Research & Policy Projects

Together with ACOSS and funded by Energy Consumers Australia, the Brotherhood commissioned research about supporting low-income households through the transition to clean energy.

This project aims to lower electricity network costs – which account for about 45 per cent of the average Australian power bill – by representing the interests of consumers in the price-setting process.

How can public and private sector organisations strategically leverage their procurement expenditure to create employment opportunities for marginalised jobseekers while also achieving economic and environmental objectives?

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

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

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

This national longitudinal study examines the outcomes for over 600 children and families participating in the Home Interaction Program for Parents and Youngsters (HIPPY) in 2016, 2017 and 2018.

The adequacy and targeting of income support – and the impact of conditions imposed on people who receive it – are key topics in working for an Australia free of poverty.

This project engages with the Victorian implementation of LAC, a model known around the world for supporting people with disability to access funded and unfunded support and participate in their communities.

In partnership with La Trobe University, the Brotherhood conducted research into local employment issues for refugees in the City of Hume.

Developing Independence is a certificate course to help residents of youth foyers to develop their personal vision and gain confidence to re-engage with learning, employment and community life.

This study explored how low and moderate income Australian households are coping with financial uncertainty, especially with variations in wages or Centrelink payments from one week to the next.

This research examined the role of private registered training organisations in delivering training to young people who have left school early.

The Brotherhood of St Laurence worked with Monash Sustainability Institute and other project partners to assess the effectiveness of the Home Energy Efficiency Upgrade Program (HEEUP).

The development of three new education first ‘Youth Foyers’ in Victoria includes a research project to evaluate this integrated support to young people who are unable to live at home and are at risk of homelessness.

Australia faces a pressing need for quality flexible learning programs to cater for the increasing number of young people who are disengaging from schooling at an early age.

Information technology provides ever-expanding opportunities to communicate, gather information, conduct personal business, access service, and enjoy entertainment and hobbies.

The Brotherhood advocates for energy efficiency policy and program development, which assists low income households.

The Brotherhood of St Laurence is working to ensure energy efficient target schemes, which obligate energy retailers to reduce emissions, are fair and equitable.

The Brotherhood has joined the Australian Industry Group, CHOICE and the Energy Efficiency Council to seek decisive reforms to fix the electricity system and ease the burden on households and businesses.

‘Knowhow’ is the term used in this study to refer to the knowledge and skills needed to engage successfully in the complex social and economic environment of the 21st century.

The Brotherhood of St Laurence contributed to two research projects designed to support improved care for older people with dementia and their carers.

The Brotherhood has collaborated with the Melbourne Business School, through its Asia Pacific Social Impact Leadership Centre, in a study of employer engagement initiatives involving disadvantaged jobseekers.

This study explored the relationship between poverty and children’s chronic stress, and the mediating role of parenting and family environments.

The first stage of this research developed a framework for identifying capabilities and enhancing social inclusion of older Australians.

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.

This study examines mature aged people's lived experience, pathways and outcomes of involuntary non-participation or underparticipation in paid work.

The Brotherhood has developed a community education and support project for young people based at the High Street Centre in Frankston.

Life Chances is a unique longitudinal study that examines how family income, social class, ethnicity and gender affect the lives of individuals.