This report argues that thousands of low income Australians are one step closer to financial inclusion and less likely to borrow from fringe lenders after they’ve received a StepUP Loan. Based on survey data, the report shows 73.6 per cent of respondents experienced a positive change in economic and social outcomes after receiving a loan...

Disability support has historically been organised and financially managed through government and service provider agencies (agency funding). Increasingly it is offered through individualised, person - centred packages of support (individual or self directed funding), which allow people to manage how their own funds are spent. Opportunities for self directed disability support (SDDS) – in both...

This paper analyses the circumstances that led to people being disconnected from utilities, the impacts of disconnection, and how people manage to finance reconnection. It is based on 171 surveys and four interviews with consumers disconnected in the second half of 2012. Findings are compared with Cut Off survey results from 2004 and 2008, noting...

Australian Social Trends (AST) is an Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) flagship publication presenting a picture of Australian society through a selection of articles. The articles aim to address current and on-going social concerns, and focus on population groups of interest and changes over time. Each tells a story and provides a sense of the...

The National Broadband Network will potentially provide the opportunity for all Australians to access the same level of information and online services regardless of their location, age and level of mobility. But this opportunity can only be grasped by those who have the technical skills needed to use computers and the internet. This research shows...