MAY 2026

In this update from Research, Policy and Advocacy at the Brotherhood of St. Laurence we are pleased to share a recording of our latest BSL Talks, where a panel of experts discuss the potential of Thriving Kids. 

You can also read about Hoops 4 Wealth, the Northern Territory financial wellbeing program for people on low incomes; learn about current attitudes on Perceptions of Poverty in Australia; hear about our contribution to the AVETRA conference; read our policy submissions; and much more. 

Find out more about our current work at www.bsl.org.au/research, or browse our policy submissions. 

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RECORDING: THRIVING KIDS, THRIVING FAMILIES, THRIVING COMMUNITIES

Our April BSL Talks: Thriving Kids, thriving families, thriving communities, is now online. 

Thriving Kids presents the opportunity to build a more equitable, integrated approach: one that meets families earlier, responds to their real‑world contexts and strengthens inclusion. With its rollout, governments, communities and service providers have a shared opportunity to reshape how children and families access the support they need where they live, learn and play.

Hosted by Zeah Behrend, BSL’s Chief Strategy and Impact Officer, the talk brought together leading voices from research, practice and policy to examine how equity, community‑embedded supports and cross‑sector collaboration can transform outcomes for children and families, and what practical steps are already showing promise on the ground. Our panel included:

• Professor Sharon Goldfeld, The Centre for Community Child Health, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute. A leading pediatrician and researcher, Professor Goldfeld brings deep expertise in child development, population health and system reform. 
• Dr Caroline Croser‑Barlow, CEO at The Front Project, offers national leadership in early learning system design and workforce capability. 
• BSL’s frontline insights on integrated service design was shared by Tanya Oxlade, Head of Disability Service and Innovation and Leah Robertson, Senior Manager Early Years.  

Watch BSL Talks: Thriving Kids, thriving families, thriving communities (YouTube link)

REPORT: HOOPS 4 WEALTH

In 2025, BSL collaborated with Hoops 4 Health (H4H), a First Nations-led organisation based in the Northern Territory, as part of an action research project: Building financial capability and resilience for low-income people in the Northern Territory. Funded by the Department of Social Services (DSS), the project aimed to enhance the financial capability and resilience of people on low incomes living in the Northern Territory. 

Following extensive scoping and learning, we partnered with H4H to further develop the Hoops 4 Wealth (H4W) program. H4W is a healing-centred and trauma-informed financial capability program that brings together First Nations practice, wisdom and neuroscience to support wellbeing, re-empowerment and resilience. 

BSL and H4H co-designed the evaluation approach to support the development of the H4W program. We found participants had strong outcomes, including:  

• better everyday money management and healthier choices
• saving 
• planning and setting short and longer-term goals 
• making sense of meeting their obligations to their family, their community and themselves
• learning about financial rights and responsibilities
• taking little steps towards resilience.

Read the program report by Dr Dina Bowman, Dr Margaret Kabare and Elaine Nungarrayi Williams Hoops 4 Wealth: building financial capability and resilience for First Nations people in the Northern Territory (PDF 1.6 MB)

REPORT: PERCEPTIONS OF POVERTY IN AUSTRALIA

New attitudes research shows that people living in Australia understand poverty as more than a lack of income. It includes health, housing, safety, employment, education and social connection.

BSL commissioned two major studies surveying more than 2,600 people across Australia in 2025 (89 Degrees East) and 2026 (Essential Research). The findings highlight widespread concern about the rising cost of living, growing inequality and the impact these pressures have on individuals, families and communities.

• 94% of people believed more should be done to reduce poverty.
• 82% said that supporting people experiencing poverty is especially important during the current cost‑of‑living crisis.

The report received substantial media coverage, featuring in The Age and Sydney Morning Herald, with a teaser on Nine News the night before it was launched. The story was also widely syndicated across radio, including ABC Radio National, community radio and 2GB. News Corp regional publications also ran the media release the following day.

Find out more about Perceptions of poverty in Australia (PDF 5.6 MB)

CONFERENCE: VOCATIONAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING RESEARCH

In April, two members of BSL’s Employment, Education and Training team, Kira Clarke (Principal Employment, Education and Training) and Dr Madeleine Morey (Senior Research Officer, pictured) presented at the Australasian Vocational Education and Training Research Association (AVETRA) conference in Brisbane. The conference focused on discussing challenges and opportunities currently faced by the vocational education and training (VET) system such as responding to local needs and global pressures, and economic imperatives and social justice commitments.

Kira gave a keynote address that focused on equity and inclusion in Australia’s VET system and she introduced BSL’s 5Cs framework. The presentation highlighted that there has been limited progress over the last 20 years when it comes to improving the outcomes of learners from priority cohorts. Addressing this will require considering how a learner moves through and engages with the VET system to improve their experience and reduce attrition.

Madeleine presented interim findings from a research project she has been leading on understanding the provision of career education once a young person leaves school. The presentation highlighted how for young people seeking meaningful and timely career education, the current system is fragmented. A young person’s access currently depends on the services or program they may be engaged with, and eligibility requirements.

Papers based on the presentations are forthcoming. 

POLICY: INQUIRY INTO RENEWABLE AND AFFORDABEL ENERGY FOR APARTMENTS

BSL welcomed the Victorian Parliamentary Inquiry into renewable and affordable energy for apartments. We recommend measures to improve energy affordability and sustainability in apartments, including addressing high costs in embedded networks and enabling energy efficiency and electrification upgrades.

We made several recommendations regarding embedded networks and maximum prices. We ask government to oppose the move to increased fixed charges and provide financial support if fixed charges do increase. We suggested they develop policies support electrifying and improving energy efficiency in multi-unit dwellings – and they should be particularly mindful of reducing the cost for low-income households.

On 30 April, David Bryant, Senior Research and Policy Officer, Inclusion, presented on equitable access at the public hearing.

Read BSL’s submission to the Vic. Legislative Assembly Environment and Planning Committee on the Inquiry into renewable and affordable energy for apartments  ​​​​​​(PDF 253 KB)

BSL LIBRARY

​The Brotherhood of St. Laurence (BSL) is a social justice organisation that works to prevent and alleviate poverty across Australia. You are receiving this email as you have previously subscribed to the BSL Research and Policy Centre e-newsletter. To unsubscribe, please click on the link below.