Sole parents, income support and family wellbeing

Abstract

The characteristics of the sole parent population in Australia is examined using the 1996 Census Household Sample File. Next the characteristics of sole parents who received income support through the Sole Parent Pension (SPP) program are analysed using the FaCS Longitudinal Data Sample (LDS). Both the characteristics of the ‘inflow’ into SPP are considered, along with the dynamic aspects of SPP participation. In the final section of the paper ABS Household Expenditure Survey data are analysed to determine whether public income support has maintained the standard of living of sole parent families over recent decades. Show more