In the age of “conditional welfare” we are asked to attend fortnightly compliance appointments with publicly funded, privately owned job agencies, maintain an internet and phone connection to upload proof of compliance with their “approved activities” and get frequent texts about the consequences of not meeting their monthly “points target”.

With my $46 a week, I prioritised internet ($17.50), mobile phone ($5) and paying my electricity in advance ($24).

While grateful to live in a country with a “safety net”, it only covered these four expenses.