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I recently released an independent report on the human cost of the partner income test (PIT). Based on a 2-week survey with almost 794 Australians impacted by partner income testing.

It does not claim to be representative of all Centrelink recipients, or that the PIT caused all harms. It does show that, among a large self-selected sample of people affected, reported harms were widespread, serious and consistent.

Findings show consistent pattern of harms: loss of financial independence, material hardship, relationship strain, fear of disclosure, safety barriers and loss of autonomy.

Among included respondents:

• 76.6% reported feeling like a “burden” or “dependent” rather than an equal partner.
• 58.8% reported being unable to pay bills such as rent or utilities.
• 55.9% reported delaying medical appointments or medication.
• 54.0% reported housing insecurity.
• 44.0% said the Partner Income Test had made them feel unsafe or prevented them from leaving a relationship.
• 38.4% said they had avoided disclosing a relationship to Centrelink because they could not afford the cut to their payment.

In response to 2025 E-petition EN7076 to end partner income testing on all affected Centrelink payments, Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek stated the income test is designed to encourage income loss with paid work if they are able and wish to do so. This is not possible for many receiving the Disability Support Pension, Age Pension and Carer Payment.

The primary recommendation is to abolish the Partner Income Test across affected Centrelink payments and assess adults as financially independent individuals, regardless of relationship status.

Download and read the report here: https://linktr.ee/sophiaredjeb

Please read, share, send to your MP, or pass on to anyone working in related fields.

A relationship should not cost you your income.

Thank you to everyone who took the time to share their experience.

I recently released an independent report on the human cost of the partner income test (PIT). Based on a 2-week survey with almost 794 Australians impacted by partner income testing.

It does not claim to be representative of all Centrelink recipients, or that the PIT caused all harms. It does show that, among a large self-selected sample of people affected, reported harms were widespread, serious and consistent.

Findings show consistent pattern of harms: loss of financial independence, material hardship, relationship strain, fear of disclosure, safety barriers and loss of autonomy.

Among included respondents:

• 76.6% reported feeling like a “burden” or “dependent” rather than an equal partner.
• 58.8% reported being unable to pay bills such as rent or utilities.
• 55.9% reported delaying medical appointments or medication.
• 54.0% reported housing insecurity.
• 44.0% said the Partner Income Test had made them feel unsafe or prevented them from leaving a relationship.
• 38.4% said they had avoided disclosing a relationship to Centrelink because they could not afford the cut to their payment.

The primary recommendation is to abolish the Partner Income Test across affected Centrelink payments and assess adults as financially independent individuals, regardless of relationship status.

Download and read the report here: https://linktr.ee/sophiaredjeb

Please read, share, send to your MP, or pass on to anyone working in related fields.

A relationship should not cost you your income.

Thank you to everyone who took the time to share their experience.

I recently released an independent report on the human cost of the partner income test (PIT). Based on a 2-week survey with almost 794 Australians impacted by partner income testing.

It does not claim to be representative of all Centrelink recipients, or that the PIT caused all harms. It does show that, among a large self-selected sample of people affected, reported harms were widespread, serious and consistent.

Findings show consistent pattern of harms: loss of financial independence, material hardship, relationship strain, fear of disclosure, safety barriers and loss of autonomy.

Among included respondents:

• 76.6% reported feeling like a “burden” or “dependent” rather than an equal partner.
• 58.8% reported being unable to pay bills such as rent or utilities.
• 55.9% reported delaying medical appointments or medication.
• 54.0% reported housing insecurity.
• 44.0% said the Partner Income Test had made them feel unsafe or prevented them from leaving a relationship.
• 38.4% said they had avoided disclosing a relationship to Centrelink because they could not afford the cut to their payment.

The primary recommendation is to abolish the Partner Income Test across affected Centrelink payments and assess adults as financially independent individuals, regardless of relationship status.

Download and read the report here: https://linktr.ee/sophiaredjeb

Please read, share, send to your MP, or pass on to anyone working in related fields.

A relationship should not cost you your income.

Thank you to everyone who took the time to share their experience.

