The real living conditions of Australians: life satisfaction and invisible pressure under high welfare

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### 1. Survival portrait of Australian natives
According to the latest data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the median annual income of local residents is AUD165,000, but there are significant regional differences. The income of residents in metropolitan areas such as Sydney and Melbourne is about 38% higher than that in remote areas, while the cost of living is more than doubled. It is worth noting that the unemployment rate of young people aged 15-24 has long remained at around 8.5%, reflecting the structural dilemma of "unemployment after graduation".

### 2. The double-edged sword effect of the social welfare system
**Medicare** covers basic medical services, but dental and specialist treatments require additional insurance. The Family Tax Benefit allows dual-income families to receive a monthly subsidy of $200-600, but childcare costs still account for 25% of family income. Although the pension system guarantees retirement life, the age of receipt has been gradually delayed to 67 years old.

Core issues related to life as an Indigenous Australian

#### 1. Can Australians really live "without working"?
- JobSeeker is about $320 per week, which is only enough to pay the 60% for a single person's rent
- Job seekers are required to complete 20 job applications per month and receive regular home visits and reviews
- Temporary workers account for 25%, and the prevalence of the gig economy has led to unstable income

#### 2. How does the housing crisis affect local residents?
- The down payment savings period has been extended from 5 years in 2010 to 9 years currently
- Sydney's median house price reached $1.4 million, and the proportion of rent to income exceeded the 35% warning line
- The government's "First Home Buyer Guarantee Scheme" only covers 10,000 places per year

#### 3. The actual operation mode of the education system
- Public schools implement a strict school district system, and the housing price premium for high-quality school districts is as high as 40%
- Delayed payment of tuition fees for local university students through the HECS loan system
- The subsidy rate for vocational education (TAFE) courses has been reduced from 85% to 50%

### 3. Intergenerational changes in lifestyle
**Millennials** show a trend of "late maturation": the average age of first marriage is 31.5 years old, and the age of first childbirth is 30.8 years old. Consumption habits have shifted to the experience economy, and the proportion of catering expenditure has risen to 17%. Digital survival brings new anxiety: 43% office workers are troubled by "online overtime".

### 4. Invisible pressure test
1. **Climate adaptation costs**: Air conditioning electricity costs account for 12% of household expenditure, and extreme weather insurance premiums increase by 8% annually
2. **Mental health crisis**: Depression rate among 18-34 year olds reaches 25%, male suicide rate remains high
3. **Multicultural impact**: Non-English speaking population accounts for 29%, and community integration is declining

From the above analysis, it can be seen that Australians are undergoing a profound adjustment in the post-epidemic era. Although the high welfare system guarantees basic survival, structural contradictions in areas such as housing, education, and employment are becoming increasingly prominent. It is recommended that new immigrants focus on:

- Choose to settle in less developed areas to obtain policy benefits
- Obtain local professional qualifications to enhance employment competitiveness
- Establish diversified income channels to cope with economic fluctuations

Thank you for your reading. I hope this article can help you understandLiving conditions of Australian nativesIf you need the latest policy interpretations, please continue to pay attention to our special updates.

> Data source: ABS 2023 Social Survey Report/Reserve Bank of Australia Housing Affordability Study/Department of Social Services Welfare White Paper