Encourage self-reliance and support people who cannot fully support themselves by providing sustainable social security payments and assistance.

Summary and analysis of Outcome 1 performance

The social security system promotes self-reliance and aims to break the cycle of long-term welfare dependence, while providing adequate support for those who need it.

The sustainability of the social security system and the capacity of people to achieve and maintain financial self-reliance over their lifetime relies on many factors, some beyond the direct influence of the department. These factors include labour market conditions, availability and alignment of education and job opportunities, and increasing life expectancy. We work in close partnership with other Australian Government agencies to develop and implement cross-portfolio strategies aimed at influencing these and other factors in order to deliver an efficient and effective social security system.

In the past year, the social security system has demonstrated its flexibility and responsiveness to supporting Australians in need. In February 2020, the proportion of working age Australians receiving welfare benefits had fallen to its lowest level in more than 30 years, with 13.5 per cent of the working age population receiving working age income support payments at June 2019. This was a drop from the previous year’s level of 14.3 per cent and a significant reduction over the previous decade when in 2009 the proportion of working age Australians relying on welfare was 17.2 per cent.

The social security system was able to rapidly respond to the economic impacts resulting from health measures put in place to protect Australians from the COVID-19 pandemic. Between March and April 2020, the number of income support recipients increased by 9.9 per cent from 5.0 million to 5.5 million and a range of temporary measures were introduced to the system to support Australians who lost their jobs.

Outcome 1 Programs and Key Activities

Outcome 1 comprises 12 programs and a number of activities that contribute to the achievement of the social security outcome. We support those most in need and help people become and remain financially self-reliant. We provide a range of payments through the administration of a social security system. The tables below outline how the objectives of this purpose were achieved through delivery of measurable activities. Our program performance in 2019–20 is measured through agreements in place with relevant service providers and the performance of key activities is assessed using cross-program performance indicators and measures.

Table 2.1.1: Outcome 1 Programs and Key Activities

Performance Results of Programs

This section describes the 2019–20 results of the program performance measured through agreements in place with relevant service providers.

C1.4 Extent to which delivery meets program objective

This criterion assesses whether funds have been spent consistent with the program objective with a focus on appropriate delivery of payments.

C1.4.1 Program performance criteria and associated milestones/standards

Table 2.1.2: Program performance criteria and associated milestones/standards

Performance Analysis of Outcome 1 Programs

Outcome 1 program’s performance criteria (as outlined in the 2019–20 Portfolio Budget Statements) is about having agreements in place with Services Australia. As much of the data and activity outputs are demand driven and intersect with changes in the economy the delivery of policy intent by Services Australia is critical. The Administrative Arrangements Orders (AAOs) of 5 December 2019 were updated to reflect Services Australia as an Executive Agency within the Social Services Portfolio.

During the COVID-19 pandemic response, the portfolio arrangements were critical in ensuring a whole of portfolio response to the COVID-19 pandemic and in delivering working age payments, particularly JobSeeker Payment to assist Australians who lost their jobs or had their hours of work reduced. This also included repurposing the department’s Enid Lyons Building at Tuggeranong, Canberra and providing staff from the department to take calls and process claims during the peak of the pandemic.

As a result of the changes to AAOs and the review of our performance measures from 2020–21 the program measures reflect key policy activities and targets.

Performance Results of Key Activities

This section describes the performance of the key activities in Outcome 1. The table below outlines our Corporate Plan performance criteria and indicators for Outcome 1, which show how we intend to measure what we achieved, how well we did, and how much we did. Not all activities report against every performance criterion. Where appropriate, analysis has also been provided.

Table 2.1.3: Cross program performance criteria for Outcome 1 – Social Security

Programs: 1.1 Family Tax Benefit; 1.2 Child Payments; 1.3 Income Support for Vulnerable People; 1.4 Income Support for People in Special Circumstances; 1.5 Supplementary Payments and Support for Income Support Recipients; 1.6 Income Support for Seniors; 1.7 Allowances and Concessions for Seniors; 1.8 Income Support for People with Disability; 1.9 Income Support for Carers; 1.10 Working Age Payments; 1.11 Student Payments; XP (Cross Program); XPRA (Cross Program) Rent Assistance.

Source: Corporate Plan 2019–20 and Portfolio Budget Statements 2019–20.

C1.1 Sustainability of the payments system

This criterion measures the sustainability of the payments system by estimating the expected average future welfare payments to be made over the remaining future lifetimes of the Australian resident population. The analysis is taken from the Australian Priority Investment Approach to Welfare actuarial model. This model can be used to contribute to longer-term thinking about costs and sustainability of the welfare system. The assessment of projected future lifetime costs will help identify where interventions may improve sustainability outcomes.

C1.1.1 Average future lifetime cost (in current year dollars) of total welfare payments to individuals

In the actuarial model, welfare recipients are assigned to a unique welfare class grouping that reflects their life situation and welfare usage. Classes are defined by the payment types currently being received. Further detail about this is provided in the 30 June 2018 Valuation Report.

Each valuation estimates the net present value of the future lifetime cost of the welfare system by applying a discount rate to future costs to bring them back to today’s dollars. While the first three valuations (2015, 2016 and 2017) used a discount rate of 6 per cent, the discount rate for the 2018 valuation was reduced to 5 per cent to reflect economic conditions and to align with other government publications. To enable the comparability of the 2017 and 2018 lifetime costs, the 2017 results have been ‘rebased’ using a 5 per cent discount rate.

Analysis

The total future lifetime cost for the Australian resident population is estimated to be $5.7 trillion as at 30 June 2018. This is approximately $636 billion (10.1 per cent) lower than the rebased 2017 lifetime cost of $6.3 trillion. Tables 2.1.4a and 2.1.4b show the contribution of each welfare class and population group to the total future lifetime cost and the average future lifetime cost for each group.

Table 2.1.4a: Total future lifetime cost (in current year dollars) by current welfare class

a Future lifetime cost is defined at the valuation date as the net present value of future in-scope payments made to people over the remainder of their natural lifetimes. Due to rounding, numbers may not add up precisely to the total provided.

b The 2017 results have been ‘rebased’ using a 5 per cent discount rate to enable the comparability of the 2017 and 2018 lifetime costs.

c One-year lag for reporting of data.

Table 2.1.4b: Average future lifetime cost (in current year dollars) by current welfare class

a Future lifetime cost is defined at the valuation date as the net present value of future in-scope payments made to people over the remainder of their natural lifetimes. Average future lifetime cost refers to the per person lifetime cost for a group of people. Note the one-year lag for reporting the data.

b The 2017 results have been ‘rebased’ using a 5 per cent discount rate to enable the comparability of the 2017 and 2018 lifetime costs.

C1.2 Extent to which payment recipients have improved financial self-reliance

This criterion comprises a number of proxy indicators for financial self-reliance that measures contact with the social security payment system. These indicators are designed to capture the extent to which people that have the capacity to do so access financial resources beyond the payment they are receiving. These indicators are:

• expected average proportion of future years not receiving income support payments
• percentage of recipients who are not receiving income support within three, six, and 12 months after exiting student payments
• percentage of recipients who exit income support within three, six, and 12 months
• percentage of recipients reporting employment income
• percentage of recipients receiving a part rate of payment due to the income or assets test.

The five indicators apply differently across payments, based on payment objectives and the extent of financial independence and duration on payment expected for different groups of people. More measures apply to activity-tested programs as these are explicitly trying to improve self-reliance and provide opportunities to exit the income support system.

C1.2.1 Expected average proportion of future years not receiving income support payments

This indicator measures the expected average proportion of future years that an individual will not receive income support payments over their expected future lifetime as simulated by the Australian Priority Investment Approach to Welfare actuarial model. This helps us understand expected future reliance on the social security system for Australian residents.

Table 2.1.5: Expected average proportion of future years not receiving income support payments, June 2018

a This measure captures information on an annual basis; that is, the number of future years for which no income support payment would be made to the individual (expressed as a percentage of their expected future lifetime years). It is not a measure of the number of fortnightly payment periods in which individuals do not receive payment.

b Note the one-year lag for reporting the data.

C1.2.2 Percentage of recipients who are not receiving income support 3/6/12 months after exiting student payments

This indicator measures the reliance of former recipients of student payments on income support three, six, and 12 months after leaving student payments. It is a proxy indicator for sustained self-reliance.

