ACOSS calls on the Federal Government to boost income support payments in next Tuesday's budget as JobSeeker today increases by 22 cents a day following routine indexation.
Pensions and allowance payments like JobSeeker will increase today due to routine indexation that occurs twice per year. This routine indexation delivers an increase of $1.55 per week, or just 22 cents per day for a single person receiving JobSeeker.
Cost of living pressures are expected to take centre stage in the upcoming 2025 federal budget, with ACOSS CEO Dr Cassandra Goldie AO saying the indexation increase does not adequately address the crisis facing more than 1.5 million people across Australia receiving JobSeeker, Youth Allowance, Parenting Payment and other related payments.
"An extra 22 cents a day is completely inadequate and insufficient for people who are receiving just $56 a day from JobSeeker – a payment so low it's forcing people to skip meals, cut their medication in half and go to bed early to save on energy costs," Dr Goldie said.
"This routine indexation is not enough. If the Federal Government is serious about addressing the cost of living crisis, it must lift income support payments to at least $82 a day, in line with the Age Pension.
"Our surveys have shown people are being forced to deprive themselves of essentials because they simply don't have enough to get by.
"We've heard from people who haven't eaten red meat in more than two years, who use rags instead of sanitary products, who have sold their cars because they can't afford to maintain them despite living in a rural area. These people worry constantly about their finances and it is taking a severe toll on their mental and physical health.
"As the latest Economic Inclusion Advisory Committee has found for the third year running, the top priority for government must be to substantially increase JobSeeker and related payments to help people meet basic costs.
"An additional 22 cents a day does not address the inadequacy of JobSeeker and related payments. Ensuring people have a sufficient income to cover the basics would transform lives.
"The way to end poverty is simple: raise the rate. Anything less is a choice to keep people hungry, sick and struggling."
