He bills the public up to $435 a day in "travelling allowance" while away from home on official business. But could the minister responsible for the dole, Christian Porter, make just over half that amount stretch across an entire week?

Senior figures in the charity sector are calling on Mr Porter, the Social Services Minister, to experience what it's like to exist on $38 a day, the base level of the Newstart Allowance.

Tim Costello, chair of the Community Council of Australia, said Mr Porter should take the "Newstart challenge" of paying all his meals, travel costs and rent or housing-related costs on $260 a week.

Mr Costello, who used to oversee the 40-hour Famine challenge in his role as boss of World Vision, said it's only when something is experienced physically that real understanding occurs.