“Over time, persistent shortfall has eroded financial resilience, is forcing harmful trade-offs and deepening reliance on coping strategies that carry further costs.
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“The phrase ‘cost of living’ has become commonplace, but its meaning deserves reflection. This annual report measures the cost of essential goods and services required for a basic standard of living.”
The report states that without decisive action, more families will be pushed into hardship, support services will remain overwhelmed, and the cycle of disadvantage will deepen.
“The modelling accounts for only minimal replacement of essentials like clothing and cookware. It does not allow for savings or a financial buffer to cover crises, unexpected costs or discretionary spending. It represents the cost of survival,” Giolotto said.
“It is unacceptable that so many in our community now find every aspect of life – housing, energy, food, and transport – beyond reach. The sheer cost of survival is driving families into debt and homelessness.”
The report states that without decisive action, more families will be pushed into hardship, support services will remain overwhelmed, and the cycle of disadvantage will deepen.
Giolotto called on both the state and federal governments to implement targeted investment
and structural reform,
“As we stare down the barrel of another potential inflation storm in 2026, the community services sector will be looking to the State Government to make crucial budgetary decisions that directly help those doing it toughest. It is no longer urgent. It is paramount to survival.”
The WACOSS report made 11 recommendations to ease the burden on those doing it tough, including improved access to affordable rentals for low-income earners, increasing the rate of Jobseeker, Youth Allowance and associated payments so that recipients can cover the costs of basics, and reforms to tax treatment of housing to curb tax breaks for investors.
The report states that the modelling for household expenditure has been calculated using publicly available sources that, wherever possible, reflect the average price and usage of products and services by Perth residents.
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