Survey finds less than a quarter can live on Jobseeker amidst growing pressure on government to lift income support payments

The Albanese government is being urged to lift JobSeeker payments in next week’s budget, with new research revealing widespread concern about rising poverty amid the cost-of-living crisis.

A survey by the ACOSS and UNSW Sydney-led Poverty and Inequality Partnership found overwhelming support for an increase to the payment, with almost nine in 10 respondents (87 per cent) agreeing unemployment benefits should be enough to ensure people don’t have to skip meals.

“More people than ever are acutely aware of the level of financial distress in our communities,” said Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS) CEO Dr Cassandra Goldie.

“They are watching their neighbours, family members and friends being pushed to the brink by rising costs and support payments that are too low to live on.”

Less than a quarter (23 per cent) of those surveyed said they could live on JobSeeker, currently $409 a week, while three in four (74 per cent) agreed that poverty is a big problem in Australia.

“Our findings show that people in Australia have a lot of compassion for people doing it tough … [and] really speak to how important an issue this is across the whole community,” said Dr Theresa Caruana from the Centre for Social Research in Health at UNSW Sydney.

The findings come as the Federal Government’s Economic Inclusion Advisory Committee (EIAC) recommended a “substantial increase” to welfare payments as its top priority ahead of the budget.

It’s called on Canberra to lift JobSeeker and related working-age payments from 67 to 90 per cent of the Age Pension.

As of January 2026, the Age Pension maximum entitlement for a single person is $1,178.70 per fortnight.

The most common allowance, JobSeeker, is set at $793.60 per fortnight.

“EIAC is concerned that the existing rate does not provide many recipients with an adequate safety net, leaving many people with insufficient funds to meet their basic living expenses,” wrote committee member ANU Associate Professor Ben Phillips.

The report also highlighted a “critical need” for a significant increase to the Remote Area Allowance (RAA), estimating grocery prices are on average 40 per cent higher in remote areas compared with capital cities.

“The RAA has barely increased since its introduction in 1984 and is not subject to indexation,” the committee noted.

It recommended phasing in increases over four years, finding that just over 103,000 people would be lifted out of poverty in one year, rising to nearly 320,000 in the fourth year.

“Every day at Mission Australia, we see the real impact of income support that falls short, with people skipping meals, medication, falling behind on rent and being pushed closer to homelessness. No one should have to live like this,” said Mission Australia CEO Sharon Callister.

The Smith Family CEO Doug Taylor agreed.

“The families we support at The Smith Family are certainly grappling with cost of living, with almost 90 per cent telling us rising petrol prices are forcing them to spend less on other things, like school essentials for their children,” he said.

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, higher inflation will drive up indexed welfare payments, with JobSeeker spending expected to be $3.2 billion higher than forecast in the mid-year update and disability support pensions tipped to rise by $4.4 billion.

“Nobody should be forced to choose between keeping a roof over their head or feeding their family,” said Julie Edwards, CEO at Jesuit Social Services.

“We need real action from our political leaders to lift people out of poverty.”

The Poverty and Inequality Partnership research found a majority of people surveyed believe poverty is driven by policy, not individual choice.

And across the political spectrum, around three in four voters agree it can be solved with the right systems and policies.

“This report makes clear that most Australians, regardless of their politics, recognise that poverty is driven by structural inequality and that governments have both the power and the responsibility to act,” noted SSI CEO Violet Roumeliotis.

The survey results reinforce that shift in public sentiment.

“These findings reflect a country that is paying attention and is increasingly concerned about poverty and its causes,” said Scientia Professor Carla Treloar AM at the Social Policy Research Centre, UNSW Sydney.

“An overwhelming number of people are seeing poverty and inequality as serious and systemic problems and want an income support system that keeps people fed and housed.”

Treasurer Jim Chalmers will deliver the federal budget on 12 May 2026.