I recently released an independent report on the human cost of the partner income test (PIT). Based on a 2-week survey with almost 794 Australians impacted by partner income testing.

It does not claim to be representative of all Centrelink recipients, or that the PIT caused all harms. It does show that, among a large self-selected sample of people affected, reported harms were widespread, serious and consistent.

Findings show consistent pattern of harms: loss of financial independence, material hardship, relationship strain, fear of disclosure, safety barriers and loss of autonomy.

Among included respondents:

• 76.6% reported feeling like a “burden” or “dependent” rather than an equal partner.
• 58.8% reported being unable to pay bills such as rent or utilities.
• 55.9% reported delaying medical appointments or medication.
• 54.0% reported housing insecurity.
• 44.0% said the Partner Income Test had made them feel unsafe or prevented them from leaving a relationship.
• 38.4% said they had avoided disclosing a relationship to Centrelink because they could not afford the cut to their payment.

The primary recommendation is to abolish the Partner Income Test across affected Centrelink payments and assess adults as financially independent individuals, regardless of relationship status.

Download and read the report here: https://linktr.ee/sophiaredjeb

Please read, share, send to your MP, or pass on to anyone working in related fields.

A relationship should not cost you your income.

Thank you to everyone who took the time to share their experience.

I recently released an independent report on the human cost of the partner income test (PIT). Based on a 2-week survey with almost 794 Australians impacted by partner income testing.

It does not claim to be representative of all Centrelink recipients, or that the PIT caused all harms. It does show that, among a large self-selected sample of people affected, reported harms were widespread, serious and consistent.

Findings show consistent pattern of harms: loss of financial independence, material hardship, relationship strain, fear of disclosure, safety barriers and loss of autonomy.

Among included respondents:

• 76.6% reported feeling like a “burden” or “dependent” rather than an equal partner.
• 58.8% reported being unable to pay bills such as rent or utilities.
• 55.9% reported delaying medical appointments or medication.
• 54.0% reported housing insecurity.
• 44.0% said the Partner Income Test had made them feel unsafe or prevented them from leaving a relationship.
• 38.4% said they had avoided disclosing a relationship to Centrelink because they could not afford the cut to their payment.

The primary recommendation is to abolish the Partner Income Test across affected Centrelink payments and assess adults as financially independent individuals, regardless of relationship status.

Download and read the report here: https://linktr.ee/sophiaredjeb

Please read, share, send to your MP, or pass on to anyone working in related fields.

A relationship should not cost you your income.

Thank you to everyone who took the time to share their experience.

Last Friday, I released my independent report: The Human Cost of the Partner Income Test.

This report is based on a survey I ran with Australians impacted by partner income testing. Over two weeks, the survey received 798 responses. After data review, 794 responses were included in the main quantitative analysis.

The findings show that partner income testing is not just an administrative Centrelink rule. Respondents described financial dependency, hardship, fear of disclosure, relationship strain and safety risks.

Among included respondents:

• 76.6% reported feeling like a “burden” or “dependent” rather than an equal partner.
• 58.8% reported being unable to pay bills such as rent or utilities.
• 55.9% reported delaying medical appointments or medication.
• 54.0% reported housing insecurity.
• 44.0% said the Partner Income Test had made them feel unsafe or prevented them from leaving a relationship.
• 38.4% said they had avoided disclosing a relationship to Centrelink because they could not afford the cut to their payment.

The report’s primary recommendation is to abolish the Partner Income Test across affected Centrelink payments and assess adults as financially independent individuals, regardless of relationship status.

I have shared the report with politicians, journalists, advocacy organisations and the public.

Please read the report, share it, send it to your MP, or pass it on to anyone working in social security, disability, poverty, family violence, housing, gender equality or economic justice.

A relationship should not mean losing financial independence.

Download and read the report here: https://linktr.ee/sophiaredjeb

Thank you to everyone who took the time to share their experience. This wouldn't have been possible without you.

(Please let me know if this goes against any rules and I will fix!)

I’ve released an independent report: The Human Cost of the Partner Income Test.

This report is based on a survey I ran with Australians impacted by partner income testing. Over two weeks, the survey received 798 responses. After data review, 794 responses were included in the main quantitative analysis.

