THE rising cost of living is making it difficult for Warrnambool residents on a median wage.
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Bethany south-west manager Phil Conrick said the high cost of rent was one of the factors making it tough for some people to live comfortably on a median wage of $42,000.
“We’ve known for some time that there are a number of different communities in the south-west, including Warrnambool, that are highly disadvantaged,” Mr Conrick said.
“We are seeing more people who are actually working than we used to see years ago, but they’re still struggling.”
Mr Conrick said people with a low income struggled to save money to cover unexpected expenses.
“Even something as basic as the washing machine breaking down has a flow-on affect,” he said.
Statistics from the Australian Bureau of Statistics show the median wage for Warrnambool residents is $41,981.
Warrnambool City Council has a range of strategies in place to help businesses expand. Shaun Miller, manager of economic development and investment, said it was hoped this would result in more jobs and higher wages.
Portland residents are better off than their Warrnambool counterparts, with a median wage of $44,218, while people employed in Colac were also slightly better off with a median wage of $42,137. Hamilton residents average $40,452.
The median wage in Ballarat is $43,253, while Bendigo residents are averaging $43,210 per annum.
Koroit’s Joe Francis knows how hard it is to live on a budget of $42,000 a year.
Mr Francis, who is 52 and semi-retired, said takeaway food and other non-essential items were no longer an option for him and his wife Helen.
Another cost that is putting pressure on the couple’s budget is the rising cost of electricity, with the couple forking out up to $50 extra per quarter.
“We shop around once a year and try and improve our situation,” Mr Francis said.
Regular trips to Warrnambool from Koroit also hurt the at the hip-pocket when it comes to fuel.
“Sometimes I drive to Warrnambool three times a day and the cost of petrol adds up,” Mr Francis said.
This extra cost putting a strain on the couple’s budget has prompted them to make the tough decision to leave the community they love and move to Warrnambool.
Mr Francis’ son Joe also knows how tough it is to live on a tight budget.
The 21-year-old, who has cerebral palsy, is living on a disability pension.
Mr Francis has had expert advice on budgeting.
“That scared me because there’s no wiggle room at all,” he said.
Mr Francis is largely confined to his wheelchair, but is looking forward to finding a job in the near future.
He is also looking forward to moving to Warrnambool to save money.
At the moment he travels to the city from Koroit several times a week at a cost of between $15 and $20.
Research in 2012 revealed the average home with a couple and a child aged between 14 and 34 spent $1900 a week.
Weekly breakdown
- Housing $242
- Fuel and power $48
- Food and drink $314
- Clothing and footwear $82
- Medical and health expenses $104
- Alcohol $35
- Transport $332
- Recreation $253
Australian averages (per week)
- Housing $223
- Transport $193
- Recreation costs $161
- Household furnishing and equipment $59
- Clothing and footwear $44
Weekly spending – state versus state
- Victoria $1225
- NSW $1265
- Queensland $1241
- South Australia $1044
- Western Australia $1285
- Tasmania $1064
- Northern Territory $1500
- ACT $1536