The number of Australians receiving unemployment benefits has decreased by more than 42,000, or five per cent, in the past year.
Within that figure are more than 8000 young people who have moved into full-time work or study after receiving Youth Allowance payments, new figures show.
Social Services Minister Anne Ruston told reporters in Adelaide on Sunday the creation of jobs and new employment pathways had resulted in the reduction of Newstart recipients.
"If you are unemployed and you're on Newstart, we will do everything that we possibly can to get you off Newstart and into a job," Senator Ruston said.
Social Services Minister Anne Ruston says the creation of new jobs and new employment pathways has led to the drop in Newstart recipients. Source: Twitter @Anne_Ruston
She said there was no indication those who no longer relied on Newstart were moving to other forms of welfare payments.
In South Australia, more than 4000 fewer jobseekers relied on benefits in 2018-19 - a 5.5 per cent decrease compared with the national average of five per cent.
Senator Ruston also spruiked the number of young people in Bundaberg and Hervey Bay in Queensland who have found work.
"With the introduction of the cashless debit card for young people who are on welfare, we have seen a 10 per cent decrease in unemployment of youth up there," she said.
For older Australians, Senator Ruston admitted a "particular set of assistance" was needed.
"That's why we're not just saying a one size fits all model here, we need initiatives that are targeting each and every cohort that currently find themselves without a job."
The Morrison government has so far resisted mounting calls to increase the Newstart rate. Source: Supplied
Reserve Bank governor Philip Lowe said on Friday that raising it would be more effective to stimulate the economy in the short term than cutting taxes for high-income earners.
"There are a myriad of different fiscal policies that can stimulate the economy," Senator Ruston said.
She said tax changes and government spending, including $100 billion on infrastructure, were two examples of how the government was tackling the economy's sluggish growth.
