Welfare Rights Centre is a community legal centre specialising in social security and family assistance law.
We help people who have a problem with Centrelink.
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We are looking for an Intake Officer to join the t

We are looking for an Intake Officer to join the team at our Surry Hills office.

Welfare Rights Centre provides free legal information, advice, and representation to help vulnerable people in NSW navigate the complexities of the social security system. We collaborate closely with Economic Justice Australia, our peak organisation, to advocate for a robust social security system as the foundation for a fair, just, and inclusive society.

As our Intake Officer, your primary responsibility will be to handle the intake and assessment of new and existing clients who contact the Welfare Rights Centre by phone or email. This role operates in a dynamic environment, and adaptability to change is essential.

We’re looking for someone who has at least 6 months’ experience volunteering or working in a community legal centre or who has previously worked with people who live with social and economic disadvantage.

We strongly encourage individuals from diverse backgrounds and experiences to apply.
Applications close Monday 20 January 2025.

More information including remuneration, selection criteria, position description through the link in our bio 🔗

Our Intake Line is now open! If you're in NSW and

Our Intake Line is now open!

If you're in NSW and have a problem with Centrelink, you can call us today from 9:30am - 12:30pm on (02) 9211 5300 or 1800 226 028 📞

Alternatively, you can contact us anytime through our website, via the link in our bio 🔗

Volunteer with Welfare Rights Centre in 2025! Fin

Volunteer with Welfare Rights Centre in 2025!
Find out what it takes to work in a Community Legal Centre and learn about social justice, while gaining professional skills and life experience.

We are looking for volunteers who can commit to 1x 4hr shift per week in an administration role for a minimum of 6 months.

Volunteers receive onsite training including an induction process and ongoing support and supervision. Our volunteer placements are Ideal for university students or mature aged applicants.

Apply now by downloading the application form via our ‘Volunteer Program’ webpage, through the link in our bio. Applications close 17th January 2025 💙

In December the Welfare Rights Centre team celebra

In December the Welfare Rights Centre team celebrated the end of 2024 together with a guided Aboriginal Bush Tucker tour, followed by a picnic in the gorgeous grounds of the
Botanic Gardens of Sydney 🍃

We were able to try some tasty native Australian bush foods like Atherton raspberries and Dianella (Blueberry Lily), before relaxing on the grass by Sydney harbour for some lunch, sunshine and laughs.

Your parents’ or guardians’ income will usuall

Your parents’ or guardians’ income will usually affect whether you can get Youth Allowance and how much you can get until you turn 22.

That’s because Centrelink's default position is to consider you dependent on your parents, even if you’re not.

If you claim Youth Allowance, Centrelink will assess your parents’ or guardians’ income - and reassess it each year until you turn 22.

Learn more about the parental income test through the link in our bio! 🔗
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There are some exemptions to this rule.

If you're claiming Youth Allowance, Austudy or ABS

If you're claiming Youth Allowance, Austudy or ABSTUDY Living Allowance while you're completing a higher education course but you need extra funds to get through the semester, you can apply for a Student Start-up Loan.
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The Student Start-up Loan is $1,273, and it is interest and tax-free. If you're an eligible borrower, you can get this loan twice a year during two separate periods. The current period runs from 1 January to 30 June 2025.
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You can apply for the loan now through your Centrelink account if you're continuing a course. If you're starting a new course, apply for the loan when your course starts. You must apply at least 35 days before your course ends.
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Student Start-up Loans can be helpful if you're struggling but remember - it is a loan and once your income passes a threshold you will have to repay it.
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Find out more through the link in our bio 🔗 🎓

Watch our recent Migrants and Centrelink community

Watch our recent Migrants and Centrelink community worker training webinar now on our website! 📽️

Presented by Senior Solicitor Donna and our Events and Communications Officer, Bree, our free webinar covers residency criteria, waiting periods, Special Benefit, domestic and family violence, the impact of overseas assets and income, and a whole lot more.

Watch it now through the link in our bio 🔗

If you’re an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islande

If you’re an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander student and starting studies in 2025, you may be eligible for an ABSTUDY payment.

ABSTUDY is designed to help with the cost of going to university, and the amount you are paid varies depending on your individual circumstances.

You don’t have to wait until you start uni to get ABSTUDY. You can claim 13 weeks before your course starts, so be sure to lodge your claim early!

For more information visit the link in our bio 🔗 💛

Wishing you a very happy new year from the team at

Wishing you a very happy new year from the team at Welfare Rights Centre! 🎇 🎉

If you're on Youth Allowance, Austudy, ABSTUDY, Yo

If you're on Youth Allowance, Austudy, ABSTUDY, Youth Disability Support Pension, or Carer Allowance you will see an increase to your payments from January 1st 2025, due to indexation.

While the increase will no doubt be welcomed by recipients, we will continue to advocate for higher rates and a stronger social security safety net for all Australians.

To read the full list of payment increases please visit the link in our bio 🔗

Good news if you need to extend your medical exemp

Good news if you need to extend your medical exemption from Mutual Obligations.

From January 2025 if you’re sick or injured changes to medical exemption time limits mean you may be able to remain exempt from mutual obligation requirements for up to 24 months. This applies to people receiving JobSeeker Payment, Youth Allowance for job seekers, Parenting Payment Single or Special Benefits.

