Address child poverty in Australia
The issue
There is one in six children living in poverty in Australia. Poverty leads to poor nutrition, which limits growth and learning. It also cause unhealthy housing conditions increases chronic illness risks, financial stress erodes family wellbeing and excludes children from social participation. People living below 50% of median income and 60% of median income are regarded as living in poverty. In Australia, 868,300 children (15%) lived below a standard (50 per cent) poverty line in 2023. Poverty significantly disrupts the lives of children and young people. It impacts housing insecurity and financial issues, social engagement, mental health, eating habits, education and friendships. Growing up below the poverty line also creates more barriers into adulthood because socioeconomic disadvantages often limit their opportunities.
The financial support for children and family that lives below the poverty line is currently not enough. The Youth Allowance payments and JobSeeker Payment that increases in September 2023, they fail to help people to rise above the poverty line. Maximum Youth Allowance payments for a person living away from the parental home were $279 per week below the poverty line. JobSeeker paid $205 below the line for a single person, and JobSeeker and Family Tax Benefits for a couple with two school age children were $299 below the line.
Lowering the rent for the low-income families especially single parent family is very important for helping to eliminate child poverty. I believe that implementing these changes will not only improve the quality of life for family and children struggling to pay bills, but also build up a better future and contribute positively to the growth and sustainability of our community as a whole.
By signing up this petition, you can help promote:
Firstly, increasing the Youth Allowance payments and JobSeeker payment to an extent that is higher than 50% of median income and 60% of median income, which is the poverty line of the current society. Secondly, produce a new law for families under the poverty line to pay less for housing, reducing their burden on payment. This can be calculated from their wages, where the rent of housing should not exceed 30% of their income.
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The issue
There is one in six children living in poverty in Australia. Poverty leads to poor nutrition, which limits growth and learning. It also cause unhealthy housing conditions increases chronic illness risks, financial stress erodes family wellbeing and excludes children from social participation. People living below 50% of median income and 60% of median income are regarded as living in poverty. In Australia, 868,300 children (15%) lived below a standard (50 per cent) poverty line in 2023. Poverty significantly disrupts the lives of children and young people. It impacts housing insecurity and financial issues, social engagement, mental health, eating habits, education and friendships. Growing up below the poverty line also creates more barriers into adulthood because socioeconomic disadvantages often limit their opportunities.
The financial support for children and family that lives below the poverty line is currently not enough. The Youth Allowance payments and JobSeeker Payment that increases in September 2023, they fail to help people to rise above the poverty line. Maximum Youth Allowance payments for a person living away from the parental home were $279 per week below the poverty line. JobSeeker paid $205 below the line for a single person, and JobSeeker and Family Tax Benefits for a couple with two school age children were $299 below the line.
Lowering the rent for the low-income families especially single parent family is very important for helping to eliminate child poverty. I believe that implementing these changes will not only improve the quality of life for family and children struggling to pay bills, but also build up a better future and contribute positively to the growth and sustainability of our community as a whole.
By signing up this petition, you can help promote:
Firstly, increasing the Youth Allowance payments and JobSeeker payment to an extent that is higher than 50% of median income and 60% of median income, which is the poverty line of the current society. Secondly, produce a new law for families under the poverty line to pay less for housing, reducing their burden on payment. This can be calculated from their wages, where the rent of housing should not exceed 30% of their income.
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Petition created on 9 September 2026