Exclusive documents obtained by The Guardian have revealed a major setback for economic planning in Australia, with the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) delaying its crucial Income and Housing Survey.
The survey, a cornerstone for understanding the financial wellbeing of the nation, has been pushed back and will now not be available until 2026. This delay creates a significant data black hole for policymakers, economists, and social researchers who rely on its findings.
What the Survey Measures and Why It Matters
This comprehensive survey is the most authoritative source of data on:
- Household incomes and wealth distribution.
- Housing costs and mortgage stress, critical during the current affordability crisis.
- Wage growth and inequality metrics across different demographics.
- The effectiveness of government support payments and welfare programs.
Without this updated information, the government and institutions like the Reserve Bank are effectively flying blind, making key decisions on interest rates and economic policy without a complete picture of how Australians are faring.
Reasons Behind the Setback
While the ABS has cited the need for a "redesign" to improve data quality, the briefing papers suggest the process has been hampered by complexities. The delay means the next survey will capture economic conditions nearly three years from now, a lifetime in the current volatile climate, rather than providing a timely snapshot of the post-pandemic recovery.
This gap in essential data will make it profoundly difficult to assess the true impact of rising inflation and cost-of-living pressures on low and middle-income families, potentially hindering the development of targeted support measures.
