NCOSS Cost of Living in NSW Survey

The challenge  

The COVID-19 pandemic, related restrictions and policy responses, combined with natural disasters and global supply chain disruptions have exacerbated the cost-of-living pressures already being experienced by NSW households. These events have also highlighted some of the pre-existing weaknesses within our economic, social and health infrastructure. As the peak body of NSW’s social and community sector, it is essential for NCOSS to understand the varied impacts of these trends and to develop a strong evidence base from which to advocate for appropriate responses that will help NSW communities to recover and build back more equitably.  

NCOSS engaged IPPG to deliver their annual Cost of Living in NSW report with a special emphasis on the impacts of COVID-19, recent natural disaster and supply chain disruptions on the cost of living for people living below the poverty line and in low income households in NSW.  

What we did  

The research, undertaken by IPPG between March and April of 2022, employed a mixed methods approach comprising: 

1. A 15-minute online survey that gathered responses from 1,025 participants. The questions included in the survey sought information on key topics such as housing, income, employment and financial hardship, as well as exploring additional areas of interest, such as potential changes to circumstances experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic and natural disasters.   

2. Semi-structured focus groups and interviews with 22 participants. The questions discussed in the interviews and focus groups focused on perceptions and experiences associated with the cost-of-living themes explored through the survey, as well as new issues arising during the survey (such as the impacts of interest rate rises).   

Additionally, IPPG delivered a half day qualitative data analysis training workshop to support NCOSS in building internal capacity in qualitative research.   

Outcome  

The final report produced by IPPG summarises the key findings from the research with a particular focus on NSW residents’ experiences across issues such as housing, employment, income and financial hardship. The report also included analysis by key demographic sub-groups as well as by location down to Statistical Area Level 4 (SA4) sub-regions of NSW. 

The Cost of Living in NSW annual report was published in August 2022 and has been used to inform advocacy and shape policy that will ease the pressure for NSW residents living below the poverty line or in low income households.