We are looking for an Intake Officer to join the team at our Surry Hills office.

Welfare Rights Centre provides free legal information, advice, and representation to help vulnerable people in NSW navigate the complexities of the social security system. We collaborate closely with Economic Justice Australia, our peak organisation, to advocate for a robust social security system as the foundation for a fair, just, and inclusive society.

As our Intake Officer, your primary responsibility will be to handle the intake and assessment of new and existing clients who contact the Welfare Rights Centre by phone or email. You will also play a vital role in recruiting, training and supporting volunteers, while ensuring the smooth operation of our casework management systems. This role operates in a dynamic environment, and adaptability to change is essential.

We’re looking for someone who has at least 6 months’ experience volunteering or working in a community legal centre or who has previously worked with people who live with social and economic disadvantage.

We strongly encourage individuals from diverse backgrounds and experiences to apply.

See the link in our bio for more information including remuneration, selection criteria, position description, and how to apply. Applications close Monday 9 October 2023.

We’ve been providing free legal advice for 40 years… and we could not have done it without the support of our dedicated staff, amazing Board members and many generous volunteers.

Your efforts have helped us hold Government to account – supporting tens of thousands of people to access their social security rights.

We’re currently compiling an accurate list of all those who’ve previously worked with us. So if you’re a former volunteer, Board or staff member, please click the link in our bio so we can add you to our list.

Please feel free to share this post among your networks. And if you’re in touch with other WRC alumni, please let them know to get in touch.

Link in bio

A lot of Centrelink payments are increasing by $40/fortnight from today. That includes the full rate of JobSeeker Payment, Youth Allowance, Parenting Payment (Partnered), Austudy, ABSTUDY, Disability Support Pension (Youth), and Special Benefit.

These payments regularly increase on 20 April and 20 September each year, but this increase is bigger than usual. It was announced as part of the 2023 Federal Budget.

Many people will only get a partial increase for their first payment after 20 September, as the pay cycle will cover days before and after the rate increase.

The increase will not apply to Age Pension, Disability Support Pension or Parenting Payment (Single) which continue to be paid at a higher rate than the payments listed above.

Yes, that`s us – Welfare Rights Centre staff and board walking to support the Yes campaign in Sydney last Sunday.

In our work, we see how the social security system has often failed to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families, including being slow to recognise family and kinship arrangements.

We want the Voice because we need expert First Nations advice to Parliament to ensure our social security system effectively supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families.

We encourage all Australians to vote YES for the Voice.

#Yes23 #VoteYes #UluruStatement

A major change to Parenting Payment starts tomorrow.

For more than a decade, Parenting Payment has cut out when a single parent’s youngest child turned 8, with many parents forced onto JobSeeker. That is a loss of almost $200/fortnight and a way harsher income test.

From 20 September 2023, Parenting Payment (single) will be available for single parents until their youngest child turns 14. Parenting Payment is paid to a child`s main carer so only one parent can receive it.

Centrelink has contacted many people receiving JobSeeker or Youth Allowance who may be eligible for Parenting Payment to arrange the transition. If you haven`t heard from Centrelink, we advise contacting them asap on their employment services line - 132 850. That includes people on other Centrelink payments (e.g. Austudy), who may want to check whether they should be getting Parenting Payment.

#ParentingPayment #Centrelink