Family poverty in Australia affects millions, with one in six children living in poverty.¹
Family poverty in Australia is an alarming issue that affects millions of lives, especially children. Today, one in six Australian children and young people are living in poverty¹, struggling to access essentials like food, shelter, healthcare, and education. These challenges can have long-lasting effects on their education, mental heath and future opportunities.
Family poverty occurs when a household lacks the financial resources to meet basic needs such as food, shelter, clothing, medicine and education. It limits access to opportunities. In Australia, this issue is urgent and escalating.
In NSW alone, the number of households skipping meals has risen by 30% since 2022 and 90% of single parents have gone without essentials.²
Child poverty in Australia is an alarming issue. With the rising cost of living and basic government income support falling short, more children and young people are at risk of experiencing poverty than ever before. Once caught in poverty, breaking free can be incredibly challenging, trapping families in a cycle that can affect generations.
Children experiencing poverty often face disrupted schooling due to frequent relocations or homelessness, poor concentration in class from hunger or shame, and social exclusion due to lack of uniforms, supplies, or lunch.
Children experiencing poverty are more likely to experience poor physical health from malnutrition, untreated medical issues due to missed doctor visits or unaffordable medication, and mental health challenges from stress and instability.
Children experiencing poverty are more likely to miss out on school due to shame, lack access to extracurricular activities, and struggle to develop a sense of community.
Children who grow up in a family that receives government support payments are twice as likely to receive support payments themselves, compared to children whose families do not receive support payments.⁴
The lack of affordable housing forces more families into unsafe or unstable conditions, such as in cars or overcrowded homes. Children living in these environments are at a greater risk of exposure to violence or other inappropriate behaviours.
Educational gaps caused by poverty limit job prospects in adulthood, continuing a cycle of low income, social exclusion, and dependency on support systems.
Long-term poverty leads to health issues, both mental and physical. Poor nutrition, untreated illnesses, and delayed diagnosis in childhood can lead to lifelong complications.
For more information on how you can help or access services designed to support families in need, visit Barnardos Australia’s services page today.
Children who experience poverty are more than three times as likely to also experience poverty as adults. They are 2.5 times more likely to live in social housing, and more than twice as likely to experience financial stress.³
Our recent survey indicated that nine in ten Australians agree that experiencing poverty impacts children into their adult lives.
Family poverty in Australia is not just an economic issue; it’s an educational crisis that affects future generations’ potential. By providing targeted support through organisations like Barnardos Australia and advocating for national policies focused on reducing child poverty, we can make significant strides toward breaking this cycle of disadvantage.
Barnardos Australia offers various services aimed at supporting families experiencing poverty:
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