Australia is fortunate to have a social security system designed to support people when they lose work, become unwell, raise children, care for family, or study for a better future.

In NSW over 1.6 million people rely on that safety net every day. 

But too often, that safety net has holes.

Claims are rejected. Payments are cancelled. Debts are raised. Mistakes are made. People are asked to navigate a complex legal system at the exact moment they are least able to.

Every year, tens of thousands of people are denied access to the income support they are entitled to — not because they are ineligible, but because they need specialist legal help to challenge the decision.

And right now, there simply is not enough of that help available.

Without income support, people fall quickly into crisis.

People are forced to rely on food banks, emergency relief, homelessness services and family violence supports just to survive. Financial stress compounds trauma, damages mental health and can trap people in unsafe housing or unsafe relationships.

Free social security legal advice can change that trajectory.

When WRC helps someone overturn a wrongful Centrelink decision, restore a cancelled payment or waive an incorrect debt, the impact is immediate: income is reinstated, housing is secured, bills can be paid and people regain a measure of stability and control.

It is not just a legal outcome. It is the difference between spiralling deeper into poverty and having a path forward.

Demand for our services continues to grow.

As the cost of living rises, and we teeter on the edge of a recession, more people than ever are struggling to survive on low incomes — and for those shut out of Centrelink altogether, the pressure is unbearable.

With your support, we can continue providing free legal advice and advocacy to people facing financial crisis when they need it most.

A donation to WRC helps ensure that when Centrelink gets it wrong, someone is there to fight for what is right.

Together we can transform lives - Thank you

Each year we provide help and support to over 1500 individuals. Over 80% of these people are in a high category of risk.

We help them to access the income support they need to live.

In the last financial year our clients have received Centrelink payments, arrears and debts waived to the value of $1,770,000. Here are just a few of their stories.

receiving the correct rate of Rent Assistance and supported her to seek a review that could significantly reduce the debt.

We also helped Tara address an underpayment of Family Tax Benefit, improving her ongoing income and giving her greater financial stability.

With specialist legal advice and advocacy, Tara was able to take steps to protect her tenancy and keep a safe home for her children.

This support not only reduces financial strain but also helps clients focus on their health, wellbeing, and independence

We recently helped a client access Disability Support Pension after months without income.

They can now afford the medication they need every day instead of going without and risking their health.

We continue to advise dependent family members of refugees whose claims for Centrelink payments have been rejected.

These clients are eligible to receive income support.

A recent client who had repeatedly attempted to claim income support and been rejected received over $9,000 in arrears and is now on payment. The family can now afford to stay in their home.

• Social Security for Women Outside our Cities: Service Delivery Barriers
• Social Security For Women Outside Our Cities: Issues of Eligibility
• Social Security For Women Outside Our Cities: Intersectional Issues

Centrelink problems, the service has become a much-needed source of support in the community. As word has spread, more residents have been accessing free legal advice and assistance that would otherwise be difficult — and in many cases impossible — to obtain.

“Being there makes a huge difference. It is eye-opening to see just how many people are affected by problems with Centrelink,” Katherine said.

“There are so many people here who need our help and who previously would have gone without it.”

The impact of this place-based approach has been strongly felt by the local community and partner organisations alike.

Summer Hunt, CEO of Coomealla Health Aboriginal Corporation, said the outreach service had been warmly received by community members.

“Thank you for all that you have done for our community during your time with us at CHAC. I have received many compliments from members of the community that you have helped and assisted over the last few months.”

WRC’s experience in Dareton reinforces what we know to be true: when legal services are delivered consistently, locally and in partnership with trusted community organisations, people are far more likely to get the help they need.

Without sustained investment in place-based services, too many people living outside our cities will continue to miss out on critical advice, advocacy and access to income support.

Download practical factsheets with helpful guides to Centrelink and Debts, Domestic Violence and Centrelink, Carers Payments and how to get DSP - Information & Factsheets

Recordings of our training are available online - Training Videos

Gordon Legal will continue to accept late registrations for the Robodebt class action settlement scheme up until 15 May. These late registrations will then be considered by the Federal Court at the settlement approval hearing, which is listed for 22-23 June 2026. For more information contact Gordon Legal via their online registration portal.

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