6 Oct 2025

Criticism over new rules for young people accessing benefit

From Checkpoint, 4:48 pm on 6 October 2025

Criticism is ramping up about the government's proposed new threshold for young people needing to access the benefit. From next November, 18 and 19 year olds will have to take a parental assistance test when applying for a benefit - and will be ineligible if their parents earn more than $65,000. Both the Council of Trade Unions and the Taxpayers union have pointed out it could work as a disincentive, where parents might be worse off for earning more. Political reporter Lillian Hanly spoke to Lisa Owen.