The findings show that partner income testing is not just an administrative Centrelink rule. Respondents described financial dependency, hardship, fear of disclosure, relationship strain and safety risks.

Among included respondents:

• 76.6% reported feeling like a “burden” or “dependent” rather than an equal partner.
• 58.8% reported being unable to pay bills such as rent or utilities.
• 55.9% reported delaying medical appointments or medication.
• 54.0% reported housing insecurity.
• 44.0% said the Partner Income Test had made them feel unsafe or prevented them from leaving a relationship.
• 38.4% said they had avoided disclosing a relationship to Centrelink because they could not afford the cut to their payment.

The report’s primary recommendation is to abolish the Partner Income Test across affected Centrelink payments and assess adults as financially independent individuals, regardless of relationship status.

This morning, I sent the report to politicians, journalists and advocacy organisations. I’m now sharing publicly.

Please read the report, share it, send it to your MP, or pass it on to anyone working in social security, disability, poverty, family violence, housing, gender equality or economic justice.

A relationship should not mean losing financial independence.

Download and read the report here: https://tr.ee/sCjrwigD79

Thank you to everyone who took the time to share their experience. This wouldn't have been possible without you.

I’ve released an independent report: The Human Cost of the Partner Income Test.

This report is based on a survey I ran with Australians impacted by partner income testing. Over two weeks, the survey received 798 responses. After data review, 794 responses were included in the main quantitative analysis.

The findings show that partner income testing is not just an administrative Centrelink rule. Respondents described financial dependency, hardship, fear of disclosure, relationship strain and safety risks.

Among included respondents:

• 76.6% reported feeling like a “burden” or “dependent” rather than an equal partner.
• 58.8% reported being unable to pay bills such as rent or utilities.
• 55.9% reported delaying medical appointments or medication.
• 54.0% reported housing insecurity.
• 44.0% said the Partner Income Test had made them feel unsafe or prevented them from leaving a relationship.
• 38.4% said they had avoided disclosing a relationship to Centrelink because they could not afford the cut to their payment.

The report’s primary recommendation is to abolish the Partner Income Test across affected Centrelink payments and assess adults as financially independent individuals, regardless of relationship status.

This morning, I sent the report to politicians, journalists and advocacy organisations. I’m now sharing publicly.

Please read the report, share it, send it to your MP, or pass it on to anyone working in social security, disability, poverty, family violence, housing, gender equality or economic justice.

A relationship should not mean losing financial independence.

Download and read the report here: https://tr.ee/sCjrwigD79

Thank you to everyone who took the time to share their experience. This wouldn't have been possible without you.

How does the Partner Income Test impact you? Take a 10 – 15 minute anonymous survey to help document the human cost of this rule.

My name is Sophia, a 21 year old advocate. I led the 2025 national petitions to End the Partner Income Test on Centrelink, with the support of over 25,000 Australians. Results will be turned into a report and shared with the public, media, and government.

Almost 700 people have already responded; the survey closes tomorrow (Friday 1 May) at midnight. Find the link here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScjxWRvcKN2RSChd1y9r0\_N\_fUT3mHT2HFTIIVaJvospwbQ3w/viewform?usp=header

Please share with your networks for the final push!

Don’t hesitate to reach out with any ideas/questions/concerns.

If you’d like to submit the survey another way or share more information, please email: endthePIT@proton.me

How does the Partner Income Test impact you? Take a 10 – 15 minute anonymous survey to help document the human cost of this rule.

My name is Sophia, a 21 year old advocate, I led the 2025 national petitions to End the Partner Income Test on Centrelink, with the support of over 25,000 Australians. Results will be turned into a report and shared with the public, media, and government.

Almost 700 people have already responded; the survey closes tomorrow (Friday 1 May) at midnight. Find the link here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScjxWRvcKN2RSChd1y9r0\_N\_fUT3mHT2HFTIIVaJvospwbQ3w/viewform?usp=header

Please share with your networks for the final push!

Don’t hesitate to reach out with any ideas/questions/concerns.

If you’d like to submit the survey another way or share more information, please email: endthePIT@proton.me