Poverty in Australia 2018 Report
Income and wealth inequality remain entrenched in Australia. There is a stark gap between the highest and lowest income earners with women experiencing disadvantage across all stages of their life.
The Poverty in Australia 2018 report finds there are just over 3 million people living below the relative poverty line (13.2%), including 739,000 children (17.3%). In Australia, the poverty line is defined as a single adult living on less than $433 a week or $909 for a couple with two children.
The report finds:
- 1 in 8 adults and more than 1 in 6 children are living in poverty
- Many of those affected are living in deep poverty, on average, a staggering $135 per week below the poverty line
- Unsurprisingly, those experiencing poverty at the highest rates are those unable to get paid work, relying on Government allowances – Youth Allowance and Newstart
Impacts on women
We published the How does poverty impact women in Australia? fact sheet to explore the data from a gender perspective. It outlines how lower incomes and employment levels have affected women and their children.
