Housing and Poverty in Australia

Abstract

In Australia, poverty is usually measured in two different ways; first according to the number of people who have incomes below a poverty line and, second, by the number who are in poverty after they have paid for their housing. This note calculates both measures for 1981/82 and analyses the changes that have occurred since the early 1970s. Poverty measured after housing has increased while poverty measured according to incomes alone is approximately the same as in the early 1970s. This note explores reasons, additional to trends in housing costs, for the change.