The SMR consists of contrasting socio-economic statuses.

At one end of the spectrum, Greater Dandenong is one of the most disadvantaged areas in Victoria with a median income of $1,453.00 per week for persons over the age of 15.

In contrast, the median income for Bayside for the same grouping is $2,487.00 and is one of the least disadvantaged areas in the country.

This variation between regions is similar for the median monthly mortgage repayments and median weekly rent (ABS, 2021).

Poverty

Poverty is defined as “not having enough available income to afford life’s necessities" (Women's Health Victoria, 2022).

In Australia, one in eight people, including one in six children, live below the poverty line.

The poverty line is based on 50% of median household income and ranges from $489 per week for a single person to $1,027 per week for a couple with two children.

In total, there are over three million (3,319,000) people in poverty, including 761,000 children in Australia. People in households below the poverty line have incomes that average $304 per week below the poverty line (the ‘poverty gap’), after deducting housing costs

Figure 24 displays the proportion of females and males aged 15 years and over who live in households with a disposable income of less than $353.45 per week (Women's Health Victoria, 2022). As can be seen, Greater Dandenong have the greatest percentage of both males and females who live in poverty. In each LGA (and indeed, Victoria-wide), more females than males live in poverty.