DSS introduces Newstart Allowance

In 1991, the Department of Social Security (DSS) introduced Newstart Allowance to replace Unemployment Benefit. The government brought in Newstart Allowance soon after updating the Social Security Act.  

DSS used this poster Important news!! to inform Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people about the change.  

Characters on the poster explained that information about the change from Unemployment Benefit to Newstart was ‘not just news for men, it’s for women too’. This reflected broader changes around which people were applying for and getting this payment.  

The poster also reflects the government’s focus on training and employment programs that were part of Newstart Allowance. 

DSS worked with Chris Kelly from Green Ant Research Arts and Publishing in Darwin to create the poster. They had worked with Green Ant on the ‘Right story, right money’ campaign designs the previous year. 

Lots of the materials Green Ant produced were political, so it’s unusual that DSS chose them to create this poster.

DSS had begun using bold graphic styles to communicate to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people more often. Later research confirmed that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander customers often preferred these types of designs.