Our research looks at the interaction between employment, social security, and taxes and transfers.

We’re working to learn how policies help or hinder people’s economic security. This research is used to inform our advocacy and program development and delivery.

Barista preparing a drink

Income

For most Australians of working age, the main source of income is wages. However, low wage growth and increasingly insecure work means that people living on low or fluctuating incomes face extra risks and tough choices.

Low incomes over a working life can put people, especially women, at great risk of poverty later in life. They may be unable to afford decent housing, transport or health services.

Our income research is interested in how households make ends meet and what policies and programs are needed to help them build economic security.

Despite sustained economic growth in Australia, inequality persists and the gap between the rich and the poor is widening.

The decline in entry-level and semi-skilled jobs, coupled with increased restrictions on government income support, has compromised some people's ability to earn a stable income. It can also limit their access to necessities such as housing, transport, care services, health services and education.

Services such as disability or aged care are increasingly complex and require specific knowledge and skills to navigate.

Our financial capabilities research examines what is needed to help people to understand their entitlements and gain economic security. We work with others to develop products and programs, while advocating for change.

Find all recent publications on Income (2000–present)

Visit the BSL library for our earlier research on Income (pre 2000)

Social security

Social security enhances wellbeing, reduces vulnerability to 'shocks' and enables people to participate fully in social, economic, political and cultural life.

Our research looks at the interaction between employment, income support, and taxes and transfers.

We examine the impacts of current policies and consider alternatives such as Universal Basic Income to inform advocacy for an equitable social security system. This work is central to achieving economic security for all.

Close up of Monopoly board showing Chance

Find all recent publications on Social security (2000–present)

Visit the BSL library for our earlier research on Social security (pre 2000)

Phillips, B & Narayanan, V 2020, Financial stress and social security settings in Australia , ANU Centre for Social Research and Methods, Australian National University, Canberra.

Yanotti, M, Banks, M, de Silva, A, Anantharama, N, Whiteford, P, Bowman, D & Csereklyei, Z 2021, The utility of new data in understanding housing insecurity , AHURI final report no. 351, Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute Limited, Melbourne. DOI:10.18408/ahuri5321801.

Selected publications

By Ursula Harrison and Dina Bowman 2024

How has becoming and being a parent affected the economic security and financial wellbeing of participants in our Life Chances longitudinal study?

Read report
By Dina Bowman, Emily Porter and Margaret Kabare. 2024

How has the cost-of-living crisis intersected with long-term drivers of financial stress?

Read report
By Miranda Stewart, Emily Porter, Dina Bowman and Emily Millane 2023

How can the Family Tax Benefit (FTB) better meet the needs of today’s families?

Read report
By Margaret Kabare and Dina Bowman 2023

Adopting a gender lens helps to identify barriers affecting women and create opportunities to improve women’s financial wellbeing in regional towns.

Read report
By David Bryant, Emily Porter, Ismo Rama and Damian Sullivan 2022

Understanding which households experience energy stress is important for policy development in the context of rising energy prices and the move to decarbonise the economy.

Read report

Selected projects

Busy mother 2023 11 27 04 52 40 utc

How well are Australia’s current family assistance payments supporting low-income parents to meet the needs of their children and achieve economic security?

Learn more
Two young cafe owners looking at notebook together 2023 11 27 05 09 02 utc SMALL

What are the drivers and impacts of financial stress for low-income people and what are the policy implications?

Learn more
Upset businessman sitting hopelessly on stairs of 2023 11 27 05 19 27 utc SMALL

How do people on lower incomes in regional, peri-urban and urban locations experience and respond to financial challenges?

Learn more
Group of women socialize teamwork happiness concep 2023 11 27 04 51 54 utc SMALL

The SEED Project was developed and implemented in Seymour, a small regional town in Victoria. The SEED model brings together research, policy, and practice to better understand the issues that shape women’s financial wellbeing and respond to them at an individual, local, state and national level.

Learn more
Stressed and frustrated asian business woman 2023 11 27 05 14 25 utc SMALL2

Understanding patterns of financial wellbeing is a key to protecting Australians against financial distress in times of crisis.

Learn more
Cheerful family jumping on trampoline in back yard 2023 11 27 04 52 45 utc small

To tackle inequality we need to understand how issues like payment conditions and tax policies are connected and can trap single mothers in poverty.

Learn more
Hands holding fresh grain harvest 2023 11 27 04 50 21 utc SMALL

An ongoing project exploring how income support could be made adequate and fair the adequacy and targeting of income support

Learn more
Cropped view of businessman zooming digital graphs 2023 11 27 04 53 40 utc small

How common are late receipt of Newstart Allowance and volatile payment amounts?

Learn more
Hes a chip off the old block shot of a family sta 2023 11 27 05 27 14 utc Small

How can ‘real-time’ data help us to understand the financial dimension of housing insecurity

Learn more
Young adult friends reaching to help each other cr 2023 11 27 05 16 57 utc small

Stepping Stones offers training, mentoring and support to help women from refugee and migrant backgrounds expand their business skills and increase their participation in business and the community.

Learn more

Looking for services related to income and social security?

Hand holding dollar notes

Go to the Money Smart website to find services that can help you.

Learn more
Given the Chance graduate at work in recycling plant

Given the Chance is one of our longest running and most effective employment support programs.

Learn more
Smiling young man participating in group learning activity

Our Youth Transitions Support Pilot Program helps young refugees participate in the community through work, education and sport.

Learn more
Smiling young woman participating in group learning activity

Creating Futures for Youth empowers young people to pursue their career goals and build their capacity to work or undertake further learning.

Learn more
Saver plus logo new

Join Australia’s award winning free financial education and matched savings program and receive up to $500 for you or your children’s education.

Learn more
MoneyMinded textbook on desk

We offer community workers training in MoneyMinded, Australia’s largest adult financial education program.

Learn more
NDIS recipient at his job

Our approach to working with people with disability focuses on building a sense of wellbeing and autonomy. We recognise the importance of family, friends, carers and community.

Learn more