Every Suburb Every Town Poverty in Victoria VCOSS

Every suburb Every town
Poverty in Victoria
Robert Tanton, Dominic Peel and Yogi Vidyattama
November 2018
About NATSEM/IGPA
The National Centre for Social and Economic
Modelling (NATSEM) was established on 1 January
1993 and supports its activities through research grants,
commissioned research and longer term contracts for
policy analysis and model development and maintenance.
In January 2014, the Institute for Governance and

Policy Analysis (IGPA) at the University of Canberra was
established to harness the research strengths of NATSEM
and the ANZSOG Institute for Governance (ANZSIG). The
aim of this Institute is to create and sustain an international
class research institution for the study and practice of
governance and public policy.
The Institute has a strong social mission committed to

the production of leading edge research and research
driven education programs with genuine public value
and, by implication, policy impact. The integration of
ANZSIG and NATSEM has created exciting opportunities
for the development of cutting edge research in public
policy analysis through combining expertise in qualitative
and quantitative methods, micro-simulation and policy
modelling and evaluation.
NATSEM is one of three research centres within IGPA.

NATSEM aims to be a key contributor to social and
economic policy debate and analysis by undertaking
independent and impartial research of the highest quality,
including supplying valued commissioned research
services. NATSEM is one of Australia’s leading economic
and social policy research centres and is regarded as
one of the world’s foremost centres of excellence for
micro-data analysis, microsimulation modelling and
policy evaluation. In keeping with IGPA’s core mission,
NATSEM’s research activities aim to have significant
policy impact and lead to social and economic change.
IGPA Director: Professor Mark Evans

NATSEM Directors: Professor Robert Tanton and
Professor Laurie Brown
2
About VCOSS Author note
Authors of this report are:
As the peak body for the state’s social and community Professor Robert Tanton, University of Canberra
sector, VCOSS works towards eliminating poverty and
Dominic Peel, University of Canberra
disadvantage in all forms and creating a society where
everyone is supported to thrive. Dr Yogi Vidyattama, University of Canberra
We do this through policy development, public and Acknowledgement

private advocacy and increasing the capabilities of the This study is undertaken by the National Centre for Social
state’s social service organisations. and Economic Modelling (NATSEM), the Institute for
Governance and Policy Analysis (IGPA), at the University
We also give people experiencing poverty a voice in of Canberra, and is commissioned by the Victorian
policy formulation and public debates, fostering a Council of Social Services (VCOSS).
greater understanding of the true causes and effects
of disadvantage. Suggested citation
Our members include charities, peak bodies, frontline Tanton, R., Peel, D. and Vidyattama, Y., (2018), ‘Poverty
service groups, advocacy organisations and individuals in Victoria’, NATSEM, Institute for Governance and
passionate about developing a sustainable, fair and Policy Analysis (IGPA), University of Canberra. Report
equitable society. commissioned by VCOSS.
Visit www.vcoss.org.au for more information.
3
Acronyms
ABS Australian Bureau of Statistics
ASGS Australian Statistical Geography Standards
IGPA Institute for Governance and Policy Analysis
NATSEM National Centre for Social and Economic Modelling
VIC Victoria
SA2 Statistical Areas Level Two
SPRC Social Policy Research Centre
VCOSS Victorian Council of Social Service
Contents
Acronyms 4
Executive summary 6
Methodology 8
Calculating poverty 8
Data sources 9
Victorian poverty rates 10
The composition of poverty 14
Gender and poverty 16
Age and poverty 20
Families and poverty 24
Employment and poverty 28
Housing and poverty 32
Disability and poverty 36
Aboriginal Victorians and poverty 38
Discussion 40
Conclusions 42
References 43
Appendix 44
> View data for every

local area at
povertymaps.vcoss.org.au
5
Executive summary
Everybody intuitively knows people live in poverty in every suburb,

town and rural community in Victoria. Despite this, we can easily fall
into the trap of labelling some places as ‘rich’ and others as ‘poor’.
Popular culture and media reporting often reinforces this false view
and can lead policy makers to overlook the real face of Victorian
poverty. Public policy inevitably suffers as a result.
Even evidence-based poverty rates are reported as an

undifferentiated headline rate, doing nothing to debunk
Key findings
the ‘rich’ versus ‘poor’ areas myth. This research
confronts these myths head on, showing the people • 774,000 Victorians live in poverty (13.2%)
and places behind the headline numbers.
• Regional Victoria has a higher poverty
For the first time, we break down poverty in Victoria, rate than Melbourne (15.1% versus
allowing policy makers to better target the needs of 12.6%)
people in different places. We have created an interactive
mapping site at povertymaps.vcoss.org.au allowing • More than 1 in 6 Victorian children live
everyone to better understand the specific nature of in poverty (18.7% or 198,600 children)
poverty in their local community.
By using complex modelling techniques, the National

• Women comprise the majority of adults
Centre for Social and Economic Modelling (NATSEM) living in poverty (54.1% or 311,800
has produced poverty estimates for different groups in women)
different areas. We calculated poverty rates after housing
costs to give a truer picture of available income for life’s • A majority of people experiencing
other necessities. poverty live in families with children
These estimates provide a more sophisticated picture of
(57.8% or 447,300 people)
who experiences poverty, and where they live, than ever
• A majority of people living in poverty live
before – including their age, gender, disability status,
employment, family arrangements, and housing tenure. in owner-occupied homes (51.4% or
They show the characteristics of people living in poverty 397,900 people)
vary markedly from one community to another.
• More than one third of adults living
in poverty have a disability (34.3% or
197,600 people)
• More than a quarter of adults living in
poverty have a job (28.2% or 162,600
people)
• Even the richest communities had
poverty rates from 6%
• High poverty communities had poverty
rates of up to 40%
6
This rare analysis allows organisations to effectively
target local service delivery. We hope it will be used by
governments, community planners and service providers
for better services.
As an example, women form the majority of people

living in poverty, but men make up a majority in some
of Melbourne’s inner suburbs. There are many more
examples like this.
The big message here is that

poverty affects a diverse range
of people, in every Victorian
community – but it affects
them differently.
People living in poverty may own their home, work full-

time, or be raising families. They include children, and
older people in retirement. Importantly, the character of
poverty can be profoundly different in different places.
There is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ profile of poverty, and the

differences in the composition of poverty in different
places may have consequences for local policy
development and service delivery.
We hope this report makes a contribution to better-

targeted and evidence-based policy responses to start
reducing poverty in Victoria by meeting the specific
needs of different groups facing different challenges.

local area at
7
Methodology
Despite living in a wealthy state in a wealthy country, many Victorians

live in poverty. Poverty means not having enough available income to
afford life’s necessities. This report looks at measures of poverty after
housing costs are taken into account, providing a truer picture of poverty
compared to a before housing cost poverty rate.
Poverty can lead to an inability to pay for food, shelter, clothing or
healthcare, exclusion from social activities and/or severe stress from
chronic insecurity.
Accurate estimates of the demographic groups and

geographic areas affected by poverty allows policy
makers to respond to specific issues in specific The cost of housing varies
communities. They can help identify the nature and
extent of the problem and helps focus resources.
considerably across Victoria
This report provides data on two demographic
and subtracting housing costs
perspectives of poverty. It provides poverty rates for from incomes before calculating
local areas and particular groups of people, such as
unemployed people or people living in public housing. poverty rates provides a better
It also reports the composition of poverty, meaning
of all people experiencing poverty in an area, the
measure for comparing poverty
proportion who live in single parents families, or who across the state.
have a disability.
Calculating poverty Discrepancies in housing costs affect disposable incomes

This report uses a half-median after-housing equivalised available to households. For example, in some areas of
disposable income poverty line. We calculated this Victoria a family home can be rented for less than $150 a
poverty line at $353.45 per week. We calculate poverty week, while a similar home in Melbourne would cost more
rates by reporting the percentage of people in area who than $600 a week.
live in households who fall below this poverty line. After-housing poverty rates were used by ACOSS in their
To produce the poverty line, we calculate a household’s poverty report (Social Policy Research Centre, 2018).
disposable income, after paying direct taxes and receiving This report adopts their method for calculating poverty
income support payments. We subtract the household’s rates. These figures are broadly equivalent to the ACOSS
housing costs, including rent, mortgage payments and estimates at the state level.
water and property rates. We then make an adjustment This report also provides figures for the composition
for the number and age of people living in the household, of poverty. This is to say, of all people in an area who
so income can be compared in families of different are in poverty, what proportion is male or female, or
sizes. We then find the median figure, at which half the Aboriginal or not. This gives a slightly different view
population is above, and half is below. The poverty line is of poverty.
half this amount.
For example, while Aboriginal poverty rates tend to
This is a standard definition of poverty used in Australia be very high, Aboriginal people may still represent a
(Social Policy Research Centre, 2016). small proportion of total poverty, as Aboriginal people
make up only a small proportion of the total population.
8
Data sources
This report calculates Victorian estimates directly from
the 2015-16 ABS Survey of Income and Housing.
Small area estimates of poverty were calculated
using NATSEM’s spatial microsimulation model. They
are available for suburbs in Melbourne and SA2’s
across Victoria, using the interactive online resource
accompanying this report, accessible at povertymaps.
vcoss.org.au. Summing these small area estimates
will get close to, but won’t exactly match, the Victorian
estimates due to model error introduced in our small
area modelling process.
Poverty estimates are not typically available at a small

area level, particularly when cross-tabulated with other
data, however in recent years the National Centre for
Social and Economic Modelling at the University of
Canberra has developed synthetic estimates based
on ABS survey and Census data (Tanton, Vidyattama,
Nepal, & McNamara, 2011).
This method has been used for the online maps and
the map presented in this report, but not for the State
level results in this report, which are nearly all calculated
directly from the ABS survey.
For the online maps, the ABS standard geography