Table 2.1.6: Percentage of recipients who are not receiving income support 3/6/12 months after exiting Student Payments

a Group comprises recipients who exited from Student Payments in calendar years 2018, 2017 and 2016.

b Includes Australian apprentices.

c ABSTUDY Living Allowance only.

C1.2.3 Percentage of recipients who exit income support within 3/6/12 months

This indicator demonstrates how quickly activity-tested recipients have been able to exit from income support and is a proxy measure of self-reliance. Activity-tested recipients are those who have mutual obligation requirements to look for work or undertake other activities and who are normally expected to have a short duration on payment.

Analysis

The proportion of people exiting Newstart Allowance/JobSeeker Payment, Youth Allowance (other) and Special Benefit within 12 months has decreased, compared to the previous year. This can, in part, be explained by the economic downturn that occurred as a result of the health response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Recipients exit income support for a variety of reasons, including employment, personal income from other sources, partner income, parental income (for Youth Allowance (other) recipients only), or assets.

Table 2.1.7: Percentage of recipients who exit income support within 3/6/12 months

a JobSeeker Payment replaced Newstart Allowance on 20 March 2020.

b Includes Newstart Allowance and JobSeeker Payment recipients.

c Includes Newstart Allowance recipients only.

C1.2.4 Percentage of recipients reporting employment income

This indicator uses receipt of employment income to demonstrate a person’s connection to the workforce. Reporting income from employment is a proxy for improved financial self-reliance.

The results for this measure will vary by payment. For some groups, such as secondary students, principal carers of children under school age, carers, people with disability, and seniors, it is recognised there is a reduced capacity to undertake paid work. Students are provided with additional incentives to work through a higher personal income-free area and income bank. This is consistent with the Government’s objectives of increasing financial self‑reliance.

Analysis

The economic downturn that occurred from March 2020 as a result of the health response to the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in decreased opportunities for people to take up paid work.

Only 1.7 per cent of all Special Benefit recipients report employment income as many recipients are over Age Pension age.

The proportion of Age Pension recipients reporting employment income in 2019–20 has declined to 4.0 per cent after being relatively steady in the previous two years (4.2 per cent in 2017–18, 4.3 per cent in 2018–19).

Disability Support Pension recipients reporting employment income continued to decline to 6.9 per cent in 2019–20 from previous years (8.0 per cent in 2017–18 and 7.8 per cent in 2018–19). The low proportion of recipients reporting employment income reflects that the Disability Support Pension is designed to support those with limited capacity to work.

The low percentage of Carer Payment recipients reporting employment income (between 8.3 and 9.3 per cent over the past three financial years) reflects the targeting of the payment to carers who have limited capacity to engage in employment.

The proportion of working age payment recipients reporting employment income has generally remained steady, although there was a slight fall for Newstart Allowance/JobSeeker Payment.

Parenting Payment Partnered, Sickness Allowance, Partner Allowance and Widow Allowance recipients are less likely to have employment income as these recipients are not subject to mutual obligation requirements.

Parenting Payment Single has a higher income limit than other working age payments, which allows recipients with higher levels of earnings to remain entitled to the payment.

Table 2.1.8: Percentage of recipients reporting employment income

a Wife Pension (Disability Support Pension) closed on 20 March 2020, these recipients were transferred to Carer Payment, Age Pension or JobSeeker Payment and the percentage of recipients reporting employment income is reflected in the payment to which these people transferred.

b JobSeeker Payment replaced Newstart Allowance on 20 March 2020.

c Sickness Allowance closed to new recipients on 20 March 2020 and all but six existing recipients transitioned to JobSeeker Payment.

d Includes Australian apprentices.

e ABSTUDY Living Allowance only.

C1.2.5 Percentage of recipients receiving a part rate of payment due to income or assets tests

This indicator shows the proportion of payment recipients with additional means (income or assets over free areas in the means test) who need less support from the payments system. A higher proportion of the population in receipt of a part rate of payment indicates a higher financial capacity to provide some level of self-support. Some payments only apply income tests.

Payment rates may be reduced under the income test due to income earnt by the recipient or their partner or, for Youth Allowance only, parental income.

The high proportion of Special Benefit recipients receiving a part rate is due to the strict Special Benefit income test whereby all income and the value of in‑kind support, such as free board and lodgings, reduces the Special Benefit rate by that amount.

