Proposal

1 – Change Work Bonus Threshold from $300 per fortnight to $500 per fortnight

2 – Index Work Bonus threshold in line with Pension rates every March & September

3 – Establish if Centrelink treat earnings from working and Pension deductions as individual income or a couples income to rectify current inflated taxable income for the Earner

4 – Stop compulsory fortnightly reporting (apart from cash payment) as Centrelink are now receiving that information

Advantages

Improve workforce shortage
Potentially reduce Government expense
Provide opportunity to improve Pensioner living standard
Improve Pensioner mental health

Threats

Participation does not return to pre-covid levels
$500 per fornight work bonus threshold not enough to reactivate dormant Workforce

Assumptions

Pensioner numbers declaring earnings from employment return to pre-covid levels