SA2 was used. This equates roughly to suburbs in
Melbourne or localities in regional areas.
Poverty rates for people with a disability were not

available from the small area estimation modelling
due to technical difficulties, but were calculated at
the state level directly from the ABS Survey of
Income and Housing.
Poverty rates for Aboriginal1 people were not available

on the survey, but were available from the small area
estimation model. However, they were not reliable for
small areas due to low sample sizes, so have only
been presented at the state and capital city/balance
of state level.
1 Note: This report uses the term ‘Aboriginal’ to be inclusive of all Aboriginal
and Torres Strait Islander people.
9
Victorian poverty rates
In 2015-16, the overall poverty

rate in Victoria was 13.2%2. The
poverty rate was 12.6% in Greater
Melbourne and 15.1% in the rest of
the state. These rates were similar
to the overall rate for Australia,
which was 13.1%.
However, poverty rates differed considerably between

demographics and areas. For example, the poverty
rate for Aboriginal people in Victoria was 25.4%, nearly
double the overall rate.
Rates tend to be lower among those who were

employed full-time (3.5%) and higher among
unemployed people (34.7%).
They were lower among couples without dependent

children (9.1%) and higher among lone parents (36%).
Poverty rates were lower for those who owned their

homes outright (8.8%) and higher for those in public
housing (51.4%). This is partly due to using an after
housing costs poverty line.
Poverty rates for all groups considered in this report

are provided in Table 1.
2 Calculated from the 2015-16 Australian Bureau of Statistics Survey of Income

and Housing.
10
Table 1
Poverty rates for different demographics in Victoria, Greater Melbourne and the Rest of Victoria
Demographic Victoria Greater Melbourne Rest of Victoria
Overall 13% 13% 15%

Overall (over 15) 12% 12% 13%
Male (over 15) 11% 11% 12%

Female (over 15) 13% 12% 15%
Under 15 19% 17% 23%

15-24 15% 15% 18%
25-64 12% 11% 14%
65+ 10% 10% 9%
Couple only 9% 10% 8%

Couple with dependent children 12% 12% 13%
Lone parent 36% 33% 44%
Lone person 21% 21% 20%
Other household type 7% 6% 12%
Employed full-time3 3% 3% 5%
Employed part-time 8% 8% 9%
Unemployed 35% 33% 41%
Aged 15-64 not in labour force 28% 28% 29%
Aged 65+ and not in labour force 10% 11% 9%
Own home outright 9% 8% 11%

Own home with mortgage 10% 9% 11%
Private rental 21% 20% 26%
Public rental 51% 50% 54%
Other household tenure 19% 21% 14%
Disability (over 15) 15% 14% 16%

No disability (over 15) 11% 11% 12%
Aboriginal4 25% 21% 30%

Not Aboriginal 13% 12% 15%
3 This is the proportion of all people in households experiencing poverty with this employment status, rather than the proportion of people in households in poverty
where the head of household experiences this employment status, as used in the ACOSS report. This is to ensure consistency with our later area based analysis.
4 Calculated from NATSEM’s synthetic population rather than direct from the Survey of Income and Housing.
11
local area at
Poverty rates varied by region. The SA2 with the lowest

poverty rate was Beaumaris at 6%, and the SA2 with the
highest poverty rate was Carlton at 40%.
The most common poverty rates for Victorian SA2s

are between 10 and 20% (Figure 1). Some areas were
outside this range, and 15% of areas had poverty rates
below 10%, while 3% had poverty rates above 25%.
Figure 1
Frequency distribution of poverty rates across Victorian SA2s
20
15
percent
10
0
0 10 20 30 40
Overall poverty rate
12
Figure 2 shows the regions with the highest poverty rates economic diversity than regional SA2s. This spatial
tended to cluster in the outer suburbs of Melbourne. The segregation by socioeconomic status serves to highlight
areas with the lowest levels of poverty were also primarily concentrations of poverty.
clustered in and around Melbourne.
As areas get larger, such as in regional areas, pockets of
The clustering of areas of high and low poverty in and poverty can be hidden, due to poor households sharing
around Melbourne is likely due to urban SA2s tending the area with higher income households.
to be both geographically smaller and having less socio-
Figure 2
Spatial distribution of poverty rates for Victorian SA2s. Melbourne region shown in inset.
Gender of Victorians in poverty

Number of Victorians experiencing
poverty aged 15+, by gender
14.0
12.0
10.0
Men in
8.0
poverty
264,900 Women in
6.0
poverty
311,800
4.0
2.0
0.0
Gender composition of poverty in Melbou

Gender proportions of people experienc
Women Men
Greater 53.5%
Melbourne
13
Regional
55.7%
The composition of poverty
Poverty rates give a quick and simple view of the concentration of poverty
in a particular place. But they do not tell the whole story. To understand
how poverty affects communities, we need to understand who lives in
poverty in different places.
The ‘composition of poverty’ refers to the proportion of all people living
in poverty from different demographics. For example, an area may have a
population of 1000 people, of which 100 are in poverty. This would mean
the poverty rate in that area is 10%.
But to deepen our understanding, we want to Online maps, associated with this report, provide
know who lives in in poverty. Of those 100 people the ability to look at the composition of poverty for
in poverty, it may be that 55 are female and 45 are small areas across Victoria. These are available at
male. Therefore, the composition of poverty would povertymaps.vcoss.org.au.
be 55% female and 45% male.
We also estimate the number of people in poverty
in each group. This is calculated by applying the In some areas, poverty may be
proportion of people in poverty to the number of
relevant people. This is people aged 15 and above concentrated among unemployed
for labour force status; gender; and disability; and
all people (excluding those living in households with people or those living in public
zero or negative incomes) for all other groups. housing. In other areas, possibly
Estimates of the number and proportion of people
in poverty in each group are shown in Table 2. This
with very high housing costs or
provides the composition of poverty across the very low wages, those employed
whole of Victoria.
full-time may comprise a large
We then consider the composition of poverty for
each characteristic we examined. We provide segment of people living in poverty.
state-wide results, a comparison of Melbourne and
regional Victoria, and a snapshot of the composition
for different local areas, showing how diverse the
composition can be at the local level.

local area at
14
Table 2
Number and Proportion of people in poverty in each group1
Demographic Total Victoria Greater Melbourne Rest of Victoria

% Count % Count % Count
Poverty (Count) 100 774,200 100 560,000 100 214,100
Male (over 15) 45.9 264,900 46.5 197,200 44.3 67,700
Female (over 15) 54.1 311,800 53.5 226,800 55.7 85,000
Total 100.0 576,700 100.0 424,000 100.0 152,700
Under 15 25.6 198,600 24.3 135,800 29.2 62,600
15-24 15.2 118,000 16.3 91,500 12.4 26,600
25-64 48.3 374,100 48.6 272,400 47.5 101,700
65+ 10.8 83,600 10.8 60,300 10.8 23,200
Total 100.0 774,300 100.0 560,000 100.0 214,100
Couple only 18.7 144,400 19.6 109,500 16.3 34,900
Couple with dependent children 39.8 307,900 42.1 235,500 33.9 72,500
Lone parent 18.0 139,400 15.3 85,800 25.0 53,400
Lone person 15.4 119,300 14.8 83,000 16.9 36,100
Other household type 8.2 63,200 8.2 46,100 8.0 17,100
Total 100.0 774,200 100.0 559,900 100.0 214,000
Employed full-time[1] 12.1 70,000 11.3 47,800 14.5 22,200
Employed part-time 16.1 92,600 16.0 67,700 16.3 24,900
Unemployed 11.6 66,900 12.0 51,000 10.4 15,900
Aged 15-64 not in labour force 46.3 266,800 47.2 200,300 43.5 66,400
Aged 65+ and not in labour force 13.9 80,400 13.5 57,100 15.3 23,300
Total 100.0 576,700 100.0 423,900 100.0 152,700
Own home outright 18.0 139,100 15.5 86,600 24.6 52,600
Own home with mortgage 33.4 258,800 34.3 192,000 31.2 66,800
Private rental 28.7 222,200 30.4 170,000 24.4 52,200
Public rental 8.4 64,800 7.8 43,800 9.8 21,000
Other household tenure 11.5 89,200 12.1 67,600 10.1 21,500
Total 100.0 774,100 100.0 560,000 100.0 214,100
Disability (over 15) 34.3 197,600 31.7 134,500 41.4 63,200
No disability (over 15) 65.7 379,100 68.3 289,500 58.6 89,500
Total 100.0 576,700 100.0 424,000 100.0 152,700
Aboriginal 1.44 11,200 0.90 5,000 2.89 6,200
Non-Aboriginal 98.56 763,000 99.10 555,100 97.11 207,900
Total 100.00 774,200 100.00 560,100 100.00 214,100
1 Numbers are to nearest 100. Rounding means that in some cases the Greater Melbourne and Rest of State totals won’t add to the Victoria total. The total population
is the population less households with negative and zero incomes, but including those with own source income. This is the same treatment as the ACOSS poverty
numbers.
15
Gender and poverty
Women comprise a majority of

