UNICEF wants major changes made to the Government's plans for welfare payments.

The United Nations' child welfare agency is having its say on plans to increase weekly beneficiary payments by $25 a week.

UNICEF spokesperson Deborah Morris-Travers reports it's their view that the $25 payment should be per child in a household, not per benefit.

"We know that in terms of the larger families where poverty is more prevalent that actually the $25 a week is wholly inadequate."

Ms Morris-Travers says increases in benefits should be treated similarly to superannuation payments and be indexed against the median wage, not annual inflation.

"There has been good growth in wages in the past couple of years but the beneficiaries have been left behind."

Catholic advocacy group Caritas is also voicing concerns over aspects of the Government's latest welfare reforms.

Commenting on proposals to increase work obligations on parents who receive beneficiary payments, Caritas spokesperson Cathy Bi reports there are circumstances where the changes will harm the well-being of children, particularly in circumstances where only casualised work, or work outside of standard hours is available.

"Pressure should not be placed on parents to take up employment outside the hours and circumstances in which formal, high quality, subsidised childcare is available."