A recent report has highlighted the shortcomings in Australia’s Family Tax Benefit system, indicating insufficient support for low-income families, raising concerns about lasting barriers to women’s economic security.

These payments are a means of survival for vulnerable families, keeping parents and children above the poverty line. 

Research from The University of Melbourne and the Brotherhood of St Laurence finds frequent pauses in the indexation of the payment, coupled with complex rules and compliance arrangements, are putting families at risk of debt and increased financial hardship.

Image: Image: Pexels/ Daria Obymah

Produced By: Mary-Kate Hannagan

Featured In Story: Dr Emily Porter, Sociologist and Senior Research Fellow at the Brotherhood of St Laurence

First aired on The Wire, Monday 11 December 2023