This report calls for a coordinated response to address systemic factors that have created and continue to perpetuate financial hardship and poor financial wellbeing among Australians.

This paper explores the impacts of the COVID-19 crisis and resulting policy responses on financial wellbeing.

In recent years, the Victorian Ombudsman has heard concerns from ratepayers, financial counsellors and community lawyers about the way local councils treat people who cannot afford their council rates. This investigation focused on council hardship relief for homeowners (ratepayers who cannot pay rates on their primary residence).

This fact sheet outlines the ways in which Australian young people with disability (aged 15 to 24 years) experience disadvantage in many areas of their lives.

This research finds that inadequate social security payments play a significant role in shaping poverty and financial stress trends in Australia. It also finds that it is possible to address these challenges by increasing the overall social security budget.