? Pay for medications? Dental work needed? It seems you are in the wrong place. Heating is always on, medications are provided, that comes with the plan of the home, and dental should be under the Community health scheme. My father got everything provided in the nursing home.
I worked in aged care for many years, I can't believe they are giving you medication for free. It must be charged in the package as it has to be packed by a chemist
 
FIRST AND FOREMOST GET A PROPER WAY OF GETTING A TRUE CPI RATE AS IT IS AT THE MOMEBT BASED ON BULLSHIT and THE WAT IT IS ASSESSED AT THE MOMENT IS NOT BASED ON A TRUE REFLECTION OF EXPENSES INCURRED BY GOVT \AND BUSINESSES GREED
SECONDLY, IF IT IS NEEDED TO GIVE LOWER INCOME EARNERS A $37 dollar a week pay rise and tax cuts up by at least $1500 a week low income people who payed taxes all their lives and on a pension which we have earned should be treated equally if not better
HOW MUCH RICHER ARE THE POLITICIANS AND THE RICH BETTER OFF TODAY COMPARED TO THIS TIME LAST YEAR WHILE PENSIONERS
HAVE ONLY RECEIVED A $9 50 INCREASE THIS YEAR PLUS A $200 LOSS ON UTILITIES THAT THE GOVT SUBSIDIED LAST YEAR MEANS INSTEAD OF BEING BETTER OFF BY ONLY $462 a year we ARE ONLY GETTING $262 THIS YEAR MY INTERNET AND PHONE HAVE GONE UP MORE THAN THAT ALONE
 
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What a load of rubbish. Suck it up and get a job, any job. Stop whining. Just be glad you weren't born in North Korea.
Rubbish? At the age of 58, I had a short term casual job installing NBN infrastructure. On a 39 degree day, I worked from 7.30 am until 9.00 pm, digging trenches when a f**king small backhoe was available. I was chastised for taking "too many" drink breaks to rehydrate myself.

A few days later, I dug up what was suspected to be a piece of asbestos. The work site should have been shut down until the existence of asbestos was confirmed or not. But no. The idiot Paki foreman told me I never saw it and keep working. So much for the intensive training we received specific to asbestos contamination on work sites!

That was my last shift working for that contractor.
 
Sick to death of everyone demanding more money for job seekers!
Get out get a job. Any job.
There are plenty of jobs out there but many just simply don’t want a job because the payments and handouts are good.
I had three kids under the age of six when I got sacked from a job 45 years ago.
I did not get 1c of government handouts, it forced me to get another job.
My wife worked and I worked two jobs to afford to buy a house.
We worked for our money and didn’t demand handouts.
It amazes me how many of these so called jobless on jobseeking payments can still afford to drink, smoke and gamble.

The one thing that truly annoys me is the so called homeless beggars in the city.
If they are so desperate, how can they afford to smoke and have pets Dogs & Cats.

I offered to take one “begged” to buy him lunch once and he said he only wanted the money.
He didn’t get anything but I got abused.

Job seeker payments are not there to support the person for life, they are there to help them while looking for a job.

More than happy for working families to have financial support towards education and child care.
Not all of these unfortunate people smoke, drink & gamble. They can’t afford to for one.
 
Rubbish? At the age of 58, I had a short term casual job installing NBN infrastructure. On a 39 degree day, I worked from 7.30 am until 9.00 pm, digging trenches when a f**king small backhoe was available. I was chastised for taking "too many" drink breaks to rehydrate myself.

A few days later, I dug up what was suspected to be a piece of asbestos. The work site should have been shut down until the existence of asbestos was confirmed or not. But no. The idiot Paki foreman told me I never saw it and keep working. So much for the intensive training we received specific to asbestos contamination on work sites!

That was my last shift working for that contractor.
So what? Get another job.
 

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