The results of the latest Raise the Rate for Good 2024 survey
are deeply disturbing and should be a source of national shame, says ACOSS.
People report being isolated, embarrassed, sick and dejected because they do not have enough money. The reality is that if you receive JobSeeker or a related income support payment, you are unable to cover the cost of the
essentials of life and are forced into a life of poverty and deprivation.
The survey, of more than 760 income support recipients, found almost three quarters of people receiving income support are cutting back on meat, fresh fruit and vegetables due to the low rate of payments and rising cost of living.
“It’s constantly on my mind, I’m always watching the news and
praying they’ll increase the rate. But I know they won’t. I just can’t
wait to finish my degree so I can get to work and hopefully never
have to be on income support again. It’s so degrading and punitive.”
Brett, WA
Key findings show that more than half are skipping meals altogether, 74% have difficulty affording medicine or medical care, 92% say the low rate of income support harms their mental health and 84% their physical health.
More than half of the respondents (410 people) rented privately – 94% of them are in housing stress, paying more than 30% of their income in rent alone. 52% reported paying more than half of their income on rent.
ACOSS is using the report to build public and political support for an increase to Jobseeker, Youth Allowance, and related payments.
Click here to access the full report and resources to share it through your communications channels.
For more information contact ACOSS Senior Campaigner Stacey Batterham, [email protected].