1 in 4 Australians are struggling to pay for essential services such as energy, groceries and insurance, adding to existing rent and mortgage stress
New research report explores the global response to COVID-19, with nationwide survey of 1114 Australians showing people are drawing on limited resources just to make ends meet.
As COVID-19 exposes the frailties within systems and across the community, Consumer Policy Research Centre (CPRC)’s new research initiative Consumers and COVID-19: from crisis to recovery uncovers the challenges that consumers are facing and presents the building blocks for those attempting to support consumers over the coming 12 months and beyond.
“We asked consumers directly how they’re faring through this crisis. 12 million Australians reported concern about their financial wellbeing in May. People are most concerned about housing costs. And we’re seeing people express concern about what happens when support measures are removed.” said CPRC CEO, Lauren Solomon.
“It is startling to see 1 in 5 Australians needing to take action to manage rent or mortgage repayments - either seeking better deals from mortgage providers, payment assistance, reducing repayments or simply missing payments entirely.”
With already high levels of household debt across the Australian community pre-COVID, the report finds people are drawing down on finite resources to manage household expenses.
“More than a quarter of Australians dipped into savings in May to manage costs. People have been cancelling ongoing services and subscriptions and using credit or buy-now-pay-later to manage household expenses”. said Lauren “We’re also seeing higher numbers of renters and younger Australians applying for early access to super relative to the general population.”
“This crisis has dealt a sudden blow to household incomes and financial security. It has amplified existing vulnerabilities and pushed people into financial distress,” said CPRC Research and Policy Director, Emma O’Neill.
“What we know is that aggregate numbers don’t tell the full story. Casual workers, young people and renters appear to be faring much worse than the general population. We must ensure we design and deliver support measures to those who need them most.” Said Emma. “That means ensuring we’re listening and responding to actual experiences on the ground.”
CPRC’s report reflects on historical lessons, exploring local and global interventions to protect consumers through the crisis. The report also presents building blocks for policymakers and businesses supporting consumers on an uncertain path towards recovery, where policy choices made now will have long-term consequences.
“Now is not the time to be throwing vital protections out the window. What we need is a modern consumer protection framework delivered alongside stimulus measures to industry to ensure that consumers and the community derive maximum benefit.”
“Consumers are central to economic recovery. Household expenditure makes up over half of Australia’s GDP.” said Lauren. “The experience and actions of consumers will ultimately determine the trajectory of our economic and social recovery over the coming months and years. Fair treatment, safety and inclusion for all Australians must be at the heart of the recovery mission.”
To download Consumers and COVID-19: from crisis to recovery go to: [link]
Consumers and COVID-19 Monthly Briefings will be available at www.cprc.org.au.
Today’s report release will be followed by monthly updates on the Australian consumer experience of COVID-19 through to November 2020. Through rolling monthly quantitative surveys, CPRC is collecting and analysing the experiences, behaviours, expectations and challenges of Australians from May to October.
Key Survey Findings – May 2020
The majority of Australian reported significant levels of concern in relation to their financial wellbeing as a result of COVID-19.
The majority (60%) of Australians are concerned about the impact of COVID-19 on their financial wellbeing, with one in five stating they are ‘very’ concerned.
Groups who were most concerned (either very/somewhat) include those whose income was directly impacted as a result of COVID-19[1] and casual workers.
Metro respondents are more worried (somewhat/very concerned) about their financial wellbeing (64%) than regional (50%).
More than 1 in 5 consumers reported concerns about their ability to pay for essential expenses such as
Consumers have been most concerned (somewhat/very concerned) about their ability to pay rent (37%), mortgages (27%), energy bills (27%), followed by insurance (25%), credit/outstanding debt (22%), groceries (25%), and telco (20%).
Groups who consistently expressed greater levels of concern in relation to their ability to pay for household expenses were those whose income was directly impact by COVID-19, casual workers and, renters and low/non internet users.
Cost pressures and reduced incomes are resulting in difficult and distressing trade-offs.
[1] Consumers whose main income source has changed since COVID began late March (from full-time, part-time, casual, self-employed or investment income) to either JobKeeper, JobSeeker, or other government income support, or now have no income.
