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Australians can expect a broader cost-of-living package than has been speculated in the lead-up to the federal budget.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers has declined to confirm the latest talk that welfare recipients aged 55 and older will receive a boost to JobSeeker payments.

The widely reported top-up would flow through to about 227,000 people and complement other changes to Centrelink.

However a week out from delivering his second budget, the treasurer told reporters he was concerned for those struggling without a job and a "substantial" package was planned.

"Will there be cost-of-living relief which is broader than that that's been speculated on? The answer to that is yes," Dr Chalmers said on Tuesday.

Welfare advocates remain concerned the extra money will fall short of the $100 a week they were seeking and exclude more than 680,000 younger people on JobSeeker and Youth Allowance.

Dr Chalmers said the JobSeeker payment already paid a different rate for people over 60 in recognition that it is harder to find a new job towards the end of a person's working life.

Women over 55 were the most vulnerable group among unemployed Australians and warranted particular support, he said.

Greens social services spokesperson Janet Rice said there was enough money in the budget for a generous JobSeeker rise.

"Poverty is a political choice and the Labor government is spending $368 billion on nuclear submarines and $254 billion on tax cuts for the rich, instead of doing the bare minimum for people in a cost-of-living crisis."

Tomorrow Movement's Jas Walker said many young people were struggling to pay rent and bills as well as for food and health care.

The youth advocacy group has recorded stories of students dropping out of courses because they can't afford essentials and many have been permanently couch-surfing or sleeping in cars.

"If the government doesn't raise income support for all, including Youth Allowance, rent assistance and disability support payments, this budget will keep thousands of Australians in poverty," Ms Walker said.

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton said the government needed to get the balance right and encourage people to work.

But he said small businesses were struggling to fill worker shortages.

"It's frustrating if you've got Australians who have an ability to work who are refusing to work," Mr Dutton told 2GB Sydney.

"There is a great argument for bringing back 'work for the dole'. It provides an incentive to move off the dole into work, which is a better life for them."

Dr Chalmers pointed out work for the dole had not been abolished under Labor.

New analysis also suggested the budget is in much better shape than expected, thanks to stubbornly high commodity prices, strong population growth and the rock-solid jobs market.

Independent economist and budget expert Chris Richardson says the federal government is likely to record a $7.5 billion deficit in this financial year - a $29.2 billion improvement on the October budget forecasts.

The strong upgrade to revenues from commodities has put the government in striking distance of a surplus but Dr Chalmers said such a suggestion was premature.

"The numbers are still bouncing around a bit," he said.

© AAP 2023

Alan Joyce will retire as head of Qantas after 15 years at the helm to be replaced by the national carrier's financial chief.

The airline announced on Tuesday that the role of chief executive and managing director would go to chief financial officer Vanessa Hudson once Mr Joyce retires in November.

Qantas chairman Richard Goyder said the appointment came after a rigorous selection process and allowed for a smooth transition following Mr Joyce's long tenure.

"Vanessa has a deep understanding of this business after almost three decades in a range of roles both onshore and offshore, across commercial, customer and finance," he said.

"She has a huge amount of airline experience and she's an outstanding leader."

Mr Goyder also paid tribute to the outgoing chief executive's leadership, saying he had left the airline well-positioned and in a strong financial position.

"Much of the credit for the bright future in front of Qantas goes to Alan," Mr Goyder said.

Mr Joyce said he had extended his time as Qantas chief executive at the board's request to see through the airline's COVID-19 recovery plan.

"Now that we're on the other side of that crisis it's a logical time for me to step down," he said.

Ms Hudson has served as the airline's chief financial officer since 2019 and has filled a series of Qantas executive roles during her almost-30-year career at the carrier.

She said it was an honour to be asked to lead the airline and was focused on delivering for customers, employees and shareholders.

RBC Capital Markets analyst Owen Birrell said Ms Hudson was the logical choice as the most suitable and appropriate candidate.

"She has been involved in developing group strategy for the last five years and also led the fleet selection process in 2022 for the renewal of the domestic jet aircraft fleet," Mr Birrell said.

Her market-facing job as the airline's chief financial officer since October 2019 will have prepared her well for the "very public" role as Qantas CEO, he added.

Mr Joyce, who was born in Ireland, took the helm at Qantas in November 2008 after previously heading its budget subsidiary, Jetstar.

He has been credited with helping to turn around the airline's fortunes, including the delivery of soaring profits after it emerged from the aviation doldrums of the COVID pandemic.

But his tenure attracted controversy for his battles with unions, including over the 2020 decision to outsource the jobs of about 1600 ground crew.

The Federal Court found the pandemic-era move was illegal, a decision the airline has appealed to the High Court.

© AAP 2023

Alan Joyce is retiring as the head of Qantas after 15 years at the helm and will be replaced by the first female chief in the flag carrier's century-long history.

Qantas chief financial officer Vanessa Hudson, who has had spent nearly three decades with the airline, will take over from Mr Joyce in November.

Airline chairman Richard Goyder said Mr Joyce had wanted to retire earlier but stayed in 2020 at the board's quest to lead the airline through the COVID-19 pandemic, the most difficult period in Qantas' history.

He said Ms Hudson, the airline's chief financial officer, knew the business incredibly well and had shown the skills needed to take on the "uniquely challenging role".

With travel resumed, Qantas has reduced its debt from a peak of $5.8 billion to $2.4 billion and began a $500 million share buyback in February.

"It's a pretty amazing turnaround that Alan has led us through and we feel very confident about where the airline is placed at the moment," Mr Goyder said.

Ms Hudson said she would be focused on delivering for Qantas' customers, employees and shareholders when she assumed the top job at the airline.

"I am so passionate about Qantas. I've worked for Qantas for 28 years. And that excitement of the first day that I felt working into Qantas, I still feel today," she said.

She was selected from a field of close to 40 external candidates, but ultimately the board's decision came down to a choice between her and another internal candidate, Qantas Loyalty head Olivia Wirth.

Ms Hudson said she was very proud of being the airline's first female chief and it had been incredibly meaningful to her listening to the reflections of her 21- and 18-year-old daughters ahead of Tuesday's announcement.

Mr Joyce said there were few female chief executives in the worldwide aviation industry and her choice was a credit to the business.

"It's a credit to the country that a gay Irishman was appointed 15 years ago to be CEO of the company and now we have the first female," Mr Joyce said.

RBC Capital Markets analyst Owen Birrell said Ms Hudson was the logical choice as the most suitable candidate.

"She has been involved in developing group strategy for the last five years and also led the fleet selection process in 2022 for the renewal of the domestic jet aircraft fleet," he said.

Her job as the airline's chief financial officer since October 2019 will have prepared her well for the "very public" role as Qantas CEO, he added.

Mr Joyce took the helm at Qantas in November 2008 after previously heading its budget subsidiary, Jetstar.

His tenure attracted controversy for his battles with unions, including over the 2020 decision to outsource the jobs of about 1600 ground crew.

The Federal Court found the pandemic-era move was illegal, a decision the airline has appealed to the High Court.

Union leaders were cautiously optimistic Ms Hudson would live up to her words on Tuesday about a desire to develop a constructive relationship on the industrial relations front.

More recently, Mr Joyce and Qantas have been criticised for lost baggage and widespread flight disruptions, problems blamed on the airline's job cuts - although the carrier says the issues are industry-wide.

Qantas shares closed down 3.0 per cent to $6.54.

© AAP 2023