The latest data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) reveals a growing trend: more Australian families are relying on both parents working to keep up with the rising costs of living and housing pressures. Since 2005, the proportion of couple families with both parents employed has surged from 60% to 73%, highlighting the increasing financial strain on households across the country.
This shift highlights a broader reliance on dual incomes as families adapt to higher living expenses and the unrelenting pressure of housing costs.In many households, where children under 14 are present, 35% of families have both parents working full-time, while another 35% have one parent working full-time and the other part-time. For these families, the two-income strategy is no longer a luxury—it’s become a necessity to maintain financial stability.
Despite this, the ABS data also uncovers concerning trends. Approximately 1.4 million families—around 19%—are classified as jobless. This includes retirees, those unable to work, and others outside the labour force, but 252,000 of these jobless families have dependants. The numbers point to a rising challenge, particularly among single-parent families, where about 24% of households with dependants have no working parent. These figures have ticked up from 23% in 2023, indicating growing pressures on some of Australia’s most vulnerable families.
For families without children, the picture is somewhat different. Around 1.2 million jobless families have no dependants, reflecting many retirees. But for those raising children, the stakes are high. There are 288,000 children under 14 growing up in households where no parent works, a sobering statistic that raises questions about how these families manage in a labour market increasingly reliant on dual incomes.
While couple families fare better overall, the pressures are still present. A small but notable 3% of couple families with children under 14 are jobless, impacting tens of thousands of households. And although the proportion is low, these families face significant hurdles in an economy where dual incomes are often the key to survival.
Single-parent families, especially those led by single mothers, face a different reality. Just 70% of single parents with dependants are employed, with 68% of single mothers and 75% of single fathers holding jobs. The majority of working single mothers are between 35 and 54 years old, suggesting older parents find more success in the job market, but younger single mothers may struggle to gain traction.
The ABS also highlights the changing nature of households in Australia. There are now 10.7 million households across the country, with 7.1 million consisting of just one family. Another 227,000 households are classified as multiple-family dwellings, an indicator of rising housing costs that push families to live together under one roof to reduce expenses.
For many South Asian and Indian-background readers, these trends may feel familiar. With a median reader age of 41 years, many are navigating the complexities of dual incomes, managing child-rearing responsibilities, and staying afloat in an economy where two incomes are increasingly necessary. Younger readers might see these numbers as a reflection of the challenges their future families could face as Australia’s economy continues to evolve.
What’s clear from the data is that Australian families are under growing pressure. The rising cost of living, coupled with housing affordability issues, means that families with children, particularly those with a single parent, are finding it harder to keep up. While dual incomes have become the norm for many, jobless families with dependants point to a vulnerable section of the population that is being left behind.
As Australia’s family structures continue to evolve, the need for targeted policies and support systems becomes ever more urgent. From affordable childcare to housing affordability and better work opportunities for single parents, these figures demand action. Policymakers must respond to ensure that families—whether dual-income or jobless—can navigate the complexities of the modern economy.
With the next few years likely to see increasing economic challenges, the question remains: how will these families continue to cope, and will Australia provide the support they need to thrive?
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