Social Welfare

If the Government wants to increase higher education participation, it first needs to tackle the very real financial, psychological and cultural barriers for disadvantaged students

This year’s HILDA survey suggests that the Government’s COVID-19 financial support shows us there may be better ways to tackle income inequality in Australia

A woman’s risk of falling into poverty doubles after a separation, with a family breakup a poverty trap for many, says new University of Melbourne research

While having a job is often crucial to lifting people out of poverty, adequate income support and child care are also critical

Australia’s unique welfare-to-work system is extensively privatised but is failing the most disadvantaged

The COVID-19 economic shock has seen widespread financial stress among families with young children and now is the time to tackle it

Families’ reliance on income support is being passed down across generations, primarily among children of single parents and parents with disabilities

Family benefit payments aren’t fit for purpose with complex rules that make it hard for mothers to return to work and that penalise dual-earner families

2020 looked bleak, but Australia’s young people are working hard at getting work – volunteering and connecting to their communities. With the right support, their outlook is bright

Latest HILDA Survey shows it’s young workers most exposed to job losses, while poverty rates were edging higher before the COVID-19, it has made welfare policy critical to many Australians