"We support the Raise the Rate campaign to increase Newstart and other allowances because an increase will strengthen our communities and help people get through tough times," said CWA of Australia president Tanya Cameron.

She's backing the Australian Council of Social Service's push to boost Newstart payments by a little more than $10 a day, which would take the minimum payment from $280 to $355/week.

"It is impossible to live on $40 a day in rural and regional Australia. You cannot run a car, pay the rent and buy groceries with such little money," Mrs Cameron said.

"People in rural and regional Australia often struggle to find adequate employment, especially single parents, people who have been made redundant or people who have been without paid work for a long period because they've been caring for a loved one."

Foodbank found in a 2018 report that increasing Newstart would inject $4 billion into the Australian economy, deliver 12,000 new jobs in the first year, and of the top 20 local government areas to benefit would be regional areas.

People in the bush are 33 per cent more likely than people in the city to have accessed food relief in the past 12 months, and 1.5 million people in regional Australia accessed food relief in 2018, Foodbank said.

ACOSS chief executive Dr Cassandra Goldie said Newstart had not been increased in real terms in 25 years, despite living costs increasing.

"Newstart has not been increased in real terms in 25 years, despite living costs for people on low incomes having gone through the roof," Dr Goldie said.

"We urge the next government to immediately increase Newstart and related allowances by a minimum of $75 per week to help people get through tough times and into suitable employment."