Anne Ruston (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Families and Social Services) Share this | Hansard source

People who currently receive payments such as Newstart, youth allowance and other social security payments need to report any income that they have earned over a fortnight. They can do it online, on a mobile app, over the phone, or by visiting a Centrelink centre. But the way they report their income, as it is paid, as opposed to as it is earned, will be simpler and easier. In any given fortnight 550,000 Australians will report that they have some form of income. By simplifying the system, it will make a huge difference to these hundreds of thousands of people. It means that payment recipients also have greater certainty about what they are going to get each and every fortnight. If we can help people to ensure that they get paid the correct amount each fortnight, we reduce the likelihood of their receiving an overpayment. This is particularly important for ensuring the sustainability of our welfare system into the future and for giving confidence to the recipients.