This response is from a Sydney woman in her 40s. She has a disability but her DSPDisability Support Pension. The working age payment for people who have been abl... claim was rejected. She has requested that her name be withheld.
I am required to meet mutual obligationsParticipation requirements welfare recipients must fulfil each month to continue... despite being too unwell. This has exacerbated my psychological conditions.
Survey responses
| Which payment do you get from Centrelink? | JobSeeker |
| Do you ever worry about losing your payment? | Yes |
| Provider names | AimBig, APM |
| Do ‘mutual’ obligations activities make your mental or physical health worse? | Yes |
| Have you been able to access programs or services through a job agency or other provider that helped to improve your physical or mental health? | No |
| Have you ever had paid work, study commitments or caring duties at the same time as being required to do ‘mutual’ obligations? | Yes, I have been a carer for an adult; Yes, I have been a student |
| Do you have any paid work? | No |
If you were able to speak directly to the politicians who decide what we need to do to get a Centrelink payment, what would you say to them?
Find a better, compassionate solution for Jobseekers – mutual obligations set up unrealistic & unachievable tasks. Job Service Providers are an expensive rort. They police welfare recipients & provide no appropriate support.
Do you do any unpaid work?
Carer duties for Mum
Do you want to say anything about your experience with Centrelink or living on payments?
Living on Centrelink payments is dehumanising. I have to prioritise medical costs over other financial commitments & expenses. I have been deemed ineligible for the DSP. In my experience job service providers tell you to meet obligations but provide no support to assist someone with disability get a job.
What effect do ‘mutual’ obligations have on your wellbeing?
I have OCD, Major Depressive Disorder, Generalised Anxiety Disorder. I also have Epilepsy & Crohn’s Disease. Centrelink no longer accepted my medical exemptions. Therefore I am required to meet mutual obligations despite being too unwell. This has exacerbated my psychological conditions.
Yes, and my payment was late Yes, and my payment was suspendedHas a provider ever caused a problem with your payment?
Respondents may select more than one option
- Yes, and my payment was late
- Yes, and my payment was suspended
Do you want to say anything about your experience with your providers?
The AimBig officer/consultant(?) I’ve been assigned provides no assistance relative to my disability ie in my experience a disability provider is no different to the job service provider that I was previously assigned to (APM).
APM was not interested in assisting my job search skills. No different from when I dealt with them as a jobactive provider 2016 to 2018.
Employment services survey
The Punishment for Profit report is based on hundreds of responses to surveys conducted by the Antipoverty Centre. This research is ongoing. If you are in Workforce Australia, Disability Employment Services or a similar program, we welcome any information you are able to share about your experiences.