The Impact of COVID-19 on Families in Hardship in Western Australia
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The Impact of COVID-19 on Families in Hardship in Western Australia The 100 Families WA Project August — 2020 100 Families WA Project Partners Anglicare WA, Jacaranda Community Centre, The Centre for Social Impact The University of Western Australia (CSI UWA), the UWA Social Policy, Practice and Research Consortium, UWA School of Population and Global Health, Wanslea, Centrecare, Ruah Community Services, Uniting WA, Mercycare, and WACOSS.
Through action research to
reduce hardship and
disadvantage for families living
in Western Australia, the 100
Families WA project is working
towards a vision of an
economically, socially and
culturally just WA where all
families are supported to thrive
together.
Citation
Callis, Z., Seivwright, A., Orr, C. & Flatau, P. (2020).
The Impact of COVID-19 on Families in Hardship
In Western Australia. The 100 Families WA project
(Anglicare, Centrecare, Jacaranda Community Centre,
Mercycare, Ruah Community Services, Uniting WA,
Wanslea, WACOSS, The University of Western
Australia (Centre for Social Impact and the School of
Population and Global Health)), Perth, Western
Australia. doi: 10.25916/5f3b2a5e4bb42
Address for correspondence
All enquiries relating to the present report and the
research study should be addressed to Professor Paul
Flatau at the following address:
Professor Paul Flatau, Director
UWA Centre for Social Impact
The Business School
University of Western Australia
35 Stirling Highway
Crawley, WA 6009
Australia
Paul.Flatau@uwa.edu.auThe 100 Families WA Project 100 Families WA is a collaborative research project between Anglicare WA, Jacaranda Community Centre, the Centre for Social Impact The University of Western Australia (CSI UWA), the UWA Social Policy, Practice and Research Consortium, the UWA School of Population and Global Health, Wanslea, Centrecare, Ruah Community Services, Uniting WA, Mercycare, and WACOSS. 100 Families WA has a commitment to ongoing engagement in the project of those with lived experience of poverty, entrenched disadvantage and social exclusion. The overarching goal of the project is to develop an ongoing evidence base on poverty, entrenched disadvantage and social exclusion in Western Australia that will be used by the policy and practice community in Western Australia continuously over time to understand better the lives of those in low income poverty, entrenched disadvantage and social exclusion, the impact and effectiveness of the community sector and government initiatives and service delivery processes and what those in entrenched disadvantage see as important for positive change. Acknowledgements The 100 Families WA team thank the family members that gave us their time and a window into their lives. This project would not be possible without the willingness and generosity of the families sharing their stories. We would also like to thank the outstanding team of interviewers for their time, flexibility, and dedication in undertaking the survey, as well as the partner agencies and their staff for accommodating the 100 Families WA project so readily. The 100 Families WA project acknowledges its principal funder Lotterywest for its long-term support to this critical project. Also acknowledged are the significant in-kind and cash contributions made by the project partners. Seed funding for the project was provided by E/Prof D’Arcy Holman through the School of Population and Global Health and from the Bankwest Foundation.
Contents
Contents
i
Tables
ii
Figures
iii
Executive Summary
iv
1. Introduction
01
2. Methodology
04
3. Health and Health Service Access
06
4. Education
10
5. Labour Force Participation
12
6. Financial Stress and Income Support
14
7. Service Access and Service Quality
17
8. Overall Impacts
21
9. Conclusion
23
10. References
24
i | The 100 Families WA ProjectTables
Table 2.1: Demographic characteristics of family members that completed the 100
Families WA COVID-19 survey (n = 158)
04
Table 3.1: Family member experiences of social distancing
06
Table 3.2: Reasons for the cancellation or rescheduling of appointments due to COVID-19
09
Table 3.3: Reasons for not accessing telehealth services
09
Table 4.1: Additional resources required by parents and caregivers in order to continue
schooling at home
11
Table 5.1: Labour force status of family members
12
Table 5.2: Impact of COVID-19 on ability to work
13
Table 6.1: Types of government pensions, benefits, or other payments received in the last
12 months
15
Table 6.2: Ways in which the Coronavirus Supplement has affected family members’ lives
16
Table 7.1: Proportion of family members that reported that the way they access services
has changed due to COVID-19, by service type.