Analysis

The proportion of Age Pension recipients on part rate due to the means test reduced to 32.8 per cent in 2019–20 compared to around 38 per cent in the previous two financial years. The proportion in receipt of a part rate is highest for pensioners aged 70 and under.

Over the longer-term, it is expected the proportion of Age Pension recipients on the part rate will increase, because newer retirees are more likely to have accumulated superannuation savings due to the introduction of compulsory superannuation in 1992.

The downward trend of Disability Support Pension recipients on part rate is partially influenced by improved assessments and tightened eligibility for recipients, which better targets the payment to people who are unable to support themselves due to their disability.

There has been a slight reduction in the percentage of Carer Payment recipients receiving a part rate of pension due to the means test over the past three years, from 22.5 per cent in 2017–18 to 19.5 per cent in 2019–20.

This indicator captures recipients on a part rate due to the income test only for working age payments. This is because these payments are not payable at a part rate under the assets test. These payments are subject to personal and partner income tests, and for dependent Youth Allowance (other) recipients, a parental income test and where applicable, a maintenance income test where child support is being received in respect of the young person and that amount is above the maintenance income-free area. The proportion of working age payment recipients receiving a part rate has remained steady across most payment types. In line with the slight reduction in the proportion of recipients with earned income, the proportion of Newstart Allowance/JobSeeker Payment recipients on a part rate of payment also fell slightly. This can be attributed to the economic downturn that occurred from March 2020 as a result of the health response to the COVID-19 pandemic that reduced opportunities for people to participate in the labour market.

Table 2.1.9a: Percentage of recipients receiving a part rate of payment due to income or assets test — Family Tax Benefit

a Family Tax Benefit instalment population as at June each year.

b Family Tax Benefit recipients are not subject to an assets test.

c In this measure, a recipient may be captured in more than one category, that is, both income test and maintenance income test for Family Tax Benefit Part A. In Table 2.1.11a, recipients are captured in one category only.

d This measure captures any recipient whose entitlement is reduced by an income test.

e This measure captures any recipient whose entitlement is reduced by the maintenance income test.

Table 2.1.9b: Percentage of recipients who did not meet the Family Tax Benefit Maintenance Action Test

a The Family Tax Benefit Maintenance Action Test requires a child’s parent to seek financial support from the other parent when they separate. If the parent does not take action, they are limited to the base rate of Family Tax Benefit Part A for that child. In certain circumstances, parents may be exempt from the Maintenance Action Test.

b Denominator includes all Family Tax Benefit Part A children who are required to go through Maintenance Action Test.

c Denominator includes all Family Tax Benefit Part A families who are required to take reasonable action to obtain maintenance.

Table 2.1.9c: Percentage of recipients receiving part rate of payment due to income or assets test — welfare payments (excluding Family Tax Benefit)

a Recipients on a part rate due to the income test only. This is because Special Benefit is not payable at a part rate under the assets test.

b Wife (Age & DSP) Pension and Widow B Pension closed on 20 March 2020, these recipients were transferred to Carer Payment, Age Pension or JobSeeker Payment and the percentage receiving a part rate of payment is reflected in the payment to which these people transferred.

c Recipients on a part rate due to the income test only. This is because working age payments are not payable at a part rate under the assets test. Sickness Allowance closed to new recipients on 20 March 2020 and all but six existing recipients have mostly transitioned to JobSeeker Payment (JobSeeker Payment replaced Newstart Allowance on 20 March 2020). Partner Allowance and Widow Allowance will close in 2022; existing recipients will progressively transition to Age Pension.

d Excludes Australian apprentices.

e ABSTUDY Living Allowance only.

f This indicator takes into account higher education and vocational education and training students.

C1.3 Extent to which payments are made to, or with respect to, people unable to fully support themselves

This criterion shows the reach of the major components of the payments system, expressed as a proportion of a particular population that receives payment. Trends in each demonstrate the effectiveness of policy measures in increasing or restricting eligibility to payments, as well as changes in the characteristics of the populations of interest.

C1.3.1 Percentage of the targeted population who receive payment

These measures provide a comparison of the number of people receiving particular welfare payments with the estimated population relevant to the payment type. They provide useful information on the coverage of particular payments in the population, such as families with children, senior Australians and carers.

