Anglicare Australia has released the Cost of Living Index, an analysis which compares the incomes against essential living costs such as rent, food, and transport. This edition covers households on income support payments.
The 2026 Cost of Living Index finds that:
– A single person on JobSeeker falls behind by $251 a week after paying for rent, food and transport
– A single parent on Parenting Payment falls behind by $174 a week
– A couple with two children on JobSeeker falls behind by $428 a week.