Left out and missing out: voices from the margins

In recent years, Australia has enjoyed significant economic growth, with rates above the OECD average (OECD, 2007). Not all Australians however have shared in this increasing prosperity. There is no agreed definition of disadvantage and/or poverty in Australia, however poverty lines are used internationally to define and measure disadvantage. Internationally, the poverty line is often set at 50% of the median disposable household income with anyone below this line being deemed as living in poverty. In 2004, 9.9% of Australians, including 365,000 children, lived below this line. The research snapshot sheds light on the day to day experiences of Australians in need.