Concerns about poverty in Australia are rising as cost-of-living pressures hit hard, with a majority of people agreeing income support payments are not enough to live on, according to new research by the ACOSS and UNSW Sydney-led Poverty and Inequality Partnership, which includes a large group of social justice organisations.
The vast majority of people surveyed support an increase to JobSeeker, with almost nine in ten (87 per cent) people agreeing that unemployment payments should be enough so people don’t have to skip meals.
It comes 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.
Findings
The new research, which surveyed 2,520 people, found:
- Three in four people reject the idea that people on JobSeeker deserve to live in poverty, up from 59 per cent in 2023.
- Three in four people agree that poverty is a big problem in Australia, up from 69 per cent in 2023.
- Less than a quarter said they could live on JobSeeker, currently $409 a week.
- Three in five (60 per cent) people agree that government policies have caused some people in Australia to experience poverty.
- Almost nine in ten agree unemployment payments should be enough that people don’t have to skip meals.
- Three quarters of people agree the gap between the wealthy and people experiencing poverty is too great, and 68 per cent agree incomes at the top are too high.
- Across the political spectrum, an average of 77 per cent of voters agreed that poverty can be solved with the right systems and policies.
- Support for action crosses party lines, with 86 per cent of Greens voters, and 68 per cent of Labor and Liberal/National voters agreeing that people who receive unemployment payments do not deserve to live in poverty.
Distress
‘More people than ever are acutely aware of the level of financial distress in our communities. 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,’ ACOSS CEO Dr Cassandra Goldie said.
‘The social security system is failing people and needs to be fixed. People in Australia understand poverty has systemic causes and they want a social security system that actually keeps people out of poverty. This report reflects where the country stands.
‘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,’ she said.
‘A majority of people surveyed believe poverty is driven by policy, not individual choice. Three in five people agreed that government policies have caused people in Australia to experience poverty, while almost four in five agree people experience poverty due to circumstances beyond their control.
‘Poverty is the direct result of setting income support payments far below what is needed to eat and keep a roof over their head, not a personal failing,’ Dr Goldie said. ‘The evidence and basic decency all point to the same solution: lift the rate to a level that is enough to meet essential needs.’
Overwhelming
Scientia Professor Carla Treloar AM at the Social Policy Research Centre, UNSW Sydney said, ‘These findings reflect 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.’
Dr Theresa Caruana at the Centre for Social Research in Health, UNSW Sydney said, ‘Our findings show that people in Australia have a lot of compassion for people doing it tough. We compared participant responses along ten differing demographic categories, including age, housing status, and voting behaviour, and we found consistently high levels of support. The findings really speak to how important an issue this is across the whole community.’
‘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,’ said UNSW Vice-President, Societal Impact, Equity and Engagement, Professor Verity Firth AM.
‘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.’
Structural inequality
Violet Roumeliotis, SSI CEO said, ‘This report makes clear that most Australians, regardless of their politics, recognise that poverty is driven by structural inequality and that governments have both the power and the responsibility to act. Business as usual is not good enough. At a time of rising costs and growing hardship, we need bold action that lifts people out of poverty, not policies that leave them behind.’
Julie Edwards, CEO Jesuit Social Services said, ‘Millions of Australians are feeling the pinch of current cost-of-living pressures exacerbated by global affairs, and these pressures are felt even more by people on income support payments. Nobody should be forced to choose between keeping a roof over their head or feeding their family. These survey results make it clear that the majority of people support an increase to JobSeeker; now we need real action from our political leaders to lift people out of poverty.’
Mission Australia CEO, Sharon Callister said, ‘Every day at Mission Australia, we see the real impact of income support that falls short, with people skipping meals, medication, falling behind on rent and being pushed closer to homelessness.
‘No one should have to live like this. This research reflects what people across the country can see for themselves, that income support payments are too low to cover the basics. If we want to prevent more people from being pushed into poverty and homelessness, we need to lift the rate so people can afford food, keep a safe and secure roof over their head, and have the stability they need to move forward with their lives.’
The Smith Family CEO, Doug Taylor said, ‘The families we support at The Smith Family are certainly grappling with cost of living, with almost 90 per cent telling us rising petrol prices are forcing them to spend less on other things, like school essentials for their children.
‘The Commonwealth needs to be constantly monitoring the adequacy of support provided to low-income families.’
Read the full report here: https://bit.ly/communityattitudes2026.
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