Cost of Living
WACOSS has produced The Rising Cost of Living in WA paper since 2006. The paper’s intent is to track changes in typical living expenses against increases in the WACOSS model family’s income. It endeavours to use the most current, up to date data available, from a variety of sources.
In addition to this, WACOSS occasionally produces a Cost of Essential Services paper, which similarly tracks increases in the cost of utilities – water, gas and electricity. In 2009-2010 the cost of utilities has increased by $323, placing immense strain on vulnerable people across the state. This paper combines changes in the price of basic household expenses and changes to the price of essential services, consistent with the WACOSS Household Model.
WACOSS also produces a range of ad hoc research and papers on various aspects of securing an adequate income for a household.