people experiencing poverty in
Victoria aged 15 and over. There
are 311,800 women over age
15 living in poverty in Victoria,
exceeding the 264,900 men.
This is not only because women
outnumber men in the population,
but because women are more
likely to live in poverty than men.
More than one in eight Victorian
women experience poverty
(12.8%), compared with just over
one in nine men (11.3%).
20 30 40
20 30 40
16
Gender of Victorians in poverty Victorian poverty rates by gender
Number of Victorians experiencing Prevalence of poverty by gender
poverty aged 15+, by gender of people aged 15+
Gender of Victorians in poverty 14.0% Victorian poverty rates by gender

poverty aged 15+, by gender 12.0% of people aged 15+
14.0%
10.0%
Men in
12.0%
8.0%
poverty
264,900 Women in 12.8%
10.0%
6.0%
poverty 11.3%
Men in 311,800
8.0%
4.0%
poverty
264,900 Women in 12.8%
6.0%
2.0%
poverty 11.3%
311,800
4.0%
0.0%
Women Men
2.0%
Melbourne and regional
Gender Victoria
composition of poverty in Melbourne and Regional Victoria
When we compare Melbourne with regional Victoria, 0.0%
we see the proportions of those
Gender proportions of people experiencing poverty aged
Women 15+in Men
poverty are similar, with women slightly more heavily represented outside Melbourne.
Women Men
Gender composition of poverty in Melbourne and Regional Victoria

Greater Gender proportions of people experiencing poverty aged 15+
53.5% 46.5%
Melbourne Women Men
Greater
Regional 53.5% 46.5%
Melbourne 55.7% 44.3%
Victoria
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
Regional
55.7% 44.3%
Victoria
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
17
Gender of Victorians in poverty Victorian poverty rates by gender
poverty aged 15+, by gender of people aged 15+
Gender and poverty at the

14.0%
community level
12.0%
When we look more closely at the community
level, the gender distribution can vary widely. In
10.0%men form the majority of people living
some areas,
in poverty aged over 15. In other areas, women
Men in outnumber men by nearly two-to-one.
8.0%
poverty
In the inner city suburb of Docklands, 55% of
264,900 those living
6.0%in poverty 12.8%
were men. Men experiencing
Women in
poverty poverty especially tended to outnumber women11.3%in
311,800 some inner city areas of Melbourne.
4.0%
However, men also form the majority of people living
in poverty in certain outer-suburban and regional
2.0%
areas, like in Rockbank and Mount Cottrell on the
outskirts of Melbourne, Buninyong near Ballarat, or
the rural town of Kerang in Northern Victoria.
0.0%
In contrast, some areas have much higher Men
Women
proportions of women among those living in poverty.
For instance, the eastern Melbourne suburb of
Gender composition of poverty inAshburton
Melbourne had more than 3 women living in poverty
and Regional Victoria
for every 2 men (61%).
Gender proportions of people experiencing poverty aged 15+
Women tended to be more heavily represented
Womenamong
Men
people living in poverty in areas with ageing
populations, such as the outer eastern Melbourne
suburbs of Belgrave and Selby (65%), or the rural
Greater town of Kinglake (64%).
53.5% 46.5%
Melbourne
Regional
55.7% 44.3%
Victoria
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
18
Gender of people living in poverty in cross-section of areas
Proportion of people in poverty aged 15+ by gender (total number in brackets)
Women Men
Inner Melbourne
Docklands (1400) 45% 55%
Brunswick West (1900) 50% 50%
Newport (1500) 55% 45%
Ashburton (600) 61% 39%
Outer Melbourne
Rockbank - Mount Cottrell (200) 49% 51%
Sunshine (1800) 54% 46%
Mernda (2400) 59% 41%
Belgrave - Selby (900) 65% 35%
Inner Regional
Buninyong (500) 46% 54%
Phillip Island (1500) 52% 48%
Rushworth (500) 58% 42%
Kinglake (500) 64% 36%
Outer Regional
Kerang (400) 49% 51%
Nhill Region (600) 52% 48%
Bairnsdale (2100) 55% 45%
Irymple (700) 58% 42%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

local area at
19
Age and poverty
Children comprise more than one

quarter of Victorians living in poverty,
with 198,600 children under the age
of 15 living in poverty.
Gender of people living in poverty in cross-section of areas
Poverty
Proportion of people in poverty aged rates(total
15+ by gender in Victoria
number indecline
brackets)
with age.Women
More thanMen1 in 6 Victorian
Inner Melbourne children live in poverty (18.7%),
Docklands (1400) and
45% more than 1 in 7 young
55% people
Brunswick West (1900) (15.6%).
50% People aged over50% 65 have
Newport (1500) the55%
lowest poverty rate, 45%
with fewer
Ashburton (600) than61%
1 in 10 living in poverty
39% (9.9%).
Outer Melbourne
Rockbank - Mount Cottrell (200) 49% 51%
Sunshine (1800) 54% 46%
Mernda (2400) 59% 41%
Belgrave - Selby (900) 65% 35%
Inner Regional
Buninyong (500) 46% 54%
Phillip Island (1500) 52% 48%
Rushworth (500) 58% 42%
Kinglake (500) 64% 36%
Outer Regional
Kerang (400) 49% 51%
Nhill Region (600) 52% 48%
Bairnsdale (2100) 55% 45%
Irymple (700) 58% 42%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
20
Age of Victorians in poverty Victorian poverty rates by age group
Number of Victorians in poverty by age group Prevalence of poverty in each age group
20.0%
Retirement
age (65+)
83,600 15.0%
Children
(0 -14)
198,600
10.0%
18.7%
15.6%
Working Young
age (25-64) people 11.9%
5.0% 9.9%
374,100 (15-24)
118,000
0.0%
Children Young Working Retirement
(0-14) people age age (65+)
(15-24) (25-64)
Age composition of poverty in Melbourne and Regional Victoria

Children (0 - 14) Young people (15-24) Working age (25-64) Retirement age (65+)
Greater 24.3% 16.3% 48.6% 10.8%

Melbourne
Regional 29.2% 12.4% 47.5% 10.8%

Victoria
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
21
Age of Victorians in poverty Victorian poverty rates by age group
Number of Victorians in poverty by age group Prevalence of poverty in each age group
20.0%
Retirement
age (65+)
83,600 15.0%
Children
(0 -14)
198,600
10.0%
18.7%
15.6%
Working Young
age (25-64) people 11.9%
5.0%
Melbourne
374,100 and regional Victoria
(15-24) 9.9%
118,000
When we compare Greater Melbourne with the
rest of Victoria, Age of children
we see Victorians in poverty
comprise a larger Victorian poverty rates by age group
shareNumber
of the population living in
of Victorians in poverty
povertyinby Victoria’s
age group0.0% Prevalence of poverty in each age group
regions. In contrast, Melbourne has a higher Children Young Working Retirement
20.0%
proportion of young people among those living in (0-14) people age age (65+)
poverty than regional Victoria. (15-24) (25-64)
Retirement
age (65+)
83,600 15.0%
Children
(0 -14)
198,600
Children (0 - 14) Young people (15-24) Working
10.0%age (25-64) Retirement age (65+)
18.7%
15.6%
Greater Working 24.3% Young
16.3%
people 48.6% 10.8%
11.9%
age (25-64) 5.0%
Melbourne 374,100 (15-24) 9.9%
118,000

Victoria 0.0% 47.5% 10.8%
Children Young Working Retirement
(0-14) people age age (65+)
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80%
(15-24) 90% 100%
(25-64)

