Australia’s welfare system punishes effort. It traps people in reporting cycles, income penalties, and compliance rules that make it harder — not easier — to participate in work, study, or community life. We need a system that rewards contribution instead of policing poverty.

A liveable JobSeeker rate is the first step. But it is not enough on its own. Modern work is casual, gig‑based, part‑time, and unpredictable. People move in and out of employment, caring duties, study, and retraining. Our safety net must reflect this reality.

Right now, people on JobSeeker can only earn $150 per fortnight before their payment is cut. This threshold is decades out of date. It punishes people for taking shifts, accepting casual hours, or trying to rebuild their working life. It creates a direct financial penalty for effort — the opposite of what a modern employment system should do.

A JobSeeker increase should be paired with a clear pathway toward a Universal Basic Income.

Why a UBI pathway matters

• It gives people stability so they can job‑seek, study, or retrain effectively.
• It removes income‑reporting penalties that discourage part‑time or irregular work.
• It recognises unpaid care, community contribution, and volunteering.
• It reduces bureaucracy and frees resources for services that actually help.
• It prepares Australia for automation, insecure work, and a changing economy.

This is not a radical idea. A staged UBI pathway is a practical, fiscally responsible reform that simplifies the system, reduces administrative waste, and supports participation in all its forms.

What we’re asking for

• Increase JobSeeker to a liveable level.
• Lift the income‑free threshold well above $150 per fortnight so people are not punished for working.
• Remove punitive income‑reporting rules that punish effort.
• Begin a staged transition toward a Universal Basic Income, starting with simplified payments and reduced compliance burdens.

Stop punishing effort. Reward participation instead. Australia deserves a welfare system that supports people to contribute — not one that makes life harder when they try.