Summary

5.1 This chapter considers aspects of the social security system that may act as barriers to work for mature age persons, and makes a number of proposals to address these barriers. The ALRC proposes that the methods for communicating information about social security payments and entitlements to mature age persons be evaluated, and that staff of employment services providers receive training in the barriers to work faced by mature age persons.

5.2 In relation to specific income support payments, the ALRC invites further stakeholder comment on the possible effects on workforce participation of changes to the income test withdrawal rate for mature age Newstart Allowance recipients. Comment is also sought on the ways in which the review process for qualification for the Disability Support Pension may create barriers to mature age participation in the workforce or other productive work. The ALRC proposes that a more flexible interpretation to combining care with work, education, training or voluntary work be taken when assessing qualification for Carer Payment. The ALRC also proposes that the Work Bonus amount for Age Pension and Veterans’ Age Service Pension be indexed, and that Pensioner Education Supplement be extended to recipients of Age Pension and Veterans’ Age Service Pension.