Sydney Suburb Has The Biggest Spike In Dole Payments In NSW

It has been reported that the suburb of Fairfield has had more residents go on the dole than any other place in NSW in the last five years.

According to the dailytelegraph.com.au, 1381 people went on the dole in Fairfield, with surrounding areas of Liverpool, Mount Pritchard, Warwick Farm and Prestons also seeing an increase in jobseeker payments.

Fairfield Mayor Frank Carbone told Triple M that this increase largely stems from the intake of refugees into the area and the strain on jobs the increase has caused.

"The jump in welfare payment recipients in Fairfield follows a significant increase in refugee numbers under the Federal Government's Humanitarian Program since 1 January 2016," Mr Carbone said.

"Almost 7,000 refugees have settled in the Fairfield LGA in that time, compared to an average of 1,000 in other years.

"The increase in welfare payment recipients illustrates that the Federal Government has failed to provide adequate assistance for job creation projects or other opportunities, something which it identifies as an important component of the Humanitarian Program.

"Council has strongly advocated that the Federal and State Governments are responsible for the resettlement of refugees and need to also ensure there is no impact on existing residents.

"The Federal and State Governments need to provide more funding locally for better coordination of services and to ensure job creation, housing, health, youth and community services as well as adequate public facilities such as libraries and open space areas."

Meanwhile, Auburn has seen the biggest decrease in the number of people receiving welfare payments in the same time period.