Jobseeker to rise by $56 a fortnight but Albanese government unlikely to offer further boost

The Australian jobseeker rate has grown by 17% since May 2022 but remains well below the poverty line. Photograph: Jessica Hromas/The Guardian

Welfare payments are unlikely to be increased further by the government beyond indexation, despite the growing cost of basic goods and services.

The jobseeker payment is slated to increase by $56 a fortnight on 20 September, when the $40 a fortnight increase announced in the budget will come into effect, as well as 2.2% indexation for cost of living.