18
Table 7.2: Reasons for not being able to access services when needed (n = 63)
19
#100FamiliesWA | iiFigures
Figure 1.1: 100 Families WA timeline of data collection activities and project outputs
03
Figure 2.1: Timeline of surveys (bar), active cases (line), and key events (scatter) that
impacted daily life
05
Figure 3.1: Feelings of depression or anxiety in the past week
07
Figure 3.2: Types of medical appointments that were rescheduled or cancelled due to
COVID-19 restrictions
08
Figure 6.1: Financial conditions in terms of paying for essential goods and services
14
Figure 6.2: Planned expenditure for the Coronavirus Supplement
15
Figure 7.1: Has COVID-19 stopped you from being able to access this service altogether?
17
Figure 7.2: How would you describe the change in service delivery? (n = 110)
18
Figure 7.3: In the past 3 months, how often did you access this service when you needed
to?
19
Figure 7.4: Compared to before COVID-19, how well has this service met your needs
during the COVID-19 crisis?
20
iii | The 100 Families WA ProjectExecutive Summary
The 100 Families WA project self-isolate, but practiced social
seeks to understand the lived distancing, and only 2.5% chose
experience of entrenched not to modify their behaviour at
disadvantage in Western Australia all.
and what policy and practice
changes are required to Feelings of depression and
significantly reduce and anxiety “all of the time” or “most
ultimately end entrenched of the time” in the week prior to
disadvantage. The 100 Families the supplementary COVID-19
WA project utilises a unique survey were much more common
combination of longitudinal among family members (38.1%)
quantitative data, fortnightly than among a general Australian
qualitative interviews with family sample (17.1%).
members, and the active
engagement of those with lived As illustrated in the 100 Families
experience to build a rich WA Baseline Report, family
understanding of entrenched members experience elevated
disadvantage in Perth. The first rates of chronic health conditions
wave of data collection was relative to the general population,
completed in 2019. thus necessitating significant
interaction with the healthcare
The 100 Families WA COVID-19 system. Well over a third (40.5%),
report presents experiences of of family members reported that
the COVID-19 pandemic, its they had health-related
restrictions, and its early appointments or procedures
economic and social impacts cancelled or rescheduled due to
among 158 family members in COVID-19. Less than half (41.0%)
the study who completed a of family members accessed
supplementary COVID-19 survey telehealth services; 42.3% did not
between May and July 2020. This need to access them; and the
was a period which followed a remainder were not offered
wave of COVID-19 cases in (5.1%), did not want (6.4%), did
Western Australia and the not have the equipment for
introduction of restrictions on (3.8%) or could not afford (1.3%)
economic activity and on social telehealth services.
interactions. The report presents
findings in the following domains:
health and health service quality,
education, labour market
outcomes, financial stress and
income support, service access
and service quality, and the
40.5%
had medical procedures or
overall impacts of COVID-19.
appointments cancelled or
Health and health service access disrupted
No family members reported that
they had been diagnosed with
COVID-19 at the time of their
38.1%
supplementary survey. In terms felt depressed or anxious most
of social distancing and other to all of the previous week,
precautionary measures, 60.3% of compared to 17.1% in an
family members chose to self- Australian general sample during
isolate at home, 32.3% did not COVID-19
#100FamiliesWA | ivEducation Financial stress and income
support
The short duration of In terms of financial stress, almost
homeschooling in Western half (49.4%) of family members
Australia during the period of the (versus 26.0% of Australians)
COVID-19 and the efforts of reported that they were
schools, teachers and the WA financially stressed or very
Department of Education appear financially stressed in terms of
to have minimized the effects of being able to afford essentials.
