17/11/2025
The old labels of “deserving” and “undeserving” poor linger in the way Australia talks about people doing it tough. They suggest that only deserving few are worthy of support, while others are written off as “bludgers”, but the statistics do not back up those judgements.
In reality, less than 3% of people on payments like JobSeeker could even remotely fit that outdated stereotype; the overwhelming majority are striving to overcome barriers like illness, care responsibilities, or sheer bad luck in the job market.
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Stigma hurts every person who gets painted with the “undeserving” brush. It makes asking for help feel shameful, adds to stress, and lets genuine hardship go unseen. No parent should have to worry their child will be held back because of false myths, and no one’s worth should be measured by a label. Everyone deserves dignified support and a fair chance to rebuild, no matter their situation.
