I currently live in Australia where with a 2 year trade cert your minimum wage goes up from $16 to $28, and I receive a fortnightly payment from the government that has just gone up to $917 with rent assistance while I'm looking for work, my only obligations are regular meetings with an employment services provider and recorded proof that I'm applying for 20 appropriate jobs a month. For comparison a full time job here can be expected to pay a minimum of about 52k a year.

While unemployed I also receive concession on public health services, discounts for pharmaceuticals, and various other social services.

Once I start work I can continue claiming payments up to the value of $1000 to assist with transitional costs, as well as being provided a stipend for new uniforms or equipment costs.