The Coalition Government is tackling intergenerational welfare dependency in at-risk groups and helping more people off welfare and into work.
Federal Member for Forde Bert van Manen MP said the Forde community can help get involved to help break the cycle of welfare dependency.
“The Government will provide funding for innovative trials that tackled welfare dependency as part its $96.1 million Try, Test and Learn Fund,” Mr van Manen said.
The Government’s Australian Priority Investment Approach to Welfare 2017 Valuation Report found a reduction in the number of people accessing welfare payments had led to a $43 billion decrease in Australia’s total future lifetime welfare cost.
“After record jobs growth, the proportion of working age Australians now dependent on welfare has fallen to 15.1 per cent – the lowest level in more than 25 years – but we can always do more,” Mr van Manen said.
“Reducing welfare dependence will make a massive difference to people’s lives, as well as the lives of their children and our broader community.
“Anyone can make a submission to run a pilot program that targets intergenerational welfare and I encourage organisations in my electorate of Forde to think of an innovative approach to tackling the problem in our community.
“The deadline for submissions is September 28, with funding available for projects delivered over six months to two years with an expected budget range of $0.5 million to $5 million.”
Tranche 2 trials are targeting:
- Newstart Allowance recipients aged 50 and over (with a focus on those who have been out of the workforce for longer than 12 months)
- Migrants and refugees aged 16-64 and receiving income support
- Carers aged 16-64 and receiving Carer Payment, and
- At-risk young people aged 16-21 and receiving income support.