Politics · Australia · 3 hrs ago
JobSeeker payment leaves some recipients short of food and basic costs
Travis Gilbert says JobSeeker left him with $45.95 a week after rent when he began receiving the payment for the first time in two decades.
He lives in suburban Canberra and says internet, phone and electricity bills used up that money, leaving nothing for food, health care or transport.
Required appointments can mean an 16km round trip on foot, because he could not afford a bus fare.
A Foodbank report has renewed attention on food insecurity, with up to 900,000 people living on about $58 a day.
Gilbert says the payment is about $120 a week short of what he needs for food and other essentials, and says government figures show half of recipients rely on it for more than two years.
He argues a permanent increase is needed so people can afford basic needs and take part in steps that could help them return to work.
He hopes the current or a future government will raise the payment, but does not say when a decision might come.
Travis Gilbert says he had $45.95 a week left after paying rent while receiving JobSeeker in suburban Canberra.
He says that money covered internet, his mobile phone and electricity, leaving nothing for food, medical care, medication or transport.
Gilbert argues that the payment is too low to meet basic costs and to support people seeking work.
He says food pantries and charities are essential for some JobSeeker recipients.
He calls for a substantial and permanent increase to the payment.
- Who
- Travis Gilbert, a JobSeeker recipient, describes his experience. He says others receiving the payment face similar hardship.
- What
- Gilbert says JobSeeker left him unable to afford food and other basic costs after paying rent and bills. He calls for a permanent increase to the payment.
- When
- The article was published on 28 October 2026. Gilbert says he received JobSeeker for the first time in two decades three years after 2022.
- Where
- Suburban Canberra, Australia.
- Why
- Gilbert says the payment is too low to cover basic costs, including food, medical care and transport to compulsory appointments.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Anthony Albanese pledged a new social contract with “no one held back and no one left behind,” Gilbert writes.
Gilbert says he was receiving JobSeeker for the first time in two decades, with $45.95 a week left after paying rent.
- Weekly amount after rent
- $45.95
- Internet cost
- $17.50 a week
- Mobile phone cost
- $5 a week
- Electricity cost
- $24 a week
- Estimated shortfall
- About $120 a week in suburban Canberra, according to Gilbert
What people are saying
There was no money for contents insurance, food, GP visits, medication or public transport to and from the fortnightly appointments with my compliance officer (“employment consultant”).
For me, living in suburban Canberra, the jobseeker payment is about $120 a week below where it needs to be in order to afford food and things like medical appointments, medication and insurance.
Right now, the payment is too low to enable people to participate in the things that can help them move from “welfare to work”.
Raise the rate for good. Help restore dignity and transform lives.