Hi

This month, I’m pleased to step back into my role as CEO of Welfare Rights Centre, after spending the past six months working on outreach with the Coomealla Health Aboriginal Corporation in Dareton. It has been a privilege to support community members to navigate Centrelink and access essential financial support, and I will continue this outreach work while resuming my leadership role.

I would like to sincerely thank Principal Solicitor Natalie Ross for her excellent leadership and all our senior solicitors who in turn shared the role of Principal Solicitor during this time, ensuring continuity of our service and ongoing support for our clients.

As I return to the role, I look forward to continuing our work supporting people across NSW access income support and challenge unfair debts. I remain committed to strengthening our advocacy, and exploring new opportunities to expand access to social security legal assistance for those who need it most.

Katherine Boyle CEO

Using the power of language in shaping social security reform

A new evidence-based messaging guide launched by Economic Justice Australia in partnership with Common Cause Australia is helping advocates, community workers and policymakers rethink how we talk about social security.

Framing Social Security: Message Guide provides practical tools to support more effective advocacy while avoiding language that can unintentionally reinforce stigma. Drawing on extensive research and interviews, the guide shows how communications can build broader public understanding and support for a fair and accessible social security system.

The resource encourages advocates to centre real experiences, emphasise shared values such as fairness and care, and focus on the role social security plays in providing stability and supporting people through difficult periods.

The guide also responds directly to Recommendation 10.1 of the Robodebt Royal Commission, which called for a shift in the language used to describe social security and the people who rely on it. In her final report, Commissioner Catherine Holmes highlighted the powerful role language plays in shaping public attitudes and called for an end to divisive narratives about people who receive income support.

This new guide is a valuable resource for the community legal sector and others working to improve access to social security. By helping advocates communicate more effectively, it supports broader efforts to challenge stigma and strengthen public understanding of the vital role social security plays in supporting individuals, families and communities.

Download the Framing Social Security: Message Guide

Services Australia has advised they’ve begun contacting people affected by income apportionment. For those people with Centrelink debts based on employment income that were previously paused, Centrelink may now be in contact to recover their debt. They may also notify them about their eligibility for the Resolution Scheme.

To be eligible for the Resolution Scheme, ALL of these must apply:

• Received an employment income debt for a period between 20 September 2003 and 6 December 2020
• The debt was likely affected by income apportionment and was raised before 5 December 2025
• They have not been prosecuted and found guilty of fraud for that debt
• The debt was not already waived in full or reduced to zero before 30 January 2026

If there is more than one eligible debt, they can apply for a Resolution Scheme payment for each one.
To check eligibility, apply through Centrelink. Centrelink accounts and/or myGov details may need to be updated to access the scheme.

Services Australia Income Apportionment Resolution Scheme.

For free, independent advice to help understand debt options contact us:

Welfare Rights Centre

Need to catch up on previous Community Worker Training webinars? We have video recordings of our training available online. Training Videos

Workshop coming soon – South West Sydney community workers

We will be delivering a free, in-person workshop for community workers in South West Sydney.

This workshop is designed for workers who support migrants, refugees, and women and families experiencing family and domestic violence or at risk of homelessness, and who need to navigate Centrelink issues.

Join us to build your knowledge and confidence in supporting clients with social security problems. Follow us on social media for updates.

The Settlement Scheme for the Robodebt Class Action Appeal is currently taking registrations for affected people. Registrations close at 4pm (AEDT) on 6 March 2026. People who were impacted by Robodebt may be able to access additional compensation through this scheme, regardless of whether they participated in the first settlement scheme.

To register:

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.

Economic Justice Australia have developed a helpful fact sheet about the registration process. 

Download the Robodebt Class Action Appeal Settlement Scheme Factsheet 

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