Age and poverty at the community level Young people can form a high proportion of
people living in poverty near universities, such as in
When we look more closely at the community level, Melbourne’s CBD, Clayton, or the Bendigo suburbs
the picture is even more diverse. of Flora Hill and Spring Gully.
Greater
Some areas have very high proportions24.3%
of children 16.3% 48.6% 10.8%
Melbourne Some areas with significant numbers of older people,
experiencing poverty, include some outer Melbourne like Bulleen, Dromana, or the area surrounding
suburbs like Burnside Heights, or rural towns Seymour, can have a high proportion of older people
like Romsey. among the population living in poverty.
Regional 29.2% 12.4% 47.5% 10.8%
Victoria
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

local area at
22
Proportion of people in poverty in each age group (total number in poverty in brackets)
Inner Melbourne
Melbourne (9400) 9% 34% 51% 6%
Fawkner (2900) 30% 13% 44% 13%
Bulleen (1100) 23% 9% 40% 28%
South Yarra (West) (500) 5% 22% 49% 23%
Outer Melbourne
Burnside Heights (900) 44% living in cross-section

Ages of people 8% 46%
of areas
Proportion
Clayt of people 16%
on (5100) in poverty in each
31%age group (total number
40%in poverty in brackets)
12%
Mickleham Children
& Yuroke(0(400)
- 14) Young 30%
people (15-24)
4% Working age (25-64)
56% Retirement age
10%(65+)
Inner
Dromana Melbourne 23%
(1400) 9% 40% 28%
InnerMelbourne
Regional (9400) 9% 34% 51% 6%
Fawkner
Flora Hill & Spring Gully (1200) (2900) 20% 30% 26% 13% 41% 44% 12% 13%
RomseyBulleen
(1100) (1100) 23%
38% 9%7% 40%
40% 28%
14%
South Yarra (200)
Macedon (West) (500) 5% 22% 49% 23%
17% 4% 56% 23%
Outer Melbourne
Seymour Region (300) 10% 10% 50% 30%
Burnside Heights (900) 44% 8% 46%
Outer Regional
Clayt on (5100) 16% 31% 40% 12%
Lockington & Gunbower (400) 37% 10% 46% 6%
Mickleham & Yuroke (400) 30% 4% 56% 10%
Yarriambiack (600) 22% 19% 43% 16%
Dromana (1400) 23% 9% 40% 28%
Foster (1100) 17% 16% 51% 17%
Inner Regional
Mansfield (800) 20% 5% 51% 24%
Flora Hill & Spring Gully (1200) 20% 26% 41% 12%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
Romsey (1100) 38% 7% 40% 14%
Macedon (200) 17% 4% 56% 23%
Seymour Region (300) 10% 10% 50% 30%
Outer Regional
Yarriambiack (600) 22% 19% 43% 16%
Foster (1100) 17% 16% 51% 17%
Mansfield (800) 20% 5% 51% 24%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
23
Families and poverty
Ages of people living in cross-section of areas

Proportion of people in poverty in each age group (total number in poverty in brackets)
Children (0 - 14) Young people (15-24) Working age (25-64)
The majority Retirement age (65+)
of Victorians
Inner Melbourne experiencing poverty live in families
Melbourne (9400)
with dependent children (57.8%).
9% 34% 51% 6%
Fawkner (2900) Ages of people Thecross-section

30% living in13%
most common family type 13%
of areas
44%
is
Proportion of people in poverty in each agea couple family
group (total number with dependent
in poverty in brackets)
Bulleen (1100) 23% 9% 40% 28%
Children (0 - 14) Young people (15-24) children, with
Working age 307,900
(25-64) Victorians
Retirement in
age (65+)
South Yarra (West) (500) 5% 22% poverty living
49% in this type of 23% family.
Inner Melbourne
Outer Melbourne
Melbourne (9400) 9%
Families with children
34% 51%
have higher6%
Burnside Heights (900) 44% poverty rates 8% than those 46% without
Fawkner (2900) 30% 13% 44% 13%
Clayt on (5100) 16% children. Similarly,40%
31% singles have12%
Bulleen (1100) 23% higher poverty
9% 40% rates than couples. 28%
South Yarra (West) (500) 5% 22% 49% 23%
Dromana (1400) 23% 9% 40% 28%
Outer Melbourne
Inner Regional
Burnside Heights (900) 44% 8% 46%
Clayt on (5100) 16% 31% 40% 12%
Romsey (1100) 38% 7% 40% 14%
Macedon (200) 17% 4% 56% 23%
Dromana (1400) 23% 9% 40% 28%
Seymour Region (300) 10% 10% 50% 30%
Inner Regional
Outer Regional
Romsey (1100) 38% 7% 40% 14%
Yarriambiack (600) 22% 19% 43% 16%
Macedon (200) 17% 4% 56% 23%
Foster (1100) 17% 16% 51% 17%
Seymour Region (300) 10% 10% 50% 30%
Mansfield (800) 20% 5% 51% 24%
Outer Regional
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
Yarriambiack (600) 22% 19% 43% 16%
Foster (1100) 17% 16% 51% 17%
Mansfield (800) 20% 5% 51% 24%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
24
Family arrangements of Victorian poverty rates by family arrangement
Victorians in poverty Prevalence of people living in poverty
Number of Victorians in poverty in each family type
by family type
40.0%
Other 35.0%
family
63,200 30.0%
Family arrangements of
Lone 25.0%Victorian poverty rates by family arrangement
person Couple
Victorians in poverty
family with Prevalence of people living in poverty
119,300 20.0%
Number of Victoriansdependent
in poverty in each family type
36.1%
by family type children 15.0%
307,900
Couple 10.0%
40.0% 20.8%
family only Other 12.5%
144,400 familySingle 5.0%
35.0% 9.1% 6.8%
parent
63,200
family with 0.0%
30.0%
Lone dependent Couple Single Couple Lone Other
Couple 25.0%
family with parent family only person family
person children
119,300 139,400 family with dependent
20.0% family with
dependent children dependent36.1%
children 15.0% children
307,900
Couple 10.0% 20.8%
family only
Family composition
144,400 Single 5.0% 12.5%
of poverty in Melbourne and Regional Victoria 9.1% 6.8%
parent Victoria
Couple family family
with dependent children 0.0%
Single parent family with dependent children
with
A comparatively higherdependent
Couple family proportion of people living in poverty
only Lone in Couple Single
couple families
person Couple
with children Lone Other
live in Greater Melbourne family with parent
(42.1%), compared to regional Victoria (33.9%). In contrast,
children family only person family
Other family
regional Victoria has a higher dependent family with
proportion of people in poverty living in single parent families
139,400
(25.0%) than in the city (15.3%). children dependent
children
Greater 42.1% 15.3% 19.6% 14.8% 8.2%
Melbourne
Family composition of poverty in Melbourne and Regional Victoria
Couple family with dependent
33.9% children 25.0%
Single parent
16.3%family16.9%
with dependent
8.0% children
Regional Victoria
Couple family only Lone person
Other family
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
Greater 42.1% 15.3% 19.6% 14.8% 8.2%

Melbourne
Regional Victoria 33.9% 25.0% 16.3% 16.9% 8.0%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
25
Families and poverty at the
community level
Again, the pattern of family types can vary
considerably in local communities.
The inner suburb of East Melbourne has a high
proportion of its people living in poverty living in
lone person households (46%), like a number of
inner city suburbs.
Some outer suburbs feature a majority of people
living in poverty in couple families with children,
like Narre Warren North (53%) or Wollert (58%).
Some areas have high proportions of people
experiencing poverty in single parent families, like
Melton West (46%), Mornington (35%), Alfredton
(36%) or Robinvale (32%).
26
Family type of people living in cross-section of areas
Proportion of people in poverty living in each family type (total number in poverty in brackets)
Couple family with dependent children Single parent family with dependent children
Other family
Inner Melbourne
East Melbourne (300) 13% 3% 30% 46% 7%
Parkville (800) 16% 16% 15% 28% 25%
Heidelberg West (2700) 25% 32% 14% 20% 9%
Balwyn North (2600) 42% 23% 16% 8% 11%
Outer Melbourne
Mornington (2800) 19% 35% 20% 22% 4%
Narre Warren North (800) 53% 9% 19% 6% 13%
Wollert (1800) 58% 18% 12% 4% 9%
Melton West (2900) 33% 46% 8% 8% 6%
Inner Regional
Point Lonsdale-Queenscliff (300) 12% 28% 31% 29%
Colac Region (600) 42% 4% 21% 13% 20%
Maiden Gully (400) 37% 9% 19% 6% 29%
Alfredton (1100) 30% 36% 20% 12%
Outer Regional
Alexandra (600) 24% 11% 22% 36% 8%
Robinvale (400) 17% 32% 13% 17% 20%
Corangamite-South (800) 38% 12% 34% 12% 3%
Horsham Region (300) 52% 17% 17% 13%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
27
Employment
and poverty
More than one quarter of people

living in poverty have a job (28.2%
of those aged over 15).
Fewer than one in eight are
unemployed (11.6%), meaning they
are not working but actively looking
for work. There are more working
people living in poverty (162,600)
than unemployed people (66,900).
Those aged 15 to 64 and not in the labour force

represented the greatest proportion of those in
poverty. This group includes people who aren’t
working because they have a disability or chronic
health condition, are caring for children or people
with disability, are studying, or have become
discouraged from looking for work.
28
Employment status of Victorians Victorian poverty rates by
in poverty employment status
Number of Victorians in poverty aged 15+ Prevalence of poverty by each
by employment status employment status of adults aged 15+
Employment status of Victorians 40.0%

