Alarming new statistics show urgent action needed to end child poverty in Western Australia

Thousands more WA children are at risk of poverty according to a new report released today.

Commissioner for Children and Young People Jacqueline McGowan-Jones said Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre’s latest report ‘Child Poverty in Australia 2025: The current and future impacts of rising rates of financial deprivation on child wellbeing’, released in conjunction with the Valuing Children Initiative, paints a deeply concerning picture of children’s financial hardship across the nation. 

“The rise in child poverty is not just a statistic, it represents real families struggling to make ends meet and has become a national emergency."

The report shows almost a quarter of a million children have sunk into poverty in just four years, a frightening statistic that highlights the grim reality of life for many WA families.

The findings reveal more children are growing up without access to stable housing, nutritious food, and essential services – highlighting the urgent need for coordinated action from government, community organisations, and the private sector. 

 “So many families are struggling right now. We have children going to school with empty tummies, they have no food on the table at home, some are sleeping in cars and can’t attend school – it’s heartbreaking."

Key findings:

∙ Child poverty has increased by 236,350 children over four years – a 33 per cent increase.

∙ Single-parent households are most affected, with 36.6 per cent living in poverty.

∙ This trend confirms the risk of surpassing 1 million children in poverty this year.

The Commissioner said the report should serve as a wake-up call for all sectors of society and urged policymakers and stakeholders to come together to develop long-term, evidence-based solutions that address the root causes of disadvantage. 

 “Every child in Western Australia deserves the opportunity to grow up safe, healthy, and with hope for the future."