Vision for SA
Targets and strategies
Download the fact sheet
Case studies
Tell us your story
Income, or the lack of it, is a main cause of poverty and lack of wellbeing.
One in four families in South Australia has an income of less than $500 per week and we have the highest rate of families who report Centrelink benefits as being their main source of income. Three quarters of older people rely on government pensions and benefits as their main source of income.
Particularly disadvantaged groups include lone parents, children from low income families, people with disabilities, Aboriginal people, elderly people as well as people living in certain localities. The highest proportion of low income South Australian families live in the most disadvantaged rural and regional areas.
Addressing this disadvantage requires the removal of barriers that prevent members of these groups gaining an education, getting and keeping a job, and accessing the supports and services that would make their lives better. Anomalies in the provision of welfare and market forces mean that they pay a disproportionately high part of their income on essential goods and services, and this too must be changed.
Vision for SA
SACOSS seeks equity of income for all South Australians. A decent income that meets the needs of an individual and their family is fundamental to the elimination of poverty.
Targets and Strategies
The Campaign’s targets and strategies to achieve its visions for South Australia are constantly being developed. The first development, entitled Building on the Blueprint and released in September 2005, can be downloaded here. It is to be read in conjunction with Extending Opportunity to All: a blueprint for the elimination of poverty in South Australia.
Case Studies
Anna’s story
Anna is a divorced mother with three children under 13 years. Since
separating from her husband, Anna has had to manage on Centrelink Parenting
Payments and Family Payments. Her husband has not paid his Child Support and
owes more than $2,000. Anna finds it difficult to find work because her
youngest child, aged 8 years, has autism and requires special care.
submitted 18 march 2005
Ingrid’s story
Our family has limited money, and limited ability to buy food to fill
the fridge. Sometimes I just keep heaps of old stuff in the fridge, jars and
containers with nothing really in them, because it makes the fridge look full.
submitted 01 june 2005, courtesy Food & Health & Wellbeing Group,
Noarlunga
Richard’s story
My wife died in 1998 from cancer, & it has been horrific trying to
live in my own house, on the single age pension. This pension is below the
poverty line, when having to pay all the bills, & live very moderately.
submitted 11 august 2005
Tell us your story
Type your own story relating to Income in the space below and click the Submit button, to contribute to our case studies file. If you fill in your name and contact details then we can get in touch with you to clarify any issues before your story goes on the website, but we will not give your details to anyone, and your story will remain anonymous with a different name listed on the website.