‘Alarming’: Number of Australians on Welfare Jumps to 2.1 Million

Australia’s reliance on welfare payments has reached new heights, with the number of recipients now over 2.1 million, just under 8 percent of the population, according to new think tank research. This figure represents an additional 425,000 welfare recipients compared to the pre-COVID-19 era. It has largely been driven by the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)—a taxpayer-backed program that helps pay for disability services. The figure has sparked concern about Australia’s growing welfare culture at a time of flatlining economic growth, stretched finances, and surging debt levels. According to research by the Melbourne-based think tank Institute of Public Affairs (IPA), about 2.1 million Australians over 15 are receiving welfare through the NDIS, Disability Support Pension (DSP), Jobseeker, or Youth Allowance....