The research also showed that one million people in NSW are living in poverty, and while Western Sydney continues going backwards, Eastern Sydney has improved, meaning “inequality across the city is deepening”.
Commissioned by peak social services body NCOSS (NSW Council of Social Service ), the preliminary findings from the National Centre for Social and Economic Modelling (NATSEM) at the University of Canberra, draw on 2021 census data to reveal the dire state of poverty across NSW.
NCOSS CEO Joanna Quilty said the initial findings provided another evidence point that your postcode could dictate the quality of your life in this city, and that something needed to be done.
“We have known for many years that people in Western Sydney are doing it tough, but this data shines a light on just how tough, and the fact it’s getting worse,” Ms Quilty said.
“We also know increased cost of living pressures and relentless rate and rental hikes over the past 18 months, have compounded these issues – so the reality is likely far worse today than the data shows.”
There are also almost 50,000 more older people are living in poverty in NSW than in 2016, an increase of 43 per cent statewide.
“It is incumbent on the newly elected NSW Premier Chris Minns and his Ministers to address these issues by building social housing, investing in essential social infrastructure, and prioritising policies that help those doing it tough,” Ms Quilty said.
NCOSS will closely examine the final report when it is completed, and then release a set of recommendations to the NSW Government to address thee findings.
