Client Stories & Testimonials

BRQ Client Stories

Nadia – Debt repayments decreased

Nadia – Debt repayments decreased

Nadia came to BRQ with a large debt related to her overseas age pension. While we were unable to assist her with the reduction of the debt, our social worker became involved as Nadia was under intense emotional and housing stress. We were able to negotiate smaller debt withholdings from her pension in an effort … Read More

James – Preclusion Period waived, Disability Support Pension granted

James – Preclusion Period waived, Disability Support Pension granted

James became a quadriplegic in a car accident in 1997 and received $5.8 million in compensation in 2001. He was then told he would be precluded from receiving any Centrelink payment until 2096 (when he’d be 133 years old). James requires around the clock care and in the following 10 years he spent $2.1 million … Read More

Reza – Newstart Special Discretion granted for Permanent Resident

Reza – Newstart Special Discretion granted for Permanent Resident

Reza, a full time student, was referred to BRQ by a homelessness intervention service. While Reza, originally from Bangladesh, had been a permanent resident since 2005, her husband, Rasel, was not and was currently on a bridging visa. As a consequence Rasel had no entitlement to a Centrelink payment (not having the specific type of … Read More

Rachel – Family Tax Benefit Debt waived

Rachel – Family Tax Benefit Debt waived

Rachel came to BRQ with a $6,000 Family Tax Benefit (FTB) debt which was raised after a period when she was twice involuntarily admitted into a mental health ward and in between was given part-time care of her daughter. Because the Department of Child Safety had obtained Interim Accommodation Orders for her child to be … Read More

Maria – Disability Discrimination

Maria – Disability Discrimination

As a consequence of being beaten mercilessly as a child by both her parents, Maria lost 80% of her eyesight. Maria also missed a lot of school in order to hide the bruises, so she could barely read or write. Never-the-less she triumphed over adversity and got her dream job, working as a kitchen hand … Read More

Catherine – Disability Support Pension granted

Catherine – Disability Support Pension granted

Catherine was referred to our social work service due to her high levels of emotional distress and suicidal ideation. Catherine owed $1,000 rent and it was evident that she was in poor mental and physical health. She had been in a contact two months earlier but had not responded to follow up calls or a … Read More

Jack – Special Benefit granted

Jack – Special Benefit granted

Jack came to BRQ as he was subject to an income maintenance period after being made redundant from his job. He had been told by his Union that he needed to make his redundancy payout last three months, but when he came to apply for Newstart Allowance, Centrelink informed him he had an income maintenance … Read More

Jane – Compensation Preclusion Period waived

Jane – Compensation Preclusion Period waived

Jane sustained a work injury resulting in severe, chronic pain, which still had not resolved five years later. The pain exacerbated her depression, a condition she suffered from due to previous trauma. Jane received a compensation payout but the funds were quickly used up in legal fees and in the costs associated with supporting family … Read More

Gracie – Payment Exclusion Period waived

Gracie – Payment Exclusion Period waived

Gracie had been on Youth Allowance (Jobseeker) for a while when she was accepted into a university course interstate. Not having a job in her hometown, Gracie decided to move to Queensland before starting her course to settle in and find work. Unfortunately the area Gracie had moved to for university had a higher rate … Read More

Paul – Disability Support Pension backpay

Paul – Disability Support Pension backpay

Paul suffered a brain injury in an accident and, as is quite common with brain injuries, he lacked insight into the effect his injury had on his brain function. For several years he attempted jobs but never lasted more than a month or two in any one position. He then spent all of his savings … Read More

Michael – Debt waived

Michael – Debt waived

In defiance of serious congenital disabilities, Michael worked as a taxi driver. Michael was born with legs ending just below the knees, one arm ending just below his elbow, the other ending in one finger and one pincer-like thumb. After thirty years’ work, Michael’s arthritis became too painful to continue; he was granted Disability Support … Read More

Ivan – Newly Arrived Resident Waiting Period overturned and Special Benefit granted

Ivan – Newly Arrived Resident Waiting Period overturned and Special Benefit granted

Ivan was referred from a homeless service which could not assist Ivan and his family to secure accommodation as, at their extremely low level of income, rent was not sustainable. Ivan needed income support to supplement what he was able to earn through paid work. Ivan’s wife and seriously ill baby were both in hospital, … Read More

Bill – Disability Support Pension granted

Bill – Disability Support Pension granted

Bill is a farmer who suffers from several physical impairments and chronic pain. His medical conditions were getting worse, aggravated by the farm work. Bill had kept working long after his doctor told him he had to stop. Bill managed by taking high doses of pain killers and doing small amounts of work, interspersed with … Read More