Age 65+ Victorian poverty rates by
and notpoverty
in Employed 35.0% employment status
in labour in full-time
Number of Victorians poverty 30.0%
force 70,000 aged 15+ Prevalence of poverty by each
by employment status 25.0%
80,400 employment status of adults aged 15+
20.0%
Employed 40.0% 34.7%
Age 65+ part-time 15.0% 28.4%
Employed 92,600 35.0%
and not 10.0%
in labour full-time 30.0%
Age 15 - 64 5.0% 10.4%
force 70,000 8.5%
and not in 25.0% 3.5%
80,400
labour Unemployed 0.0%
force 66,900 20.0%
Employed 34.7%
e
15.0%
e
e
e
266,800
rc
ed
part-time 28.4%
tim
rc
tim
fo
oy
fo
92,600 10.0%
rt-
ll-
ur
pl
ur
fu
pa
bo
m
bo
Age 15 - 64 5.0% 10.4%
ed
ne
8.5%
la
d
la
and not in
e
oy
3.5%
U
in
oy
0.0%
n
labour Unemployed
pl
ti
t
pl
no
Em
no
66,900
Em
force
nd
e
d
4 me
e
e
266,800
rc
ed
an
rc
a
tim
fo
65 y
+
-6-ti
fo
e plo
ll-
ur
15 rt
ur
fu
e pa
bo
Agm
bo
ed
ne
la
Ag d
la
e
oy
n
oy
ti
pl
ti
pl
no
Em
no
Em
Employment status of poverty in Melbourne and Regional Victoria

d
d
Melbourne and regional Victoria

an
an
Employed full-time Employed part-time Unemployed

4
65
-6
Regional Victoria has a slightly higher proportion of people living in poverty despite
15
Age
working 15-64(14.5%)
full-time and notthan
in labour
Greaterforce
Melbourne Age 65+ and not in labour force
(11.3%).
Ag
e
Ag
Employment status of poverty in Melbourne and Regional Victoria

Greater 11.3% 16.0% 12.0% 47.2% 13.5%
Melbourne
Age 15-64 and not in labour force Age 65+ and not in labour force
Regional 14.5% 16.3% 10.4% 43.5% 15.3%
Victoria
Greater 11.3% 16.0% 12.0% 47.2% 13.5%
Melbourne0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
Regional 14.5% 16.3% 10.4% 43.5% 15.3%

Victoria
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
29
Employment and poverty at the
community level
In some areas more than 2 in 5 people living in
poverty are working, such as the north-eastern
suburbs of Research and North Warrandyte (42%),
Family arrangements of Victorian
or the region poverty
surrounding therates
city ofby family(44%).
Mildura arrangement
Victorians in poverty Prevalence of people living in poverty
In other areas more than 1 in 5 are unemployed, like
Number of Victorians in poverty
the Melbourne suburb ofinMalvern
each family type or the
East (25%),
by family type Southern Grampians in Victoria’s west (24%).
40.0%
Many areas have significant proportions of older
Other
family people35.0%
having left the workforce in poverty, like
63,200 Beaumaris
30.0%(25%), Chiltern and the Indigo Valley
(32%) and the West Wimmera (30%).
Lone 25.0%
person Couple In some areas the majority of people living in poverty
119,300 family with 20.0%
dependent are under 65 but not in the36.1%
labour force, like Carlton
children (58%) 15.0%
or Meadow Heights (61%).
307,900
Couple 10.0% 20.8%
family only 12.5%
144,400 Single 5.0% 9.1% 6.8%
parent
family with 0.0%
dependent Couple Single Couple Lone Other
children family with parent family only person family
139,400 dependent family with
children dependent
children
Family composition of poverty in Melbourne and Regional Victoria

Couple family with dependent children Single parent family with dependent children
Other family
Greater 42.1% 15.3% 19.6% 14.8% 8.2%

Melbourne
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
% > View data for every

local area at
30
Employement status of people living in cross-section of areas
Proportion of adults aged 15+ in poverty by employment status
(total number in poverty in brackets)

Age 15-64 and not in labour force Age 65+ and not in labour force
Inner Melbourne
Carlton (4800) 5% 10% 18% 58% 9%
Malvern East (2500) 7% 13% 25% 39% 15%
Kew East (700) 10% 21% 10% 42% 17%
Beaumaris (800) 16% 17% 6% 36% 25%
Outer Melbourne
Meadow Heights (4600) 4% 9% 14% 61% 12%
Bundoora - North (1400) 9% 11% 22% 45% 13%
Chelsea Heights (600) 15% 16% 5% 36% 28%
Research - North Warrandyte (400) 25% 17% 9% 27% 22%
Inner Regional
Maryborough Region (700) 6% 12% 16% 46% 20%
Chiltern - Indigo Valley (300) 20% 11% 11% 26% 32%
Seymour (800) 7% 27% 16% 38% 12%
Smythes Creek (400) 27% 13% 13% 31% 16%
Outer Regional
Avoca (400) 10% 9% 13% 50% 18%
West Wimmera (200) 10% 19% 8% 33% 30%
Southern Grampians (600) 16% 13% 24% 30% 17%
Mildura Region (400) 20% 24% 13% 20% 23%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
31
Housing and poverty
Employement status of people living in cross-section of areas

Proportion of adults aged 15+
Thein majority
poverty by employment status
of Victorians
(total number in poverty in brackets)
experiencing poverty live in
nt Employed full-time owner-occupied
Employed part-time homes (51.4%).
Unemployed
Age 15-64 and not in labour force Age 65+ than
More and notainquarter
labour force
of a million
Inner Melbourne
Employement status of people experiencing
people living poverty
in cross-section live
of areas
CarltonProportion
(4800) 5%of adults in18%
10% aged
mortgaged
15+ in poverty homes, representing
by employment
58% status 9%
Malvern East (2500) 7% 13%
the
(total number most common
in poverty housing
in brackets)
39% 15%
25%
ement Employed full-time tenure (33.4%).
Employed part-time Unemployed
Kew East (700) 10% 21% 10% 42% 17%
y Age 15-64 and not in labour force Age 65+ and not in labour force
Beaumaris (800) 16% This
17% is 6%
closely followed
36% by 25%
OuterInner Melbourne
Melbourne people living in privately rented
Meadow Heights Carlton
(4600)(4800)
4% 9%5% 10% homes (28.7%). While
14% 18% 61%
people
58% 12% 9%
BundooraMalvern
- North East
(1400)(2500)9% 7% living in public housing
11%13% 22% 25%
have the 13%15%
45% 39%
8%
Kew East
highest poverty rate of any group
her Chelsea Heights (600) (700)15%10% 16% 21%5% 10% 36% 42% 28% 17%
mily Beaumaris
discussed in this report, they
Research - North Warrandyte (400) (800) 16% 17% 6%9%
17% 36% 22%25%
25%
account for less than27%
1 in 10
Outer
Inner Melbourne
Regional
people experiencing poverty,
% Meadow
Maryborough Heights
Region (4600)
(700) 6% 4%12% due14%
9% 16% 46% 61%
to the small numbers public 20% 12%
6.8% Chiltern Bundoora - North
- Indigo Valley (1400) 20%
(300) 9% 11% 11% 11%
housing 22% 26%
properties. 45% 32% 13%
Other Chelsea Heights

Seymour (800)(600)
7% 15%27% 16% 5%
16% 36% 38% 28%
12%
n family ResearchSmythes
- North Warrandyte
Creek (400)(400) 27%25% 13% 17%13% 9% 27%
31% 22%
16%
OuterInner Regional
Regional
Maryborough Region
Avoca (400)(700)10%6%9%12%13% 16% 50% 46% 18%20%
Chiltern
West -Wimmera
Indigo Valley
(200)(300)
10% 20%
19% 11%
8% 11% 33% 26% 30% 32%
ren Seymour
Southern Grampians (600)(800) 16%
7% 13%27% 24% 16% 30% 38% 17% 12%
Smythes
Mildura Creek
Region (400)(400) 20% 27% 24% 13% 13%
13% 20% 31% 23% 16%
Outer Regional
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
Avoca (400) 10% 9% 13% 50% 18%
West Wimmera (200) 10% 19% 8% 33% 30%
Southern Grampians (600) 16% 13% 24% 30% 17%
Mildura Region (400) 20% 24% 13% 20% 23%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
32
Housing of Victorians in poverty Victorian poverty rates by housing tenure
Number of Victorians in poverty by Prevalence of poverty for each housing tenure
housing tenure
60.0%
Other 50.0%
tenure Owned
89,200 outright
Publicly 40.0%
Housing of Victorians
139,100 in poverty Victorian poverty rates by housing tenure
rented
Number of Victorians in poverty by
64,800 Prevalence of poverty for each housing tenure
housing tenure 30.0%
60.0%
51.4%
20.0%
Privately 50.0%
rented Other Mortgaged
222,200 tenure 258,800
Owned
10.0% 20.8%
89,200 outright 18.7%
Publicly 40.0%
139,100 8.8% 9.6%
rented
64,800 0.0%
30.0%
Owned Mortgaged Privately Publicly Other
outright rented rented tenure
51.4%
20.0%
Privately
rented Mortgaged
222,200 258,800
10.0% 20.8%
Housing Victoria
composition of poverty in Melbourne and Regional Victoria 18.7%
9.6%
Owned has
Regional Victoria outright
a higher Mortgaged Privately
proportion of people rented8.8%
experiencing Publicly rented Other tenure
0.0%
poverty living in homes owned outright (24.6%). Greater Melbourne
has a higher proportion of people experiencing poverty in privately
rented homes (30.4%).
Greater Melbourne 15.5% 34.3% 30.4% 7.8% 12.1%
Housing composition of poverty in Melbourne and Regional Victoria

