Ensuring our welfare system is well targeted

Living within our means to provide support for those who need it most

Strengthening the integrity of welfare

The Government remains committed to ensuring the welfare system is fair and supports those who are genuinely in need.

A more sustainable welfare system helps to guarantee these crucial services for current and future generations of Australians.

The Government has instituted a number of measures to strengthen the integrity of the welfare system by identifying and recovering overpayments.

In total, these integrity measures are expected to return around $4 billion to the Budget in cash terms by 2021, and will help to ensure the sustainability of Australia’s welfare system.

Simpler welfare

The Government will simplify and streamline the welfare system by introducing a new JobSeeker Payment which will consolidate seven existing income support payments.

The new JobSeeker Payment will make the welfare system easier for people to navigate and will deliver a fairer social welfare system by ensuring that people in similar circumstances receive similar support.

The best way to get the welfare budget under control is to get Australians back to work. The new JobSeeker Payment better reflects the expectation that working age people with a capacity to work should be in employment, looking for work or improving their skills to gain employment.

Transitional arrangements will ensure that no Australian-based income support recipients face any reduction in payment rates.

Off welfare, into work

Supporting Australians into jobs

The best form of welfare is a job. Workforce participation is central to improving the long-term wellbeing of Australians and the economy.

Strengthening participation requirements

The Government is creating clearer mutual obligation requirements for working-age welfare recipients and increasing support to help them find employment.

Clearer rules that can be properly monitored and enforced will assist people to prepare for, search for and secure employment.

ParentsNext

In this Budget, the Government will provide $263 million over four years from 2017-18 to expand ParentsNext services nationally, providing tailored support to parents of young children to plan and prepare for employment.

Parents will be supported to identify their educational and employment goals, and develop a pathway to achieving them.

Work for the Dole

Work for the Dole continues to be a cornerstone of the mutual obligation system. The Government is streamlining the administration of the program and ensuring it provides participants with the skills employers want, while giving back to the community.

New Job Seeker Compliance Framework

A new, targeted Job Seeker Compliance Framework will commence from 1 July 2018 and will apply stronger penalties for those who deliberately and persistently fail to turn up for job interviews or take suitable work while ensuring that genuinely disadvantaged and vulnerable job seekers are supported.

Youth Jobs PaTH

The Government is delivering on its commitment to support 120,000 young Australians to get into work. The Youth Jobs PaTH program is assisting young Australians to get a job by providing them with practical pre-employment training, and with real work experience through internships. Businesses are also being encouraged to hire young job seekers through wage subsidies.