A joint report by the University of New South Wales (UNSW) and the Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS) reveals that more than three million Australians lived below the poverty line in 2022–2023. The proportion of people in poverty has risen from one-eighth in 2020–2021 to one-seventh, indicating worsening socioeconomic conditions.
The report defines the “relative poverty line” as 50% of the median household after-tax income. Based on this measure, a single adult falls below the poverty line if earning less than AU$584 per week after rent, while the current JobSeeker allowance provides only AU$793.60 every two weeks—around AU$380 below the poverty threshold. For families with children, the weekly poverty line is AU$1,226, yet actual income remains about AU$464 lower.
ACOSS CEO Cassandra Goldie warned that an increasing number of Australians are forced to choose between “eating or paying rent,” describing the situation as “poverty rising in a wealthy nation.” She cited soaring housing costs and inadequate social support as key drivers. UNSW researcher Yuvisthi Naidoo added that the JobSeeker allowance is just 42% of the national minimum wage, noting, “Without a significant increase in support, the government cannot lift people out of poverty.”
The report also highlights that approximately 750,000 children nationwide are living in poverty, meaning one in six children falls below the poverty line. Goldie emphasized that poverty not only undermines parents’ financial stability but also creates long-term psychological stress and anxiety.