Unemployment benefits are not enough to cover basic living costs, according to a new report from Anglicare Australia.
The national not-for-profit organisation highlighted the impact of inflation – and cost-of-living increases from energy suppliers that have pushed prices even higher.
Anglicare said housing costs rose by 22 per cent, food and groceries by 17 per cent, electricity by 17 per cent and transport by 11 per cent.
And while Anglicare said basic costs were rising ‘much faster’ than inflation, most Centrelink benefits were rising only in line with the CPI.
Anglicare chief executive Kasy Chambers said people on lower incomes were paying the highest price for the rising cost of living.
“Our research shows that it costs more to be poor,” she said.
“For decades, people on low incomes have been falling behind when it comes to the cost of basic goods. But in the last two years, the cost of basic goods like rent, food and utilities has skyrocketed.”
He added that this has led to people accumulating debt or going without basic necessities such as meals and medical appointments.
“These figures tell us that Australians who are struggling to make ends meet need meaningful intervention and real policy direction,” Ms Chambers said.
