• Our Work, Our Impact - 2025 Annual Report
• Social Security Amendment Bill Passes Parliament
• Expanding Our Reach - Far West NSW and NCAT
• The Robodebt Class Action: Next Steps
• Latest Online Training - Domestic and Family Violence & Centrelink

This year, we delivered real impact and provided free legal advice and help to over 1500 people.

Highlights include:

• Achieving a key policy change improving outcomes for dependent family members of refugees.

• Strengthening ties with Services Australia, with improved outcomes through the Advocates Channel.

• Expanding our pro bono partnerships, boosting support for clients with complex matters.

• Extending our outreach to regional, rural, remote and First Nations communities.

Together with staff, volunteers and partners, we continue to stand alongside people navigating the social security system. You can find out more in our Annual Report.

The Social Security and Other Legislation Amendment (Technical Changes No.2) Bill 2025 passed through Parliament last week, bringing important – though mixed – outcomes for WRC and the people we assist.

Several reforms reflect our long-standing advocacy - working together with our peak body Economic Justice Australia. Most notably, changes to the Social Security Act will now allow a discretionary debt waiver where a victim-survivor has been coerced into making false statements to Services Australia, or where a perpetrator has lied or provided false documents. These long-overdue reforms will improve fairness in the system and make an immediate difference to people whose Centrelink debts arose from financial abuse. Many WRC clients stand to benefit as soon as these amendments take effect.

However, the last-minute addition of Schedule 5 remains deeply concerning. This amendment—added after Senate committee review and without proper scrutiny—gives the Minister for Home Affairs the power to cancel a person’s social security payment if they have an outstanding arrest warrant for certain serious offences, even before any conviction.

WRC joined national advocates in opposing this measure. Despite strong sector feedback, it has passed. We will continue to advocate as these changes are implemented to safeguard our clients’ rights.

See The Conversations take on this issue: read today's article

We've been making new connections and getting out of town. In Far West NSW, Katherine Boyle has taken a break from being our CEO and spent the past 4 months as an outreach solicitor. She's been working directly with community members to resolve social security problems and laying the groundwork for a new Health Justice Partnership in Dareton with Coomealla Health Aboriginal Corporation.

In Sydney, First Nations Access Officer Allienttia Weldon continued regular attendance at the Aboriginal Tenants List at NCAT. Through this work, we’re supporting tenants dealing with both tenancy matters and underlying Centrelink issues—such as incorrect rent calculations or missed entitlements—which often place people at risk of eviction.

Working alongside dedicated tenant advocates, we help clients recover the payments they are entitled to, participate in conciliation, and ensure tenants have enough time to sort out their Centrelink matters. Our involvement helps reduce stress for tenants and prevents avoidable homelessness.

We’re expanding our reach, strengthening partnerships with Aboriginal organisations, and working towards our advocacy priority - to improve access to Centrelink for First Nations people.

The Robodebt Class Action Settlement is the largest class action settlement in Australian history. Over the next few months Services Australia will be sending out notices to those identified as a group member of the Robodebt Class Action and the Class Action Appeal who may be entitled to compensation.  Group members must register by 6 March 2026 to be included in the settlement. To register or find out more about the proposed settlement, contact Gordon Legal. Do not contact Centrelink. Group members can also elect to opt out of the settlement, or object to the terms of the settlement. Not all Group Members who register will receive compensation.

What should Robodebt victims do now?

1. Ensure that your Services Australia details are up to date.
2. Register, opt out or object with Gordon Legal by 6 March 2026.
3. Wait for the Federal Court to make a decision about the settlement and to be contacted by Services Australia.

Income apportionment was a method of calculating Centrelink debts used from the 1990s to 2020. That method is now recognised as being unlawful. The recent amendments to the Social Security Act have retrospectively validated these debt calculations, and also established a Resolution Scheme to offer small amounts of compensation to people affected by income apportionment debts. Details of the Resolution Scheme are not yet available but it is expected that affected people will get a letter with information about the scheme early in 2026.

Donating to Welfare Rights Centre helps people access free legal advice and representation when they have nowhere left to turn. This can often be the difference between having a safe place to live and food on the table.

You can help us make that difference. Donations are tax deductible

Our office will be closed from 24 Dec 2025 – 9 Jan 2026. Our intake line will close on Wed 17 Dec 2025 and reopen on Wed 14 Jan 2026. We wish you all a wonderful holiday season and a happy new year.