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The aim of this program is to ensure unemployed people receive adequate income support. Where possible, payments are linked to provision of opportunities and incentives to enter or re-enter the workforce.
Income support for the unemployed was introduced, as unemployment benefit, in 1945. At the time it was primarily a short-term payment for people moving from one full-time job to another.
In recent decades the labour market has undergone significant structural change. High levels of unemployment and particularly long-term unemployment have persisted through the late 1990s and now into the 21st century.
SELECTED PAYMENTS FOR STUDENTS AND THE UNEMPLOYED(a), Tasmania - June 2003
|
 | Recipients at June 2003(b) |
| |
| no. |
|
| Newstart Allowance | 18,204 |
| Youth Allowance | 12,848 |
| Partner Allowance | 4,183 |
| Austudy Payment | 1,474 |
| Widow Allowance | 1,193 |
| Mature Age Allowance | 1,667 |
(a) As at May 2004, Centrelink figures have been revised to conform to new standard definitions.
(b) For allowance payments, recipient numbers include those receiving a nil rate of payment.
Source: Centrelink. |
To receive Newstart Allowance, a person must be: aged 21 years or over and under Age Pension age; unemployed; an Australian resident and be in Australia; prepared to enter into, comply with and vary an existing Preparing for Work Agreement; and, satisfy an activity test.
At June 2003 there were 18,204 recipients of Newstart Allowance in Tasmania.
RECIPIENTS OF NEWSTART ALLOWANCE, Tasmania(a)(b)
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| | Unit | June 2001 | June 2002 | June 2003 |
|
| Age group (years) | | | | |
| Less than 21(c) | no. | - | - | - |
| 21-34 | no. | 9,346 | 8,903 | 8,577 |
| 35-54 | no. | 8,601 | 7,965 | 7,680 |
| 55-59 | no. | 1,501 | 1,659 | 1,620 |
| 60 and over | no. | 318 | 377 | 327 |
Sex | | | | |
| Males | no. | 14,704 | 13,943 | 13,142 |
| Females | no. | 5,062 | 4,961 | 5,062 |
| Persons | no. | 19,766 | 18,904 | 18,204 |
- nil or rounded to zero
(a) Figures have been revised to include all eligible customers.
(b) As at May 2004, Centrelink figures have been revised to conform to new standard definitions.
(c) From 1 July 1998, Newstart Allowance (NSA) for people aged 16-20 years (and certain people aged 15 years) was replaced by Youth Allowance (YA). Only those people on NSA or Sickness Allowance who were also aged 18 to 20 years at 17 June 1997 (the date of YA announcement), and remained on NSA at 1 July 1998, were able to continue on NSA.
Source: Centrelink. |
Additional information about payments for students and the unemployed is available from the Centrelink web site.
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