ACTCOSS has produced a factsheet presenting data on poverty and inequality in the ACT. This is one of a series of ACTCOSS factsheets that will harness data to provide accessible insights into key social policy issues in the ACT.
Disadvantage in the ACT tends to be hidden behind high averages across indicators such as income, education, and employment. Closer analysis reveals that a sizeable number of people in the ACT do experience poverty and disadvantage.
The most recent estimates for the ACT indicate that:
- Almost 40,000 Canberrans live in households that are among Australia’s most disadvantaged
- Since COVID-19, the number of people living in poverty has increased from just under 30,000 people to just over 38,000 people
- Over 25,000 people in low-income households are experiencing food stress
- Almost 23,000 people are living on JobSeeker, Youth Allowance, or other working-age allowances eligible for the Coronavirus Supplement
- Almost 9,500 low-income rental households are in rental stress
- Almost 8,000 children (12%) live in low-income households in the ACT.