By Alesha Capone
Four suburbs in the west are among the top 10 areas of the state where residents remain on JobSeeker payments.
The federal government last year raised the rate of JobSeeker (formerly Newstart) payments for unemployed people to $560 per week from $250.20.
However, the payment is due to return to its pre-pandemic rate at the end of March.
Federal government data shows that more than 146,000 Victorians remain on JobSeeker.
Dandenong has the most residents in the state on JobSeeker, with 3101 residents on the Centrelink support payment, followed by Cranbourne East (2585 residents).
Truganina placed next, with 2404 residents on JobSeeker.
Melton South recorded 2398 residents on JobSeeker, while St Albans North has 2222 residents on the payment and 2122 Delahey residents are in receipt of the supplement.
The Australian Council of Social Services (ACOSS) last week warned that only two-thirds of full-time time jobs lost in the recession caused by the COVID-19 pandemic have been restored.
ACOSS acting chief executive Edwina MacDonald said that across the nation, 1.5 million people remain on unemployment benefits.
“We know that for every job vacancy, there are nine people looking for a job or more hours, and that this is even worse in many regional areas,” Ms MacDonald said.
“What’s more, we still have to generate enough jobs for people entering the labour market, including over 200,000 school leavers.
“To rebuild from this crisis, the government must focus on job creation and ensuring people without enough paid work can cover the basics, including a roof over head and food on the table.”
Ms MacDonald said ACOSS would like the federal government to keep JobSeeker rate at its post-pandemic levels.
“Instead of short term measures and cuts to income support, we need to finally see a permanent and adequate increase to the base rate of JobSeeker of at least $25 a day more than the old Newstart rate, so that people can cover the basics and rebuild their lives,” she said.
