Trends in poverty among sole parents
This graph displays the trends in poverty among sole parents, based on the 50% median income poverty line and as a percentage of all people in sole parent families, taking into account housing costs. It shows that sole parents had consistently higher poverty rates than the population-wide level throughout the period. The rate fluctuates in a ragged style, falling from 31% in 1999-00 to 25% in 2002-03, rising to 46% in 2007-08, falling to 26% in 2011-12, then rising again to 30% in 2016-17. This pattern can be partially explained by changes in median household incomes and housing costs for sole parents. The poverty rate among sole parents in income support households (relying primarily on either Parenting Payment or Newstart Allowance) followed a similar ragged pattern but at higher levels. This is due to a large number of sole parents living in income support households (varying between 53% of all sole parents in 1999-00 to 44% in 2015-16). Although these sole parents had lower…
Trends in poverty among unemployed people
This graph displays trends in poverty among people without paid work, by family type and payment according to the 50% median income poverty line and as a percentage of all unemployed people, taking into account the cost of housing. It shows that poverty among unemployed people was consistently higher than the population-wide poverty rate from 1999-00 to 2015-16. The poverty rate among unemployed single people was particularly high, at 90% at both the beginning and end of this period, reflecting the level of Newstart and Youth Allowances. Recipients of Newstart Allowance also had elevated poverty rates, albeit lower than those for single unemployed people. The differences between the two groups is family status (Newstart recipients includes those who are partnered) and employment status (approximately 1 in 5 Newstart recipients had part-time employment). There was also a marked increase in poverty amongst Newstart recipients from its already high level of 61% in 1999-00 to 78% in…
Trends in poverty gaps among older people
This graph shows that the average poverty gaps (the difference between the average incomes of those below the poverty line and the poverty line) among people aged 65+ in income support households were much lower than those across the whole population between 1999-00 and 2015-16. This is explained by the proximity between pension payments and the poverty line. However, the poverty gap for older couples in income support households rose over the period, from 18% of the after-housing poverty line in 2003-04 to a peak of 29% in 2015-16, probably reflecting increases in housing costs.
Trends in poverty among older people
This graph compares the before housing poverty rates for single older people after housing costs are taken into account, based on the 50% median income poverty line. It shows that until 2015, single people aged 65+ had significantly higher poverty rates than the wider community, whilst poverty rates for couples aged 65+ have been consistently lower. Poverty rates for older people in income support households (mainly Age Pension recipients) were slightly higher than rates for older single and partnered people generally, and followed similar lines. One of the noticeable features of this graph is the different trend in poverty among older single people and couples between 2005-06 and 2009-10. The poverty rate for older couples was relatively stable, declining from 9.2% in 2005-06 to 8.4% in 2009-10, while poverty rose for single older people from 27% in 2005-06 to 45% in 2008-09, then fell to 18% in 2009-10 – 9 percentage points below the 2005 level. The poverty rate among single older…
Trends in single pension rate and poverty line
This graph compares the single pension rate with average male earnings and the 50% median income poverty line before housing costs are taken into account. The result of the closeness between these means that large numbers of pension recipients can move from one side of the poverty line to the other.
Average poverty gaps among people in income support households
This graph shows trends in poverty gaps for households in which at least one member receives a substantial income support payment, expressed in constant 2015-16 dollars per week, adjusted for household size. It shows that poverty gaps for households relying on Newstart Allowance rose in several increments over the period, from $81 per week in 1999-00 to $136 per week in 2015-16. Poverty gaps for households relying on Age Pension and Disability Support Pension moved in more narrow fashion. The poverty gap for those relying on Age Pension rose from $52 a week in 1999-00 to $77 a week in 2015-16, while for those relying on Disability Support Pension the gap rose from $59 per week in 1999-00 to $73 per week in 2015-16. The poverty gaps for households relying on Parenting Payment fell from $70 a week in 1999-00 to $67 a week in 2004-05, then increased to $104 in 2015-16. The poverty gap for households on Carer Payment were more changeable, falling from $148 per week in 1999-00 to $28 per…
Average poverty gaps among people in income support households by percentage
This graph shows trends in poverty gaps for households in which at least one member receives a substantial income support payment (an income-tested payment for adults such as Newstart Allowance or Age Pension, as distinct from a supplementary payment such as Family Tax Benefit), expressed as a percentage of the 50% median income poverty line. It shows that poverty gaps for households relying on Newstart Allowance rose in several increments over the period, from 33% in 1999-00 to 41% in 2015-16. Poverty gaps for households relying on Age Pension and Disability Support Pension moved in more narrow fashion.
Trends in poverty rates by income support payment
This graph compares poverty rates among households in which at least one member receives a substantial income support payment (an income-tested payment for adults such as Newstart Allowance or Age Pension, as distinct from a supplementary payment such as Family Tax Benefit). Poverty rates for those receiving Newstart Allowance and Parenting Payment were consistently above the average, whilst the poverty rate for the Age Pension was consistently below average. The difference in poverty rates between these payments has increased since the Global Financial Crisis of 2007-08. Poverty in income support households reliant on Newstart Alllowance declined from 61% in 1999-00 to 48% in 2003, and then rose in zigzag fashion to 78% in 2015-16. Among income support households reliant on most pension payments (Age Pension, Disability Support Pension and Carer Payment), poverty rose during 2003-07; declined sharply from 2007-09; and has continued to fall since then. For households reliant on…
Profile of poverty by age (% of people in poverty)
These graphs show the the number of people living in poverty divided by age groups, by 50% and 60% median income poverty lines, in 2017-18 and 2015-16. 2017-18 The largest age group below the poverty line is those of working age (35-64 years), at 45% of all people in poverty (43% using the 60% of median income poverty line). This reflects their high share (53%) of the overall population. 2015-16 The largest group below the poverty line was those of working age (25-64 years), at 48.1% of all people in poverty (43.7% using the 60% median income poverty line) reflecting their high share (53%) of the overall population.
Profile of poverty among children
These graphs display the number of children living in poverty, divided by household type, by 50% and 60% median income poverty lines, for 2017-18 and 2015-16. 2017-18 This graph shows that most children in poverrty live in couple households (57.1% based on the 50% median income poverty line, and 60.7% based on the 60% median income poverty line). This is because the vast majority of children (82%) live in couple households. However, children in sole parent households are over-represented, at 41.4% and 36.1% of all children in poverty. 2015-16 This graph displays the number of children living in poverty, divided into their household type. It shows that most children in poverty live in couple households (61% based on 50% of median income poverty line, and 63% based on the 60% poverty line). This is because the vast majority of children (83%) live in couple households. However, children in sole parent households are over-represented, at 38% and 34% of all children in poverty.
