The unemployed are worse off now in real terms than they were 15 years ago and benefits for the short term unemployed are the lowest in the OECD in terms of replacement rates, new research from UNSW has discovered.
A report into the Australian welfare system by Professor Peter Whiteford from the Social Policy Research Centre at UNSW, found that unemployment payments accounted for 46% of median household income in 1996, yet fell to 36% in 2009-10.
While unemployed benefits continue to regress, Professor Whiteford states “Australian family payments for social security recipients and the low-paid are the highest in the OECD.”
The Australian Council of Social Services has drawn upon the report to advocate the Federal Government increase the Newstart allowance by $50 a week.
Read more at UNSW Sydney