Welfare system reboot

Key points

• The federal government has resumed some paused parts of its Targeted Compliance Framework, which tracks jobseekers' mutual obligations. The components were halted in July 2024 after the federal ombudsman found almost 1,000 payments had been unlawfully cancelled.
• A Senate estimates hearing later revealed the number affected was in the vicinity of 30,000. Employment secretary Simon Duggan said compensation for eligible people has begun.
• Remaining measures allowing payment reductions or cancellations are expected to resume in early 2027, once safeguards are in place.