Table 1.
Composition of households and assumptions used to calculate welfare-dependent household income.
| Household Structure | Two Adults, Older Female, Three Children (Household A) | Adult Male and Female, Two Children (Household B) | Adult Female, Two Children (Household C) | Older, Retired Couple (Household D) | Single Adult Male (Household E) | Older Single Female (Household F) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median households | Female (31–50 y) Male (31–50 y) Older female (70+ y) Boy (14 y) Girl (8 y) Boy (4 y) |
Female (31–50 y) Male (31–50 y) Boy (14 y) Girl (8 y) |
Female (31–50 y) Boy (14 y) Girl (8 y) |
Older female (70+ y) Older male (70+ y) |
Male (31–50 y) | Older female, (70+ y) |
| Welfare-dependent households | Female (31–50 y) Male (31–50 y) Older female (70+ y) Boy (14–18 y *) Child (4–8 y *) Child (4–8 y *) |
Female (31–50 y) Male (31–50 y) Boy (14–18 y *) Child (4–8 y *) |
Female (31–50 y) Boy (14–18 y *) Child (4–8 y *) |
Older female (70+ y) Older male (70+ y) |
Male (31–50 y) | Older female, (70+ y) |
| Assumptions used to calculate welfare-dependent income | • Adult male is unemployed and looking for work • Adult female is a stay-at-home parent • Older female receives full age pension (maximum rate) • The children attend school/kindy • None of the family are disabled • No savings or investments • The family is living in public housing |
• Both adults are unemployed and looking for work • Both children attend school • None of the family are disabled • No savings or investments • Private rent at AUD 379/week |
• Adult female is unemployed and looking for work • No child support received • Both children attend school • None of the family are disabled • No savings or investments • Private rent at AUD 379/week |
• Neither are in paid employment • Both receive the full age pension (maximum rate) • Neither are disabled or frail-aged • The couple has no dependent children • Private rent at AUD 379/week |
• Is unemployed and looking for work • Is not disabled • No dependent children • No savings or investments • Is renting a room in 3-bedroom house at AUD 125/week (AUD 376/3) |
• Not in paid employment • Receives full age pension (maximum rate) • Not disabled or frail-aged • Has no dependent children • Private rent at AUD 379/week |
* Adjusted for sample size in Australian Health Survey National Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey (AHS NNPAS) 2011-13 (29). y = years.