Owned outright
Regional Victoria 24.6% Mortgaged31.2%
Privately rented24.4%
Publicly 9.8%
rented10.1%
Other tenure
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
33
Housing and poverty at the
community level
Housing of Victorians in poverty Victorian poverty rates by housing tenure
Number of Victorians in poverty by HousingPrevalence
shows a very of clear pattern
poverty acrosshousing
for each local tenure
housing tenure areas: broadly, the further from the centre of
Melbourne,
60.0% the higher the proportion people living
in owner-occupied homes.
Other The contrast between areas can be striking.

50.0%
tenure For instance, in Southbank the majority of people
Owned
89,200 outright experiencing poverty live in privately rented homes
% Publicly 40.0%but a few kilometres north in Collingwood,
(60%),
139,100
rented the majority live in public housing (50%).
% 64,800
30.0%
Some outer suburbs and regional towns show high
proportions of mortgagees among the population 51.4%
in20.0%
poverty, comprising a majority in suburbs like
Privately Lynbrook and Lyndhurst (73%), the southern part
rented Mortgaged
258,800 of Golden Plains shire (71%), or the rural villages
222,200 10.0%
surrounding Swan Hill (64%). Some20.8% areas have 18.7%
% significant proportions
8.8% of
9.6%people living in poverty
who own
0.0% their homes outright, like Burwood East
% (30%), Keilor (32%), Yea (35%) or Orbost (36%).
Housing composition of poverty in Melbourne and Regional Victoria

Owned outright Mortgaged Privately rented Publicly rented Other tenure
%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
00%

local area at
34
Housing tenure of people living in cross-section of areas
Proportion of people in poverty in each housing tenure (total number in poverty in brackets)
Owned outright Mortgaged Privately rented Publicly rented Other tenure
Inner Melbourne
Collingwood (1400) 9% 12% 19% 50% 10%
Armadale (900) 16% 16% 43% 7% 18%
Southbank (2500) 11% 22% 60% 8%
Burwood East (1400) 30% 34% 30% 7%
Outer Melbourne
Broadmeadows (3800) 18% 31% 24% 19% 8%
Doreen (2700) 7% 52% 28% 11%
Keilor (800) 32% 42% 22% 3%

e
Lynbrook and Lyndhurst (2200) 13% 73% 10%
Inner Regional
Bendigo Central (2000) 10% 23% 46% 8% 13%
Bacchus Marsh (2500) 12% 39% 23% 12% 14%
Yea (500) 35% 30% 18% 15%
Golden Plains South (600) 12% 71% 16%
Outer Regional
Mildura North (2700) 10% 25% 43% 9% 12%
Orbost (900) 36% 25% 26% 12%
Swan Hill Region (700) 15% 64% 19%
Benalla Region (300) 31% 56% 3% 10%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
35
Disability and poverty
More than one third of Victorians

experiencing poverty also live
Housing tenure of people living in cross-section
with disability (agedof areasover 15).
Proportion of people in poverty in each housing tenure (total number in poverty in brackets)
Housing tenure of people living This means
in cross-section nearly
of areas200,000
Owned
Proportion outright
of people Mortgaged
in poverty Privatelytenure
in each housing rented(totalPublicly
Victorians withrented
number povertyOther
disability
in tenure
live in
in brackets)
OwnedInner
outright Mortgaged Privately rented
Melbourne poverty. People
Publicly with disability
rented Other tenureare
Inner Melbourne
Collingwood (1400)
also more likely to live in poverty
9% 12% 19% 50% 10%
than those without disability.
Collingwood (1400)
Armadale (900) 9% 16%
12% 19%
16% 43% 50% 7% 10%
18%
Armadale (900)
Southbank (2500) 16%
11% 16%
22% 43% 60% 7% 18% 8%
Southbank
Burwood (2500)
East (1400) 11% 22%
30% 34% 60% 30% 8%7%
Burwood East
Outer (1400)
Melbourne 30% 34% 30% 7%
Outer Melbourne
Broadmeadows (3800) 18% 31% 24% 19% 8%
Broadmeadows (3800)
Doreen (2700) 18%
7% 31%
52% 24% 28%19% 8%
11%
Doreen (2700)
Keilor (800) 7% 32% 52% 42% 28% 22%11% 3%
Keilor (800)
Lynbrook and Lyndhurst (2200) 13%32% 42%
73% 22% 10%
3%
Inner Regional
Lynbrook and Lyndhurst (2200) 13% 73% 10%
Inner
Bendigo Regional
Central (2000) 10% 23% 46% 8% 13%
Bendigo Central
Bacchus Marsh (2000)
(2500) 10%
12% 23% 39% 46% 23% 8%
12% 13%
14%
Bacchus Marsh Yea

(2500)
(500) 12% 35% 39% 30% 23% 12%
18% 14%
15%
Yea (500)
Golden Plains South (600) 12% 35% 30%
71% 18% 15%
16%
Golden PlainsOuter
SouthRegional
(600) 12% 71% 16%
OuterNorth
Mildura Regional
(2700) 10% 25% 43% 9% 12%
Mildura North (2700)

Orbost (900) 10% 25%
36% 43%
25% 26%9% 12%
12%
Orbost
Swan Hill (900)
Region (700) 15%36% 25%
64% 26% 12%
19%
Swan Hill Region

Benalla (700)
Region (300) 15% 31% 64% 56% 19%3% 10%
Benalla Region (300) 0% 31% 20%

10% 30% 40% 50%56%
60% 70% 80%3%90%
10% 100%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
36
Melbourne and regional Victoria
Regional Victoria has a substantially higher proportion of its people experiencing
poverty who have a disability, compared with Greater Melbourne.
Victorians with disability Victorian poverty rates by

experiencing poverty disability status
Number of Victorians in poverty by Prevalence of poverty by disability
experiencing poverty disability status
disability status, aged 15+ status of people aged 15+
16.0% status of people aged 15+
disability status, aged 15+
16.0%
14.0%
14.0%
12.0%
People with 12.0%

10.0%
disability in
People poverty
People with 10.0%
8.0%
without disability
197,600in 14.8%
disability
People poverty 8.0%
6.0%
without
in poverty 197,600 14.8% 10.9%
disability
379,100 6.0%
4.0%
in poverty 10.9%
379,100
4.0%
2.0%
2.0%
0.0%
People with disability People without
0.0% disability
disability
Disability composition of poverty in Melbourne and Regional Victoria
Proportions of people experiencing poverty with and without disability, aged 15+
Proportions of people People with disability
experiencing poverty withPeople without
and without disabilityaged 15+
disability,
People with disability People without disability
Greater 31.7% 68.3%
Melbourne
Greater 31.7% 68.3%
Melbourne
Victoria
Victoria
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
37
Aboriginal Victorians
and poverty
Aboriginal Victorians experience