Sam – Debt waived

Sam – Debt waived

“Sam’s” payment had been reduced to just $200/fortnight because he had to repay a Centrelink debt of $50,000. The debt was raised due to numerous unexplained deposits in Sam’s credit card account; deposits which Centrelink considered to be income. Sam had memory and cognitive problems due to a brain tumour, he could not explain what … Read More

Mandy – Compensation Preclusion Period waived

Mandy – Compensation Preclusion Period waived

“Mandy”, who has an acquired brain injury from a car accident, had been manipulated into spending over $500,000 of her accident compensation payment in one year. With no money left, unable to work, and facing a ‘compensation preclusion period’ which means she would not receive any welfare payment before 2019, Mandy and her children were … Read More

Sue – Debt reduced

Sue – Debt reduced

Many years ago, our elderly client, ‘Sue’, took a severely disabled child into her home and then continued to care for her for decades. Sue received some financial support from a state government-funded agency to cover the child’s care needs. Having not questioned the amount she was given, Sue was pleased to receive a payment … Read More

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Testimonials

I feel fortunate to have been able to spend time at BRQ.
Red Hill

Thank you for giving me such an unique opportunity to see law from a new perspective.
Brisbane

The information delivered at the community level from Basic Rights QLD around Centrelink would contribute to women’s (and everyone’s) financial empowerment.
West End

Testimonials - WWQ

Thanks so much for your help and also fighting the good fight. Women are so economically vulnerable during childbearing years and just do not have the time, resources or energy to stand up for themselves without services like QWW.
Manly West

QWWS has been very helpful. Thank you for the realistic truths as to what I was expected to be achieved. Thanks to all of you ladies.
Waterford

I would like to thank you for the time and effort you have put into my claim. You have been very helpful and I would not have concluded an agreement without your hard work. We have settled an agreement, not entirely what I wanted, but I am really happy about it and I can now close this matter and focus on my next step and future! Thank you again, for listening, and having so much attention on my needs. You have been the best!
Fortitude Valley

I don’t think I could have gone ahead with my complaint at ADCQ if I did not have the assistance of QWWS. The outcome was in my favour so I’m very thankful to QWWS for their assistance.
Bracken Ridge

The Industrial Officer I got was quite simply amazing. Right from the very first conversation she calmed me, she helped me, and she gave me my confidence back. I recently had my conciliation hearing with FWC, and my case was settled out of court which was a big relief to me as I didn’t want this dragging on for months. I went into my conference knowing my rights, knowing the legislation, and knowing that I was right, and therefore determined to get an outcome I deserved. I am very happy to say that I got the outcome I wanted, and deserved, but I could not have done it without WWQ supporting me. I am so incredibly grateful to the the Industrial Officer, and always will be. She is my hero. I really hope I never have to use WWQ Services again, but to know that this service is available gives me peace of mind.
Rockhampton

We are grateful to you and WWQ and we will recommend your services to family and friends.
Plainland

Thank you all so much from the bottom of my heart, knowing you all definitely is one the best thing of my life during my stay in Australia and I am glad I am finally able to put the whole thing behind, without your help I can not kept fighting and made it to the end, thank you for stick up with my case  I would be forever grateful and continue to do what is right.
Brisbane

My rep was confident, experienced, kind and very patient with me.
Cairns

The Industrial Officer was supportive, kind and went out of her way to communicate what was needed to outsource information to support my case. The IO had a clear understanding of the facts and didn’t give up and was professional at all times.
Brisbane

I could not have afforded legal advice; WWQ was a blessing and greatly contributed to a successful outcome with my return to work… I could not have asked more from the Industrial Officers, for their time, efforts and professionalism. The Industrial Officer was so patient with me when considering options, explaining legal terms and benefits to me. Excellent service.
Griffin

I appreciated your support and assistance along the way. There is no way I would have had the confidence to stand my ground and end up with the settlement that I did without WWQ’s guidance. I found it an excellent service and thank you again.
Paddington

WWQ were really understanding, and professional in the way they helped me.
Cairns

There are so many women out there that need WWQ.
Helensvale

The women who work at WWQ are amazing, being able to talk about these issues with insightful women has made the difference to me.
Seventeen Mile Rocks

I had a really positive experience, the staff are excellent.
Brighton

The lady I had was full of knowledge, I was pleasantly surprised that WWQ did exist. Hadn’t heard of WWQ before, the lady made alot of sense, and gave very practical advice.
Buderim

I would like to take this opportunity and say many many thanks to you and your organisation for the help, support, advice and assistance you have provided me over the last 3 months since I contacted you. I would not have had the strength and the knowledge and confidence i have had today and will have in the near and distance future if it was not for the knowledge and research i have had to follow through following your advice. I thank you and may you continue helping people like me who needed help and could not scream from the roof top but have someone willing to offer advice just a phone call away.
QLD