Thank you to everyone who has signed and shared this petition, amplifying the essential role Welfare Rights Centre plays in supporting vulnerable Australians.

Thanks to your efforts, we’ve gained attention and vital funding from individual donations and philanthropic grants, keeping our services available for those who need them most. But despite these efforts, we have not yet received the necessary support from the Federal or NSW Governments.

Today, we’re at a critical point. After months of advocacy and clear reassurances from the Commonwealth Government that they would fund our proposal for a Community Worker Hotline, we recently learned that no additional funding will be provided this financial year. This shortfall means Welfare Rights Centre is at risk of reducing vital services, laying off staff, and losing the capacity to help people in crisis - from those affected by natural disasters to women escaping violence, and others denied the payments they’re entitled to. 

Without immediate government support, we face scaling back our services from April next year, which would leave many without a safety net.

The Robodebt Royal Commission demonstrated the essential role organisations like ours play in holding Centrelink accountable. It’s why we’re calling for a specific funding stream for community legal centres specialising in social security law under the new National Access to Justice Agreement. But now, just over a year later, the funding needed to act on the Commission’s recommendations is still uncertain.

This situation is both disappointing and alarming; without action, many in need will have nowhere to turn.

We ask the Federal Attorney-General to support Economic Justice Australia's request for a $5 million funding stream for CLCs that specialise in social security law as part of the new National Access to Justice Partnership. This would be a welcome step forward. However, if introduced, this funding won’t commence until July 2025. It does not address the immediate need for this financial year, meaning Welfare Rights Centre will be forced to downsize, which would lead to a loss of experienced staff and service gaps.

Downsizing now also means that, even with future funding, the time required to hire and train new staff would reduce our capacity for 18-24 months – precisely when demand is at its peak.

This outcome is both perverse and avoidable, especially given the overwhelming demand for our services. We ask everyone who signed this petition to continue the fight. Together, we can build a fairer social security system where no one is left without support.

Please keep sharing this petition, raise your voices, and urge your representatives to establish dedicated funding for specialist social security legal services. 

To sustain our services, we urgently need your help.

Please consider a donation to help us bridge this gap. Every dollar enables us to continue supporting vulnerable Australians and to advocate for fairer policies. Together, we can build a better safety net for all.

Donate now to support our work

Thank you for standing with us and for believing in a future where everyone has access to justice and the support they need.

- Katherine Boyle, and the Welfare Rights Centre team.