Government seeks new approaches to tackle welfare dependency

Migrants and refugees, at risk young people, Newstart recipients over 50 years of age and carers will benefit from the next tranche of the Government’s $96.1 million Try, Test and Learn Fund.

Minister for Social Services, Christian Porter, officially opened the second round of funding at his address to the National Press Club in Canberra today.

“The Try, Test and Learn Fund is about trialling innovative projects to help improve the lives of vulnerable Australians and help them break from welfare dependency,” Mr Porter said.

“Tranche two will build on the success and learnings of the first tranche, implementing and evaluating new policy responses to support our next priority groups with innovative ideas to help them become self-reliant.

“Already we have invested more than $23 million across 14 initiatives aimed at helping young carers, young students and young parents.”

Minister Porter said the Australian Priority Investment Approach data highlighted four groups for the next tranche who were at particular risk of welfare dependency.

Migrants and refugees

• As at June 2017 there were 299,400 in this category. They are expected to have an average future lifetime cost of $340,000 per person, and, on average, are expected to be on income support for some or all of 30 years over their future lifetime.

At risk young people

• This category consists of young people receiving Youth Allowance (other) or young people receiving Disability Support Pension with mental health as the primary medical condition, of whom there were 109,000 as at June 2017. They are expected to have an average future lifetime cost of $306,000 per person, and, on average, are expected to be on income support for some or all of 35 years over their future lifetime.

Newstart Allowance recipients aged 50 and over

• As at June 2017 there were 251,400 people in this category. They are expected to have an average future lifetime cost of $320,000 per person, and, on average, are expected to be on income support for some or all of 26 years over their future lifetime.

Carers

• As at June 2017 there were 221,700 in this category. They are expected to have an average future lifetime cost of $461,000 per person, and, on average, are expected to be on income support for some or all of 34 years over their future lifetime.

“By selecting these priority groups, we are continuing to focus on life circumstances that could lead to welfare dependency,” Minister Porter said.

“For example, there are 195,000 Newstart Allowance recipients aged 50 or over who have been receiving an income support payment for over 12 months.

“These are people who are ready to work, have valuable skills and experience, and would benefit from work. All they need is the support to get there.

“We will also accept submissions for other vulnerable groups at risk of long-term welfare dependence. Grant applicants will need to be able to identify these other vulnerable groups within the data, other research or from experience in working with vulnerable people.”

This tranche will have a continuously open application period from now until the end of September 2018, which will allow individuals and organisations to submit proposals at any time.

Funding will be provided to approved submissions to refine and optimise project design through co development, prior to implementation.

For more information on tranche two and the priority groups, or to submit a grant application, visit Community Grants Hub or GrantConnect.