The ‘poverty gap’ is a measure of the depth of poverty among those living below the poverty line. It is the average gap between their income and the poverty line, after deducting housing costs.
In 2019-20, the average poverty gap for income support households was $197 per week.
Poverty was deepest (average poverty gaps were largest) among people in households whose main earner received Youth Allowance ($390 per week), Newstart Allowance / JobSeeker Payment ($269), and Parenting Payment ($246) and Carer Payment ($201). Poverty gaps were somewhat lower for Disability Support Pension ($156) and Age Pension ($118).