Family Tax Benefit has undergone successive policy changes, such as pausing indexation of income thresholds, which have tightened eligibility for payment. This has resulted in a downward trend in the number of Family Tax Benefit families receiving fortnightly payments since 2004–05.

Analysis

There is a long-term trend of a gradual reduction in the proportion of senior Australians receiving the Age Pension. This is because new retirees have more assets at retirement than previous cohorts due to the maturation of the superannuation system. It is also due to the increase in the number of senior Australians remaining in the workforce longer. There was a slight increase in 2019–20, most likely due to the economic conditions in the second half of 2019–20, along with a reduction in deeming rates.

There has been a slight decrease in the percentage of people with disability who receive Disability Support Pension payments, down from 17.64 per cent in 2017–18 to 17.3 per cent in 2019–20. Similarly, the ratio of Disability Support Pension recipients to the total Australian working age population has also fallen slightly from 4.2 per cent in 2017–18 to 3.9 per cent in 2019–20. The continued decrease in Disability Support Pension recipients can primarily be attributed to previous policy changes associated with improved assessments and tightened eligibility.

Table 2.1.10a: Percentage of the targeted population who receive payment — Family Tax Benefit

a Reconciliation data reported at June 2020 for 2017–18, June 2019 for 2016–17 and June 2018 for 2015–16. FTB reconciliation recipient information is reported after two years to capture future actions in respect of the financial year. The two-year period allows time for the data to capture many recipients lodging income tax returns and undertaking the reconciliation process or claiming a lump sum payment.

b Families are only able to receive Family Tax Benefit Part A for children aged 16 and over if they are in full time study towards Year 12 or equivalent. For this reason, comparison against the total population is limited to families with children under 16 years of age. The 2017–18 Australian Bureau of Statistics Survey of Income and Housing (SIH) data was used to estimate the number of families with a child aged under 16. For consistency, the 2016–17 and 2015–16 data have been revised using the same data. The estimates should be treated with caution as the 2017–18 SIH does not take into account families with shared care arrangements.

Table 2.1.10b: Percentage of the targeted population who receive payment — welfare payments (excluding Family Tax Benefit)

a These results are point-in-time counts of Age Pension recipients and the Australian Bureau of Statistics (cat. no. 3222.0 Population Projections, Australia, 2017 (base) to 2066) data on the seniors population aged 66 years and over.

b These results are derived from the 2018 Australian Bureau of Statistics Survey of Disability, Ageing and Carers (cat. no. 4430.0) and report the number of people with disability. Not all people with disability have a work limitation or rely on the Disability Support Pension.

c These results are point-in-time counts of Disability Support Pension recipients of working age and the Australian Bureau of Statistics (cat. no. 3222.0 Population Projections, Australia, 2017 (base) to 2066) data on the working age population aged 15–64 years.

d The result of this performance measure relies on the definition of primary carer used by the 2018 Australian Bureau of Statistics Survey of Disability, Ageing and Carers (cat. no. 4430.0) and is the number of people who provided the most informal help needed by a person with disability. Eligibility for Carer Payment and Carer Allowance is not determined by the Australian Bureau of Statistics definition of primary carer. This survey is run by the Australian Bureau of Statistics triennially.

e Excludes carers whose care receiver qualified for a Health Care Card only.

C1.3.2 Percentage of recipients aligned to specific policy objectives or payment conditions

This indicator explores a range of payment-specific policy requirements or parameters, such as immunisation and health checks. These provide insight into the characteristics of the payment populations and the effectiveness of policy conditions in influencing recipient behaviour.

Families who do not meet immunisation and health check requirements have a reduction applied to their FTB Part A child rate for each child who does not meet the requirements. To meet immunisation requirements children must be immunised according to the childhood vaccination schedule appropriate for the child’s age (or have an approved exemption). If a person received Family Tax Benefit and an Income Support Payment, and their child turned four during the entitlement year, their child also needs to undergo a health check in addition to immunisation requirements.

Analysis

In the 2017–18 entitlement year, the amount of child support received has reduced the amount of Family Tax Benefit Part A paid by $756 million, a small increase on the $750 million reduction in the 2016–17 entitlement year.

