The Australian federal government’s welfare spending is expected to exceed the rates outlined in the budget forecasts as it will be driven higher by top-ups to keep up with inflation.
According to the budget paper from September, the centre-left Labor government will increase the rate of income support welfare payments—including JobSeeker Payment, Austudy, and Youth Allowance—by A$40 (US$33.26) per fortnight, or $2.86 per day.