Govt targets dole bludgers using sickies

Jobless welfare recipients feigning illness to avoid working are on the federal government's hit list.

More than 70,000 people are using medical certificates from doctors claiming they are too sick to work because they have depression, anxiety, muscular-skeletal problems, drug addiction and alcohol dependence.

"We are investigating that further to see how we can crack down on that," Treasurer Scott Morrison told Sydney radio 2GB on Tuesday.

Mr Morrison said the number of those on the disability support pension has been reduced under the coalition.

"These payments are there for people who really need them, not for those who want a loan on the taxpayer."