Table 2.1.11a: Percentage of recipients aligned to specific policy objectives or payment conditions — Family Tax Benefit by income test categories

a Instalment population as at June each year. Totals may not add to 100 per cent due to rounding.

Table 2.1.11b: Percentage of recipients aligned to specific policy objectives or payment conditions — Family Tax Benefit immunisation and maintenance income reduction

a Reconciliation data reported at June 2020 for 2017–18, June 2019 for 2016–17 and June 2018 for 2015–16. FTB reconciliation recipient information is reported after two years to capture future actions in respect of the financial year. The two-year period allows time for the data to capture many recipients lodging income tax returns and undertaking the reconciliation process or claiming a lump sum payment.

b The Child Support Scheme contributes to this indicator through assessment, collection and transfer of child support between separated parents.

Table 2.1.11c: Percentage of recipients aligned to specific policy objectives or payment conditions — Income Support for Seniors

a Total income only includes assessable income for social security purposes, such as employment income, foreign pensions, deemed income from financial investments and the assessable income received from income streams. It does not include the actual amounts earned on deemed financial investments, the actual income received from income streams, amounts received from reverse mortgages or lump sum amounts withdrawn from bank accounts or superannuation. It also does not account for the use of assets for self-support in retirement (e.g. selling property, selling shares), which is a key part of retirement income planning.

b Performance measure updated to reflect a percentage from 2018–19.

C1.3.3 Percentage of Commonwealth Rent Assistance income units in rental stress before and after receiving Commonwealth Rent Assistance

This indicator reports on the impact of Commonwealth Rent Assistance payments in helping social security payment or Family Tax Benefit recipients with the cost of private rental housing or community housing. It is a proxy measure of whether recipients can rent affordably in the private market. For the purposes of this indicator, Commonwealth Rent Assistance recipients are considered to be in rental stress if rent is more than 30 per cent of income.

The amount of Commonwealth Rent Assistance payable is based on the amount of rent paid and the person’s family situation (single, couple, number of children, if any, and for single people, whether they are sharing accommodation).

Analysis

As at the fortnight ending 26 June 2019, Commonwealth Rent Assistance reduced the proportion of income units^[1] paying more than 30 per cent of their income in rent from 55.4 per cent to 29.4 per cent.

Table 2.1.12: Percentage of Commonwealth Rent Assistance income units in rental stress before and after receiving Commonwealth Rent Assistance

a The decrease in rental stress for the fortnight ending 26 June 2020 was most likely due to factors, including Government support, relating to the COVID-19 pandemic.

b Refers to last fortnight during the reporting year.

C1.4 Extent to which delivery meets program objective

C1.4.2 Payment accuracy

The Random Sample Survey (RSS) provides assurance over the accuracy of sampled social security payments. Reviews are conducted by Services Australia using a random sample of the population for the major payment types provided by the department.

The survey provides a point-in-time assessment of recipient circumstances to establish the accurately paid value of total outlays and provides reasons for any debt, error, or change in payment rate. It provides benchmark data on the level of inaccurate payments.

Analysis

In 2019–20, 13,712 recipients were surveyed.

As a result of factors relating to the COVID-19 pandemic, Trimester 3 of the RSS did not proceed. Trimesters 1 and 2 fully met the completion and performance benchmarks and an assessment of existing payment controls supported reliance on two trimesters of RSS surveys to calculate payment accuracy for the full financial year.

The survey is one of the methods we use to measure social security service delivery performance. The target performance level is 95 per cent or greater accuracy across all payments, with individual targets set for each payment. In 2019–20, the overall accuracy result was 96.21 per cent (see Table 2.1.13).

Table 2.1.13: Payment accuracy

C1.4.3 Percentage of recipients with debts by type and status

This indicator monitors the number and types of debts to assess the efficiency and responsiveness of the social security payments system design. Services Australia manages debt identification and recovery on behalf of the department. These measures were affected by a national pause on debt raising and recovery announced by the Government in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The national debt pause commenced on 3 April 2020, reducing the number of new debts raised.

