Our Impact

Welfare Rights Centre works to create a fair, just and accessible social security system that provides all people with the resources they need to lead a life that is meaningful to them.

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 will be forever grateful and without you guys I would most certainly be on the streets."

- WRC Client

2020/2021
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People helped

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Information and legal advices about how to resolve Centrelink issues

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Collection of evidence & advocacy to Centrelink

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Appeals to the AAT

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Referrals to community services for further assistance

2026
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1933

people helped

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84%

positive outcomes (from known client outcomes)

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$467K

arrears paid

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$477K

debts waived

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$2.4M

total financial benefit to clients

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 2025 - 2026, we delivered a wide-ranging program of community engagement, community worker training and law reform activities. Over 1900 individuals participated in our community worker training program, including our annual Disability Support Pension Community of Practice.

Community organisations reported increased expertise and improved productivity as a result of our community legal education program.

“Your training is so helpful and of such high quality. I always attend sessions whenever possible as they add to my toolkit every time.”

- Angela, Financial Counsellor

98%

rated the session they attended as good or excellent

93%

agreed or strongly agreed that they felt more capable of helping people deal with Centrelink as a result of attending a session

96%

stated that the training was relevant to their area of work

68%

of participants had used training to help resolve a client's Centrelink problem

“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
For more information on ways to support our work click here