poverty at nearly twice the rate
as other Victorians. It is estimated
disability status
experiencing poverty
Victorians with disability
Number of Victorians in poverty by
11,200
Victorian Aboriginal
poverty
Prevalence rates by Victorians
of poverty by disabilitylive
experiencing poverty
disability status, aged 15+ indisability
poverty. status
status of people aged 15+
16.0%
disability status, aged 15+ Regional
status Victoria
of people aged 15+has a substantially
16.0% 14.0% proportion of its people
higher
14.0%
experiencing
12.0% poverty from an
People with 12.0%
Aboriginal
10.0%
background. In fact,
People
disability in more Aboriginal people live in
poverty 8.0%
People with
without 10.0% poverty in regional
14.8% Victoria (6,200)
disability in 197,600
disability
People poverty 8.0% 6.0% in Melbourne (5,000).
than
without in poverty 10.9%
197,600 14.8%
disability 379,100
6.0% 4.0%
in poverty 10.9%
379,100 2.0%
4.0%
2.0% 0.0%
0.0% disability
disability
Greater 31.7% 68.3%
Melbourne
Greater 31.7% 68.3%
Melbourne
Victoria
Victoria 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
38
Aboriginal Victorians in poverty Victorian poverty rates by
Number of Victorians in poverty by Aboriginal status
Aboriginal VictoriansAboriginal
in povertystatus Victorian Prevalence
poverty rates by
of poverty by people
Number of Victorians in poverty by Aboriginal Aboriginal status
Aboriginal status
Aboriginal status people in Prevalence of poverty by people
Aboriginal poverty 30.0%
11,200 Aboriginal status
people in
poverty 30.0%
11,200 25.0%
25.0% 20.0%
20.0% 15.0%
25.4%
15.0% 10.0%
Other people in poverty 25.4%
763,000 10.0% 13.0%
Other people in poverty 5.0%
763,000 13.0%
5.0% 0.0%
Aboriginal people Other people
0.0%
Aboriginal people
Proportion of people in poverty Other people
who are Aboriginal
Proportion of people inand
Melbourne poverty
Regional Victoria
who are Aboriginal
3.5%and Regional Victoria
Melbourne
3.0%
3.5%
2.5%
3.0%
2.0%
2.5%
1.5% 2.9%
2.0%
1.0%
1.5% 2.9%
0.5% 0.9%
1.0%
0.0%
0.5% 0.9% Greater Regional
0.0% Melbourne Victoria
Greater Regional
Melbourne Victoria
39
Discussion
For the first time in Victoria, this analysis has looked at poverty rates not
only by small area, but by small area and demographic group. This allows
governments, community planners and local service providers to know
who they are servicing in a local area.
Different groups will need different services – a Around a quarter of people living in poverty (aged
high proportion of renters in poverty in an area over 15) had a job, with nearly half of these working
may indicate a high need for housing assistance; full-time. Around 1 in 8 people living in poverty (aged
but a high proportion of unemployed in poverty in over 15) are unemployed.
an area may signal a need for better employment
programs. The online maps provided allows service However, the majority of people living in poverty are
providers to see precisely who lives in poverty in not in the labour force, with people of retirement
local communities. age (over 65) only accounting for about a quarter
of these. There is a very large group of people living
Across Victoria, women are more likely to in poverty who are under the age of 65, and are
experience poverty than men, and women account neither working nor unemployed.
for a majority of adults (over 15) living in poverty.
These people may be studying, caring for children,
However, the difference was not large, with or caring for relatives with disabilities or who are
women’s poverty rates only a few percentage ageing. Again, there was significant local divergence
points higher than men’s. There are local differences in employment patterns, with some areas featuring
in the gender composition of poverty, with men higher proportions of people working among people
predominating in some areas, especially around living in poverty, while others had higher levels of
inner Melbourne. unemployment, or being outside the labour force.
Together, children, young people, and older people We find a majority of the people living in poverty
over the age of 65 account for a slight majority of have a mortgage or are renting in the private
Victorians living in poverty, outnumbering those of market. Both these tenures are fairly risky for people
prime working age (25-64). The age composition of in poverty. An increase in interest rates could push
poverty can vary widely in local communities, often those with a mortgage out of their homes. Rent
reflecting local demographics. increases could adversely affect areas with a large
proportion of renters.
For instance, the outer suburbs of Melbourne tend
to have a high proportion of children, retirement While public housing tenants have high rates of
communities tend to have a higher proportion of poverty, they only represent a small proportion of
older people, and suburbs near tertiary education Victoria’s impoverished population. Less than 10%
institutions often have higher prevalence of young of people living in poverty are in public housing.
people among their impoverished populations.
More than 1 in 3 people living in poverty have a
Many people living in poverty lived in couple disability. People with a disability are more likely
or single parent families. Over half of people to live in poverty than other Victorians. People
experiencing poverty live in families with children. with a disability are particularly prevalent among
the impoverished population in regional Victoria,
As with age, the prevalence of family types representing 41.4% of those living in poverty.
often reflects local community demographics,
for instance, with high proportions of people Looking at our statistics, a common picture of
experiencing poverty living in families with poverty is a family with children and with at least
dependent children in the outer suburbs of one person in the household not in the labour force,
Melbourne. and renting or paying a mortgage.
40
While this picture has been built up looking at each
dimension, we can calculate that 23% of people
living in poverty fit this profile. This large group lives
a precarious existence – they subsist on one low
wage or income support, have high housing costs,
and care for children at the same time.
For governments, community planners and service
providers, a major implication is many of those in
poverty have a mortgage or are paying rent. This
has implications when interest rates or rents start
rising, as poverty will likely grow as more families fall
below the after-housing poverty line.
This analysis allows us, for the first time, to
understand how the demographics of poverty
changes depending on the local area.
Poverty looks different in different places, and we
cannot adopt a one-size-fits-all approach to tackling
poverty. Because the people experiencing poverty
are different, reducing poverty lends itself to place-
based approaches, which meet the needs of the
local experience of poverty, and examine and solve
the particular issues contributing to poverty in
different places.

local area at
41
Conclusions
Poverty directly or indirectly affects every Victorian. For people living in

poverty the effects are immediate and obvious, and managing them will
likely occupy a substantial proportion of their time. For those not living in
poverty the effects may be less apparent, but it nevertheless affects the
society in which they live.
Children born into poverty face extra challenges Is it fair that Aboriginal Victorians are twice
to reaching their full potential. Children growing up as likely to live in poverty as others?
in poverty have worse health outcomes (Spencer,
2018), do worse at school (Hair, Hanson, Wolfe, & Should children experience poverty more than any
Pollak, 2015), and have lower incomes as adults other age group?
(Duncan, Ziol-Guest, & Kalil, 2010). How well is our jobs market working when more
This imposes a cost on society. Poorer health than a quarter of people living in poverty have a job?
means more health spending, poorer educational Why do some places have far higher poverty levels
outcomes mean fewer employment opportunities, than others?
and lower incomes mean lower consumer spending
and a weaker economy. High poverty rates entrench Answering these questions helps guide us toward
continued poverty in the next generation. solutions to create a fairer, more equal Victoria. By
aiming for a Victoria without poverty, we can help
Some people are disproportionately exposed to every Victorian reach their potential.
poverty. This unmasks inequality in our society, and
begs important questions about the kind of society
we want, such as:

42
References
Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2018). ABS.Stat.

Retrieved June 1, 2018, from http://stat.data.abs.
gov.au/
Duncan, G. J., Ziol-Guest, K. M., & Kalil, A. (2010).
Early-childhood poverty and adult attainment,
behavior, and health. Child Development, 81(1),
306–325.
Hair, N. L., Hanson, J. L., Wolfe, B. L., & Pollak,
S. D. (2015). Association of child poverty, brain
development, and academic achievement. JAMA
Pediatrics, 169(9), 822–829.
Social Policy Research Centre. (2016). Poverty in
Australia 2018. Australian Council of Social Service.
Spencer, N. (2018). Poverty and child health.
CRC Press.
Tanton, R., Vidyattama, Y., Nepal, B., & McNamara,
J. (2011). Small area estimation using a reweighting
algorithm. Journal of the Royal Statistical Society:
Series A (Statistics in Society), 174(4), 931–951.

local area at
43
Appendix
Data by local government area
poverty (rounded
jobs (full-time or
owner-occupied
(outright or with
People living in
people living in
in families with
to nearest 100)
Older people
People living
a mortgage)7
Government
Poverty rate
People with
People with
(aged 65+)7
dependent
Number of
part-time)7
disability6
children7
Women6
housing
Local
area
Alpine 1,300 13% 53% 16% 49% 34% 60% 43%

