Australian Council of Social Service
Raise the Rate for Good
The campaign to Raise the Rate for Good is key to reducing poverty and inequal...
TOTAL GRANTED
$205,000
Impact AreaTackling Inequality
Year First Supported 2019
RAISING THE RATE TO KEEP AUSTRALIANS OUT OF POVERTY
The campaign to Raise the Rate for Good is key to reducing poverty and inequality in Australia. The goal of the Raise the Rate for Good campaign is to fix our social security safety net for good so that it keeps people out of poverty, with an income of at least $70 a day.
ISSUE
Australians relying on unemployment payments are at significant risk of living in poverty, living on a base rate of $40 per day before Covid-19. Prior to adjustments made in response to Covid-19, these payments had not increased in real terms in 25 years, making it difficult for people receiving them to afford the basics. The low rate of government allowances, even taking into account the recent Covid-19 adjustments, continues to contribute to inequality in Australia, causing people who rely on payments to fall further behind.
RESPONSE
The Raise the Rate for Good campaign seeks to change the prevailing public narrative about people who rely on income support. It works to do that by building a grassroots and online campaign and mobilising a diverse range of high-profile influencers to build parliamentary support for change. The campaign is informed by research generated through the ACOSS and UNSW Poverty and Inequality Partnership with UNSW (also supported by the Impact Fund).
PROGRESS UPDATE
UPDATED MARCH 2022
- Community voices amplified: Over 15,000 supporters have signed onto the campaign with an unprecedented number of people with lived experience engaging in the campaign.
- Permanent increase to income support achieved: In response to pressure built through the campaign, heightened by the impacts of Covid-19, the Federal Government announced a permanent $50 increase to fortnightly income support payments. While criticised as being insufficient and continuing to allow Australians to live below the poverty line, the increase is significant and represents an additional $3 billion a year in support for vulnerable Australians.
WHAT THE IMPACT FUND’S SUPPORT MEANS
“Thanks to the campaign and support from Impact Funders, we were able to convince the Federal Government to introduce the Coronavirus Supplement, and almost double JobSeeker during the pandemic.” – Dr Cassandra Goldie, CEO, ACOSS
GRANTS
- 2019 Large Grants round: $150,000 in campaign support
- 2020 ‘Supporting Our Partners’ Covid-19 Agile Grant: $55,000 in campaign support
Australian Council of Social Service
Established in 1956, the Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS) is a national advocate for people affected by poverty, disadvantage and inequality, and the peak council for community services nationally. ACOSS's national membership network links a broad spectrum of community services across Australia supporting people affected by poverty and inequality.
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