This report looks behind the headline unemployment statistics to reveal who is affected, why it’s no easy matter for most unemployed people to secure a job, and the disturbing growth in long-term unemployment. It also look at the chances people on unemployment payments have of getting a job, and the help they receive from jobactive...

This report is the first in a new five year partnership between the Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS) and the University of New South Wales (UNSW) to reduce poverty and inequality in Australia.

The report was prepared before the coronavirus outbreak and the subsequent announcement of a six-month payment that effectively doubles the rate of the JobSeeker Allowance (Newstart) and Youth Allowance. Nonetheless, the report provides important insights that could be applied by government to effectively reduce long-term unemployment in the lead up to Australia's recovery from the...

Tax reform can no longer be avoided. Tax reform is essential to help resolve the serious Budget pressures facing federal and state governments which threaten essential benefits and services. We need it to underpin growth - in investment, living standards and jobs - at a time of major structural and technological change in Australia and...

While the 2015-16 Budget delivered welcome new investment in early childhood education and care and charted a fairer path on pension reform, the combined effect of the two budgets is to leave people on low incomes to once again bear the burden of Budget restraint.