Ararat 1,100 12% 56% 14% 46% 33% 60% 35%
Ballarat 12,400 14% 51% 12% 44% 30% 45% 39%
Banyule 12,600 11% 58% 17% 31% 24% 51% 49%
Bass Coast 4,900 17% 54% 17% 47% 26% 50% 56%
Baw Baw 6,000 14% 52% 15% 43% 27% 57% 47%
Bayside 7,500 9% 57% 21% 31% 26% 49% 42%
Benalla 1,700 14% 54% 17% 46% 27% 50% 42%
Boroondara 16,800 11% 55% 15% 25% 26% 48% 54%
Brimbank 34,100 20% 57% 12% 28% 20% 62% 75%
Buloke 700 15% 57% 15% 38% 30% 68% 52%
Campaspe 4,300 14% 54% 14% 42% 31% 58% 42%
Cardinia 12,300 14% 59% 10% 26% 29% 61% 61%
Casey 44,500 16% 58% 9% 25% 27% 69% 66%
Central Goldfields 1,900 17% 55% 16% 47% 21% 53% 52%
Colac-Otway 2,700 15% 53% 14% 46% 32% 58% 44%
Corangamite 1,900 14% 51% 15% 41% 34% 66% 41%
Darebin 20,000 15% 54% 18% 31% 21% 44% 58%
East Gippsland 5,900 16% 54% 16% 47% 27% 54% 52%
Frankston 18,000 15% 57% 13% 30% 23% 46% 57%
Gannawarra 1,200 14% 50% 17% 45% 30% 63% 53%
Glen Eira 15,900 12% 54% 18% 26% 26% 46% 55%
Glenelg 2,400 14% 54% 13% 43% 28% 55% 43%
Golden Plains 2,300 12% 56% 14% 38% 34% 80% 46%
Greater Bendigo 13,600 14% 52% 13% 43% 29% 47% 42%
44
poverty (rounded
jobs (full-time or
owner-occupied
(outright or with
People living in
people living in
in families with
to nearest 100)
Older people
People living
a mortgage)7
Government
Poverty rate
People with
People with
(aged 65+)7
dependent
Number of
part-time)7
disability6
children7
Women6
housing
Local
area
Greater Dandenong 30,000 21% 55% 12% 29% 18% 58% 79%
Greater Geelong 28,400 14% 53% 15% 46% 26% 46% 48%
Greater 7,800 15% 54% 13% 43% 27% 53% 43%
Shepparton
Hepburn 1,800 14% 56% 17% 46% 26% 60% 52%
Hindmarsh 500 10% 52% 14% 42% 31% 80% 32%
Hobsons Bay 10,400 13% 56% 17% 32% 21% 53% 53%
Horsham 2,400 14% 52% 13% 45% 32% 52% 40%
Hume 38,500 22% 58% 9% 27% 20% 66% 78%
Indigo 1,500 11% 52% 20% 45% 29% 65% 37%
Kingston 16,700 12% 56% 19% 31% 27% 56% 51%
Knox 17,200 12% 57% 14% 29% 28% 63% 52%
Latrobe 9,400 15% 53% 12% 42% 24% 47% 42%
Loddon 800 14% 54% 18% 48% 24% 79% 39%
Macedon Ranges 4,500 11% 55% 15% 34% 29% 62% 48%
Manningham 14,300 14% 57% 19% 28% 26% 66% 63%
Mansfield 800 11% 51% 24% 46% 30% 63% 31%
Maribyrnong 12,000 17% 53% 14% 31% 20% 40% 59%
Maroondah 12,000 12% 57% 16% 29% 26% 55% 50%
Melbourne 25,100 25% 48% 10% 21% 16% 25% 102%
Melton 20,300 17% 59% 7% 25% 26% 65% 68%
Mildura 7,400 16% 54% 13% 45% 27% 48% 48%
Mitchell 4,900 14% 55% 11% 36% 29% 59% 54%
Moira 3,600 15% 52% 17% 44% 29% 60% 46%
Monash 26,600 16% 55% 17% 26% 22% 55% 66%
Moonee Valley 12,800 12% 55% 19% 33% 22% 45% 52%
Moorabool 3,700 13% 56% 13% 36% 25% 58% 53%
Moreland 21,800 15% 52% 17% 28% 22% 47% 59%
Mornington 18,000 13% 58% 20% 34% 24% 54% 57%
Peninsula
Mount Alexander 2,200 14% 56% 18% 45% 24% 57% 41%
Moyne 1,800 13% 51% 17% 43% 30% 63% 44%
Murrindindi 1,700 15% 56% 16% 44% 30% 66% 59%
Nillumbik 4,700 8% 61% 13% 28% 38% 74% 46%
45
poverty (rounded
jobs (full-time or
owner-occupied
(outright or with
People living in
people living in
in families with
to nearest 100)
Older people
People living
a mortgage)7
Poverty rate
government
People with
People with
(aged 65+)7
dependent
Number of
part-time)7
disability6
children7
Women6
housing
Local
area
Northern 1,300 14% 53% 16% 46% 27% 58% 42%

Grampians
Port Phillip 10,000 12% 51% 20% 34% 25% 26% 53%
Pyrenees 900 15% 56% 14% 51% 24% 70% 50%
Queenscliffe 200 10% 61% 20% 40% 26% 47% 54%
South Gippsland 3,600 15% 53% 16% 44% 28% 62% 46%
Southern 1,600 12% 51% 14% 41% 32% 57% 34%
Grampians
Stonnington 10,800 12% 52% 20% 28% 24% 31% 59%
Strathbogie 1,100 13% 54% 18% 45% 26% 62% 40%
Surf Coast 2,700 10% 52% 15% 43% 32% 56% 46%
Swan Hill 2,400 14% 55% 13% 43% 31% 53% 45%
Towong 600 12% 56% 13% 43% 28% 57% 47%
Wangaratta 3,400 14% 52% 13% 43% 32% 54% 43%
Warrnambool 4,000 14% 53% 13% 43% 32% 43% 42%
Wellington 5,100 14% 55% 13% 44% 27% 56% 47%
West Wimmera 300 8% 54% 20% 55% 30% 76% 21%
Whitehorse 21,000 14% 55% 17% 27% 23% 54% 57%
Whittlesea 31,300 17% 57% 11% 26% 25% 63% 68%
Wodonga 4,700 14% 55% 12% 46% 28% 42% 41%
Wyndham 32,600 17% 58% 7% 23% 25% 62% 68%
Yarra 9,900 13% 53% 18% 37% 21% 25% 61%
Yarra Ranges 16,300 12% 58% 13% 29% 31% 68% 55%
Yarriambiack 600 11% 57% 16% 40% 34% 74% 33%

local area at
6
7
As a proportion of people living in poverty aged 15+
As a proportion of all people living in poverty
46
47
vcoss.org.au
@VCOSS /VCOSS

Every Suburb Every Town Poverty in Victoria VCOSS

Загружено:

Сведения о документе

Авторское право

Доступные форматы

Поделиться этим документом

Поделиться или встроить документ

Параметры публикации

Этот документ был вам полезен?

Это неприемлемый материал?

Авторское право:

Доступные форматы

Every Suburb Every Town Poverty in Victoria VCOSS

Загружено:

Авторское право:

Доступные форматы

Every suburb Every town

In January 2014, the Institute for Governance and

The Institute has a strong social mission committed to

NATSEM is one of three research centres within IGPA.

IGPA Director: Professor Mark Evans

We do this through policy development, public and Acknowledgement

Visit www.vcoss.org.au for more information.

> View data for every

Everybody intuitively knows people live in poverty in every suburb,

Even evidence-based poverty rates are reported as an

By using complex modelling techniques, the National

As an example, women form the majority of people

The big message here is that

People living in poverty may own their home, work full-

There is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ profile of poverty, and the

We hope this report makes a contribution to better-

> View data for every

Despite living in a wealthy state in a wealthy country, many Victorians

Accurate estimates of the demographic groups and

Calculating poverty Discrepancies in housing costs affect disposable incomes

Poverty estimates are not typically available at a small

For the online maps, the ABS standard geography

Poverty rates for people with a disability were not

Poverty rates for Aboriginal1 people were not available

In 2015-16, the overall poverty

However, poverty rates differed considerably between

Rates tend to be lower among those who were

They were lower among couples without dependent

Poverty rates were lower for those who owned their

Poverty rates for all groups considered in this report

2 Calculated from the 2015-16 Australian Bureau of Statistics Survey of Income

Demographic Victoria Greater Melbourne Rest of Victoria

Overall 13% 13% 15%

Male (over 15) 11% 11% 12%

Under 15 19% 17% 23%

Couple only 9% 10% 8%

Own home outright 9% 8% 11%

Disability (over 15) 15% 14% 16%

Aboriginal4 25% 21% 30%

Poverty rates varied by region. The SA2 with the lowest

The most common poverty rates for Victorian SA2s

Gender of Victorians in poverty

Gender composition of poverty in Melbou

> View data for every

Demographic Total Victoria Greater Melbourne Rest of Victoria

Women comprise a majority of

Gender of Victorians in poverty 14.0% Victorian poverty rates by gender

Gender composition of poverty in Melbourne and Regional Victoria

Gender and poverty at the

> View data for every

Children comprise more than one

Age composition of poverty in Melbourne and Regional Victoria

Greater 24.3% 16.3% 48.6% 10.8%

Regional 29.2% 12.4% 47.5% 10.8%

Regional 29.2% 12.4%

Age composition of poverty in Melbourne and Regional Victoria

> View data for every

Melbourne (9400) 9% 34% 51% 6%

Fawkner (2900) 30% 13% 44% 13%

Bulleen (1100) 23% 9% 40% 28%

South Yarra (West) (500) 5% 22% 49% 23%

Burnside Heights (900) 44% living in cross-section

Macedon (200) 17% 4% 56% 23%

Seymour Region (300) 10% 10% 50% 30%

> View data for every

> View data for every

2 Calculated from the 2015-16 Australian Bureau of Statistics Survey of Income

> View data for every

> View data for every

> View data for every

% > View data for every

> View data for every

> View data for every

> View data for every

> View data for every