More than 1.4 million people receive JobSeeker, Youth Allowance, Austudy, Parenting Payment and related income support payments. This report finds these payments are inadequate to cover the cost of food, housing, transport, and healthcare; which forces recipients into a life of poverty and deprivation.

Key findings

• Even with Rent Assistance, income support payments are inadequate to cover the cost of private rental.
• 298 respondents in private rental reported receiving a rent increase in the past 12 months, with 70% receiving a rise of more than $20 a week, and 42% reporting an increase of over $40 a week.
• The inadequacy of income support payments harms people’s mental and physical health.
• Sufficient food is a discretionary item for people receiving income support.
• People go to great lengths to pay their energy bills. 
• It is very difficult to afford a car on income support.

Recommendations

• The Federal Government must increase JobSeeker Payment, Youth Allowance and related income support payments to at least $80 a day.
• The Federal Government should improve the adequacy of payment supplements to meet additional living costs, including lifting the maximum threshold for Commonwealth Rent Assistance, and establishing a $65 a week Disability and Illness Supplement and a Single Parent Supplement benchmarked to the additional costs of single parenthood.