Reports

This Cost of Living Update highlights problems of rental affordability in South Australia.

Drawing on data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics and the South Australian government, the report shows that the increasing cost of renting has coincided with a decline in the provision of public housing and concludes that greater investment in public housing will boost supply and help all renters.

The South Australian state government provides concessions (discounts and subsidies) for people living on very low incomes and struggling with affordability of essential services.  However, this SACOSS report examines a range of state government concessions and a confusing patchwork in need of serious reform. There are inconsistencies in eligibility across the system, and some concessions create poverty premiums or have barriers to accessing support. The report makes 3 overarching recommendations for system reform, and a number of proposals for changes to specific concessions.

This report provides results of a survey conducted by SACOSS and Mint Research to understand how people living in rental properties on low incomes can access incentives under the Retailer Energy Productivity Scheme to improve the thermal comfort of their homes. The survey also sought to understand the ability of people to respond to time of use tariffs introduced in SA from 1 July 2021.

Access to energy programs for low income households

The Falling through the gaps report casts a light on the issue of access to safe, secure and reliable drinking water services in regional and remote South Australia. It also provides practical steps that can help bring real change, to ensure that communities in these areas can have this fundamental need met.