Media alert: UNSW expert comment on Economic Inclusion Advisory Committee 2025 report to government

Dr Yuvisthi Naidoo from UNSW's Social Policy Research Centre is available to speak about the research informing understanding poverty, material deprivation and cost of living; along with the new budget standards which informed the recommendations set out by the Economic Inclusion Advisory Committee’s assessment of the adequacy of income support payments in the lead up to the Federal budget on March 25.

The EIAC advises the Federal Government on ways to enhance economic inclusion and reduce disadvantage. 
 
Its 2025 report shows many government payment levels remain below the poverty line:
🔗 https://lnkd.in/dgAZkqzi
 
Part of the SPRC research underpinning the report assessed levels of income support payments against “budget standards” says Yuvisthi Naidoo:
🔗 https://lnkd.in/gJ4Nbwmq

These budget standards reflect the amount of money a family needs to purchase the goods and services required to enjoy an acceptable and healthy standard of living.
 
Researchers found single private renters in capital cities would need an increase of nearly 45% in total payments to cover their costs.
 
Single public renters in Fitzroy Crossing, a very remote town in Western Australia, would need an increase in support of nearly 67% to cover the extra costs of food and transport.

The following quote can be attributed to Dr Naidoo.

"The new budget standard estimates for people on low incomes provide an up-to-date and nuanced understanding of the ways in which Australian families cannot meet the costs of living in Australia today.

People earning a minimum wage and living on JobSeeker fall far below the minimal level of expenditure to satisfy basic needs.

It’s the first time, budgets were developed for a remote community (Fitzroy Crossing) and shows that core living costs are in excess of 30% for unemployed people driven by increased food prices and transport costs.

These findings are a stark reminder that incomes need to be urgently lifted to ensure an acceptable and healthy standard of living for all.”