Our Impact
Welfare Rights Centre works to create a fair, just and inclusive society where everyone has the resources they need to live a meaningful life.
Casework
Every year, we provide free legal information, advice and representation to the many NSW residents who come to us for help after being adversely affected by a Centrelink decision. Our work usually involves getting people onto payment (or onto the correct payment) and helping people dispute Centrelink debts that seem unfair or incorrect. The results of our casework can be life changing.
“I like the way WRC talks to me. It’s beautiful.
It’s worth billions of dollars.”
- WRC Client
It’s worth billions of dollars.”
- WRC Client
2024
1449
People helped
1880
Information and legal advices about how to resolve Centrelink issues
245
Collection of evidence & advocacy to Centrelink
16
Appeals
237
Referrals to community services for further assistance
Clients tell us that our advice and support has:
- Increased their access to income support
- Improved their finances
- Reduced their stress
- Improved their health
- Given them a much clearer understanding of the Centrelink system
“Without Welfare Rights Centre I would have been 100% worse off."
- WRC Client
Community Engagement
In 2023 - 2024, we delivered a wide ranging program of community engagement, community legal education and law reform activities. Over 2500 individuals participated in our community education webinars.
Community organisations reported increased expertise and improved productivity as a result of our community legal education program.
“Being informed and having more knowledge under my belt enables me to do my role more effectively. The more information I can give my clients, the more they can do in terms of self-advocacy.”
- Workshop Participant
- Workshop Participant
94%
rated the session they attended as good or excellent
95%
said they would be able to apply the knowledge they learned
96%
stated the materials provided were useful
86%
agreed or strongly agreed that they felt more capable of helping people deal with Centrelink as a result of attending a session
“WRC is recognised as a specialist in Centrelink issues. We refer all our clients when they have those types of issues. No one else provides the same type of services.”
- Community Worker
- Community Worker
For more information on ways to support our work click here