Previously the exemption time limit was 13 weeks. Medical exemptions require a doctor’s certificate which includes the amount of time you should be medically exempt.

Note* Asking for an exemption may delay your eligibility for Disability Support Pension (DSP), think carefully before you ask for one.

Learn more through the link in our bio 💙

Happy holiday season from the team at Welfare Righ

Happy holiday season from the team at Welfare Rights Centre! 🎇

We are closed from 25th December 2024, and our office reopens Monday 13th January 2025.

Our Intake Line is next open Wednesday 15th January 2025 from 9.30am - 12.30pm.
Alternatively, you can contact us through our website. Link in bio 🔗

Did you know that you can claim Youth Allowance up

Did you know that you can claim Youth Allowance up to 13 weeks before your course begins?

If in doubt, make sure you lodge a claim to get a formal decision. If you are knocked back, you can appeal. If you appeal within 13 weeks and are successful, your payment can be backdated.

Check your eligibility and start the claim process with Services Australia through the link in our bio 🔗 📚

Today is our last day of phone intake for 2024 📞

If you live in NSW and want free advice about a Centrelink decision you can contact us between 9:30am and 12:30pm today on 02 9211 5300 or 1800 226 028.

Our regular intake advice line re-opens at 9:30am Wednesday 15 January 2025. Alternatively, you can contact us through our website. Link in bio 🔗

We are looking for an Intake Officer to join the t

We are looking for an Intake Officer to join the team at our Surry Hills office.

Welfare Rights Centre provides free legal information, advice, and representation to help vulnerable people in NSW navigate the complexities of the social security system. We collaborate closely with Economic Justice Australia, our peak organisation, to advocate for a robust social security system as the foundation for a fair, just, and inclusive society.

As our Intake Officer, your primary responsibility will be to handle the intake and assessment of new and existing clients who contact the Welfare Rights Centre by phone or email. This role operates in a dynamic environment, and adaptability to change is essential.

We’re looking for someone who has at least 6 months’ experience volunteering or working in a community legal centre or who has previously worked with people who live with social and economic disadvantage.

We strongly encourage individuals from diverse backgrounds and experiences to apply.
Applications close Monday 20 January 2025.

More information including remuneration, selection criteria, position description through the link in our bio 🔗

Join Our Volunteer Program in 2025! Do you have

Join Our Volunteer Program in 2025!

Do you have 4 spare hours a week in 2025? Are you looking to develop new skills and gain valuable work experience?

At Welfare Rights Centre, we deeply value the incredible contributions of our volunteers. In return, we’re committed to supporting their training and professional growth.

If you’re ready to make a difference and join a passionate team, we’d love to hear from you!

Check out our volunteer program and apply now through the 🔗 in our bio.
Let’s create change together 💜

Next week (Mon & Wed) will be the last days of int

Next week (Mon & Wed) will be the last days of intake at Welfare Rights Centre before we close for the holiday break.

If you live in NSW and need free advice about a Centrelink decision you can contact us between 9:30am and 12:30pm next Monday 16th or Wednesday 18th December on 02 9211 5300 or 1800 226 028 📞

Our regular intake advice line re-opens at 9:30am Wednesday 15 January 2025. Alternatively, you can contact us through our website through the 🔗 in our bio.

This year we've been privileged to receive over 5,

This year we've been privileged to receive over 5,000 hours of pro bono and volunteer support, valued at more than $600,000.

A huge thank you to our incredible volunteers and pro bono partners:
Hall & Wilcox, HWL Ebsworth, Thompson Cooper, and Gilbert + Tobin.

Your time, skill, and expertise fuel our mission to provide free legal information, advice, and casework while driving impactful law reform, policy advocacy, and access to justice.

Pro bono and volunteer contributions don’t just expand our capacity—they create real, lasting change for people in crisis.

We simply could not meet the immense demand for legal assistance without your unwavering support.

To every firm and individual who partners with us: thank you for standing with our communities and helping build a fairer, more just social security system ⚖️

Meet Welfare Rights Centre Company Secretary Andre

Meet Welfare Rights Centre Company Secretary Andrew Howell.

As Company Secretary of our Board, Andrew brings a wealth of legal expertise to his role.

As a Partner at PwC specializing in tax controversy, dispute resolution, and risk management, Andrew's work closely aligns with the challenges faced by the Welfare Rights Centre. Andrew's current practice involves advising clients in disputes with government agencies and handling litigation matters in the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) and Federal Court—areas that correlate strongly with the work undertaken by Welfare Rights Centre.

His commitment to legal justice and dispute resolution makes him a crucial asset to our Board.

Andrew joined our Board in November 2022, bringing his expertise and dedication to advancing fair and just outcomes for all individuals seeking support from Welfare Rights Centre.

Read more about Andrew through the link in our bio 🔗

Today, on Human Rights Day, we celebrate the 76th

Today, on Human Rights Day, we celebrate the 76th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights—a ground-breaking document that enshrines fundamental rights, including the right to Social Security.

At Welfare Rights Centre, we’re dedicated to ensuring the people of NSW can access Social Security Justice. Every day, we fight to uphold these rights, providing essential support to those navigating the social security system.

Let’s continue working towards a future where everyone’s rights are respected, protected and fulfilled—right now.

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