09 Oct Child Poverty Crisis Hits One in Three Australian Kids in Single-Parent Families
Australian children are being robbed of their childhood, according to Barnardos Australia, as new research reveals that more than one in three children in single-parent families are living in poverty.
The latest Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) Survey shows that 36.2% of children in single-parent families are below the poverty line—the highest rate recorded since the survey began in 2001.
Rising Costs Leave Families Struggling
Research also found that 30% of children in single-parent families have lived in poverty for more than 20 years, with the figure peaking in 2022. Children in single-parent households are almost three times more likely to experience poverty than those in two-parent families.
“Families are being squeezed by housing costs, leaving children unable to afford basic necessities,” said Michaela Bestwick, Family Connect and Support team leader at Barnardos.
“When more than one in three children in single-parent families can’t cover essentials after rent, it’s clear we’re facing a national housing and child poverty emergency.”
The Long-Term Impact on Kids
The report indicates that childcare costs for single-parent families have increased by 76% since 2006, resulting in many children being denied access to early learning opportunities.
“Without affordable childcare, we can’t break cycles of disadvantage,” Ms Bestwick said.
“Children are being removed from families not because of neglect, but because parents cannot provide basic needs. They miss early learning, change schools frequently, or struggle to concentrate in class because they’re hungry. This is a failure at the most critical stage of their development.”
Calls for Urgent Action
Barnardos is calling for urgent government action to support families and ensure all children have the opportunity to thrive.
“Every day of disadvantage in a child’s life can have lasting consequences. We must act now,” Ms Bestwick said.
