Creating Economic Justice and Fairness

Insufficient income  

Those who rely on income support, such as JobSeeker or Youth Allowance, find it impossible to access many of the basic necessities that others take for granted. Problems are compounded by low rental affordability and increasing costs of utilities, transport and food. Increasingly, families are relying on regular emergency relief.  

Stagnating wages, the drying up of full-time low skill, entry level jobs and a trend toward casual or short contract work, alongside rising inflation, means that more people in employment are not able to earn a ‘living wage’.  

Spiralling cost of living 

Rising costs of food, accommodation, transport and utilities means that disadvantaged families are increasingly having to make decisions between which bill to pay. Utility costs can send low income families into bill shock and debt. People on the lowest incomes spend on average 6.4 per cent of their income on energy, compared to households in the highest income quintile, who pay on average only 1.5 per cent. Electricity is the most expensive utility, peaking during hot summer periods.  

Limited access to quality early childhood education and care 

The high out of pocket cost of care means that children living in the poorest households are least likely to attend preschool. This leaves them developmentally vulnerable in their first five years of life, and potentially perpetuates the cycle of disadvantage across the life span.  

Furthermore, lack of early childhood education and care options, combined with high costs of these services, poses a significant barrier to employment. This is particularly an issue for women, single parents, shift workers and those living in regional areas. 

Barriers to education, training and employment 

For people experiencing entrenched disadvantage, securing and maintaining employment can be particularly challenging. The findings of 100 Families WA research project highlights practical barriers including not having access to transport, childcare, or the right qualifications. Social barriers included a lack of confidence, experiencing fear or anxiety, and requiring greater social support to seek employment or gain a qualification for their desired field. Despite the current low unemployment, there is a shortage of entry level positions that can kick off career pathways.

Young people living independently or in low income households, face significant barriers to education and acquiring the skills they need to access employment opportunities. These include: Bullying and exclusion, stigma, reduced access to digital technologies, and costs associated with education or obtaining a drivers licence. Students growing up in disadvantage often face complex challenges associated with living with domestic violence, family mental health issues or substance abuse, which impacts their ability to develop life skills and progress academically.

Schools are not adequately resourced to meet the increasingly complex pastoral care and learning needs of students. There is a lack of centralised, accredited access point from which schools can get appropriate advice, and limited alternative education pathways for students. Once children are lost within the school system, post school outcomes are poorer.

Each year, Anglicare WA supports over 21,000 people experiencing financial stress, through services which include: