Centrelink ‘truth bomb’ that will anger many Aussies

Australians can make more money going on Centrelink than working part-time – prompting a comedian to joke that many are better off on the dole.

The minimum wage of $24.10 an hour adds up to $385.60 a week for someone working 16 hours part-time.

But JobSeeker pays $389 a week for someone who is unemployed and single with no children.

A comedian on social media posted a humorous video suggesting that working part-time at minimum wage was not worth it, joking that it’s better to rely on Centrelink.

He pointed to a waiting staff job paying between $22 and $25 an hour that was advertised on the Gold Coast.

‘Who would want to work for $22 to $25 bucks an hour for 10 hours to 20 hours. You’re better off on Centrelink, man,’ he said, in the persona of a dole cheat.

‘I wouldn’t even waste your time. Even Centrelink pays more than that.’

With unemployment still low, hospitality businesses are struggling to recruit staff.

This means that restaurants and cafes have to close early or even stop trading because they don’t have sufficient labour to stay open.

Going on the dole or working part-time wouldn’t pay the rent in a capital city where $619 is the median weekly rent for a unit.

This makes share house living the only option for the unemployed or those on the minimum wage.

But unemployment in Australia is still low at 4.1 per cent with 15,900 jobs created in October.

Of those, 9,700 were full-time and 6,200 were part-time, the Australian Bureau of Statistics data showed.

Western Australia has the lowest jobless rate of 3.9 per cent with Queensland and New South Wales not far behind on 4 per cent.

Australians can make more going on Centrelink than working part time. Pictured is a Centrelink office on the Gold Coast

Hospitality wages grew by 3.5 per cent in the year to September, which was in line with the broader economy. 

But JobSeeker payments rose by 2 per cent or $15.30 a fortnight on September 20, taking benefits to $778 every two weeks.

The dole was also indexed on March 20, rising by 1.8 per cent or $13.50 to $762.70 a fortnight.

That means the unemployed have enjoyed a 3.8 per cent annual increase in benefits, indexed for inflation.

This was also broadly in line with the 3.75 per cent increase in the minimum wage that came into force on July 1.