A Fair Go For All Australians: International Comparisons, 2007

By Australian Council of Social Service on behalf of Australia Fair

This report shows that the number of Australians living in poverty has increased over the past 10 years.

Using an international poverty line of 50 per cent of median income, the numbers increased from 7.6 per cent to 9.9 per cent of the population between 1994 and 2004, or nearly two million Australians. This measure is used extensively in OECD countries. Using the same poverty line used in the UK and Ireland, 60 per cent of median income, poverty has risen from 17.1 per cent of the population in 1994 to 19.8 per cent, or 3.8 million Australians, in 2004.

The report looks at how Australia compares with other OECD nations. The report examines 10 areas such as health, education, housing and work, which were identified by the Australian public as essential to ensure a fair go for all Australians. The report compares Australia's economic performance with that of other OECD nations, outlines the latest research on the number of Australians living below poverty lines and identifies where Australia is falling behind other nations in realising a fair go for all its people.