Most Australians say income support payments are too low to live on, with new research revealing growing concerns about poverty and strong support to lift JobSeeker to cover the cost of essentials.
Concerns about poverty in Australia are rising as cost-of-living pressures hit hard, with most people agreeing income support payments are not enough to live on, says new research by the Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS) and UNSW Sydney-led Poverty and Inequality Partnership.
Most of the 2520 Australians surveyed support an increase to JobSeeker, with almost nine in ten (87%) people agreeing unemployment payments should cover people not having to skip meals.
“Our findings show that Australians have a lot of compassion for people doing it tough,” says UNSW’s Dr Theresa Caruana, lead author of the latest Poverty and Inequality Partnership report.
“We compared participant responses along 10 differing demographic categories, including age, housing status and voting behaviour – and we found consistently high levels of support,” Dr Caruana says.
“These findings really speak to how important an issue this is across the whole community.”
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The data
The views come after the federal government’s Economic Inclusion Advisory Committee announced its first recommendation is to increase working-age income support payments in the forthcoming federal budget.
The new research surveyed 2520 people and found:
- Three in four (74%) people reject the idea that people on JobSeeker deserve to live in poverty, up from 59% in 2023
- Three in four (74%) people agree that poverty is a big problem in Australia, up from 69% in 2023
- Less than a quarter (23%) said they could live on JobSeeker, currently $409 a week
- Three in five (60%) people agree that government policies have caused some people in Australia to experience poverty
- Almost nine in ten (87%) agree unemployment payments should be enough that people don’t have to skip meals
- Three-quarters (76%) of people agree the gap between the wealthy and people experiencing poverty is too great, and 68% agree incomes at the top are too high
- Across the political spectrum, an average of 77% of voters agreed that poverty can be solved with the right systems and policies
- Support for action crosses party lines, with 86% of Greens voters, and 68% of Labor and Liberal/National voters agreeing that people who receive unemployment payments do not deserve to live in poverty.
UNSW Vice-President, Societal Impact, Equity & Engagement, Professor Verity Firth AM, says there is a clear and growing understanding across the community that poverty is not inevitable.
“It reflects the policy choices we make as a society. This research shows that Australians care deeply about fairness and believe poverty can be addressed with the right systems in place,” Prof. Firth says.
“UNSW is proud to lead the Poverty and Inequality Partnership with ACOSS. Together, we are focused on contributing to solutions that make a real difference in people’s lives and help shape fair, effective policies that address the root causes of inequality.”
UNSW Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Attila Brungs, says: “This report reinforces something fundamental for many Australians – that we expect a society where no one is left behind. The strong public support for addressing poverty reflects a shared belief that progress must be inclusive.
“At UNSW, our commitment to progress for all means using research, education and partnerships to help inform the systems and policies that reduce inequality and improve outcomes for all communities. Universities have an important role to play in bringing evidence and insight to address these pressing challenges.”
Poverty is not a personal failing.
Close to home
Scientia Professor Carla Treloar AM at the UNSW Social Policy Research Centre says the findings represent a country that is paying attention – and is increasingly concerned about poverty and its causes.
“An overwhelming number of people are seeing poverty and inequality as serious and systemic problems and want an income support system that keeps people fed and housed,” Prof. Treloar says.
ACOSS CEO Dr Cassandra Goldie says more people than ever are acutely aware of the level of financial distress in the community.
“They are watching their neighbours, family members and friends being pushed to the brink by rising costs and support payments that are too low to live on,” Dr Goldie says.
“The social security system is failing people and needs to be fixed,” she says.
Addressing the root causes
Dr Goldie says Australians understand poverty has systemic causes and that they want a social security system that keeps people out of poverty.
“This report reflects where the country stands,” she says.
“The vast majority want unemployment payments to be enough so people don’t have to skip meals. This demonstrates strong public support for the recommendations made by the federal government’s own expert committee.”
Most people surveyed believe poverty is driven by policy, not individual choice. Three in five (60%) of people agreed government policies have caused people in Australia to experience poverty, while almost four in five (79%) agreed people experience poverty due to circumstances beyond their control.
“Poverty is not a personal failing,” Dr Goldie says.
“It is the direct result of setting income support payments far below what is needed to eat and keep a roof over their head.
“The evidence and basic decency all point to the same solution: lift the rate to a level that is enough to meet essential needs.”