Table 2.1.14: Percentage of recipients with debts by type and status

a This table includes any recipient that has had a debt raised in relation to an entitlement year. FTB reconciliation recipient information is reported after two years to capture future actions in respect of the financial year. The two-year period allows time for the data to capture many recipients lodging income tax returns and undertaking the reconciliation process or claiming a lump sum payment.

b Reconciliation data reported at June 2020 for 2017–18, June 2019 for 2016–17 and June 2018 for 2015–16. From 2016–17, Table 2.1.14 reports Family Tax Benefit debts against the Family Tax Benefit population (1,757,503 in 2017–18, 1,823,249 in 2016–17 and 1,859,774 in 2015–16). This recognises that Family Tax Benefit debts raised for a recipient may result from their entitlement (or non-entitlement) to Family Tax Benefit Part A and/or Part B.

C1.5 Delivery measures

C1.5.1 Number of recipients

Table 2.1.15a: Number of recipients — Family Tax Benefit Part A and B

a Reconciliation data reported at June 2020 for 2017–18, June 2019 for 2016–17 and June 2018 for 2015–16. FTB reconciliation recipient information is reported after two years to capture future actions in respect of the financial year. The two-year period allows time for the data to capture many recipients lodging income tax returns and undertaking the reconciliation process or claiming a lump sum payment.

Table 2.1.15b: Number of recipients — welfare payments (excluding Family Tax Benefit Part A and B)

a Data for number of cases is point-in-time as at 30 June of the relevant financial year.

b The Single Income Family Supplement is closed to new entrants. Recipients eligible on 30 June 2017 may continue to receive the supplement if they remain continuously eligible.

c Family Tax Benefit recipients are automatically assessed for Single Income Family Supplement when their Family Tax Benefit entitlement is reconciled. Data for 2019–20 is not available as the reconciliation process for Family Tax Benefit is not yet finalised.

d Number has been revised due to the further reconciliation.

e The department’s 2017–18 Annual Report, Table 2.1.13b (page 41) stated that 886 people received the payment. The correct figure was 866.

f These figures are for the month of December each year due to the nature of the payment.

g This is the number of grants for each financial year. Bereavement Allowance closed to new recipients on 20 March 2020 and will cease when all current recipients completed their bereavement period.

h These figures are unique counts of recipients across the financial year.

i Wife (Age & DSP) Pension and Widow B Pension closed on 20 March 2020.

j Significant decrease is due to recipients transitioning to NDIS as it is rolled out. Mobility Allowance is not payable to those in receipt of an NDIS package.

k Excludes carers whose care receiver qualified for a Health Care Card only.

l Sickness Allowance closed to new recipients on 20 March 2020 and will cease by September 2020.

m These figures are monthly averages due to the seasonal nature of Student Payments.

n Includes Australian apprentices.

o These figures are unique counts of recipients across the calendar year due to the nature of the payment.

p Youth Allowance and Austudy recipients only.

C1.5.2 Number of children

Table 2.1.16a: Number of children — Family Tax Benefit

a Reconciliation data reported at June 2020 for 2017-18, June 2019 for 2016–17, and June 2018 for 2015–16. FTB reconciliation recipient information is reported after two years to capture future actions in respect of the financial year. The two-year period allows time for the data to capture many recipients lodging income tax returns and undertaking the reconciliation process or claiming a lump sum payment.

b Family Tax Benefit Part B is a per family payment.

Table 2.1.16b: Number of children — Child Payments

a Data as at 30 June 2020 for 2019–20, as at 30 June 2019 for 2018–19 and as at 30 June 2018 for 2017–18.

C1.5.3 Number of Commonwealth Rent Assistance income units

As at 30 June 2020, Commonwealth Rent Assistance had assisted 1,700,166 income units[2]. This was at a cost of $4.69 billion in 2019-20.

Table 2.1.17: Number of Commonwealth Rent Assistance income units

a The sharp increase in the number of Commonwealth Rent Assistance income units was mainly due to the increase in number of JobSeeker Payment recipients in the three months to June 2020.

b Refers to last Friday in June during the reporting year.

C1.5.4 Administered outlays

Table 2.1.18: Administered outlays

a JobSeeker Payment replaced Newstart Allowance as the main working age payment on 20 March 2020.

b Nil expenses for 2019-20 and 2018–19 due to the implementation of AASB9—Financial Instruments.

[1] An income unit comprises a single person (with or without dependent children) or a couple (with or without dependent children).

[2] An income unit comprises a single person (with or without dependent children) or a couple (with or without dependent children).