COVID-19 on parents’ The majority (89.1%) of family
homeschooling efforts. Almost members received income
three quarters (73.6%) of family support payments in the year
members with school-aged prior to survey, with 50.6%
children in their care felt they had reporting receiving the $550 per
enough resources to continue fortnight Coronavirus Supplement
73.6%
their children’s schooling at which was available to those on
home. The remaining family JobSeeker payments and certain
members felt they needed other income support payments.
additional resources, including with children felt they had
internet resources (access, better enough resources to continue
speed, and more bandwidth),
equipment (computers,
schooling at home. The
remaining family members felt
webcams), and resources about
they needed additional
how to teach their children as
resources, including internet
well as what to teach.
resources (access, better speed,
and more bandwidth),
Labour market
equipment (computers,
webcams), and resources about
The majority of family members
how to teach as well as what to
interviewed were either
teach.
unemployed (12.7%) or not in the
labour force (68.3%) at the time
of the COVID-19 supplement. A
further 13.6% were employed.
Just over half (55.0%) of the
family members that were
unemployed felt the COVID-19
pandemic had affected their
ability to look for work, and 35.0%
55.0%
of the family members that were
felt it had affected their unemployed felt the COVID-19
motivation. Almost a third (28.6%)
pandemic had affected their
of the family members that were
not in the labour force felt their ability to look for work
ability to look for work had been
affected by the COVID-19
situation and 33.9% felt it had
49.4%
affected their motivation. Among
family members who were
employed, 40.0% reported that
their ability to work had been were financially stressed in
affected by COVID-19. terms of paying for essentials,
compared to 26.3% in an
Australian general sample.
v | The 100 Families WA ProjectThe Coronavirus Supplement lifts majority of family members also
recipients’ income above the reported changes to the way that
relative poverty line. In a previous services were accessed. The
report, the 100 Families WA changes to service access as a
project reported on the significant result of the COVID-19 restrictions
adverse impacts on family were perceived as positive or
members’ lives of a Newstart (the more positive than negative by
forerunner of JobSeeker) payment 46% of family members, and
set well below the poverty line. negative or more negative than
The most common impact that positive by 54% of family
family members reported as a members.
result of receiving the Coronavirus
Supplement was improved quality As expected, services that cannot
of life (n = 41; 51.9%). This be delivered as easily without in-
included reduced stress, the
ability to reduce arrears on rent
and utility bills, pay off debt, and
person contact were most
affected both in terms of
disruptions to access and family
51.9%
of those receiving the $550
life being simply easier and more members’ perceptions of services’ covid-19 supplement said it had
comfortable. ability to meet their needs.
Services that were particularly
improved their life
this included reduced stress, the
“Pretty much every aspect. Dental, negatively affected from the
ability to get rid of arrears on
fast track mental perspective of family members
rent and utility bills pay off debt,
health/counselling. I can eat included mental health services,
and life being simply easier and
better which improves my physical laundry and personal care
more comfortable.
health. I can do everything I need services, and employment
to do to get myself ready to go services.
Services
back to work and become a good
tax paying member of society.
Won't have to worry about bills
too much. Can relax a bit. I can
afford reliable access to the
interrupted
internet. I can afford to buy a new 30% housing pathway and
phone instead of saving for two housing support
months or wondering whether my 45% financial services
money will be stolen or taken to 48% health services
pay off debt collectors.” 50% food services
58% employment/job search
services
Service access and service quality 61% mental health services
63% laundry and personal care
Access to a broad range of services.
community services was
interrupted altogether for many
family members as a result of Service
COVID-19. The proportion of
family members for whom service
was stopped varied by service
delivery
type, from 30% for housing
pathway and housing support, to changes
50% for food services, 58% for were most common in mental
employment/job search services, health services (87.5%),
61% for mental health services
health services (69.9%)
and 63% for laundry and personal
care services. A substantial and food services (63.9%).
#100FamiliesWA | vi1. Introduction
The 100 Families WA project is a on food insecurity, life on waiting for COVID-19 to blow over
three-year collaborative research Newstart (now called JobSeeker), before resuming job searching, or
project between a group of and access to non-government having to take on additional caring
Western Australian community services. A Baseline report duties. However, discouraged job
agencies (Anglicare WA, examining outcomes across seekers represent both a social
Centrecare, Jacaranda Community domains of social, health, and and economic concern for
Centre, MercyCare, Ruah, Uniting economic wellbeing was released Australia in terms of lost
WA and Wanslea), the Western in August 2019. (See the list of opportunities and lower output
Australian Council of Social publications at the end of this and productivity in the medium to
Services, researchers at The report and the 100 Families WA long term.
University of Western Australia, website for further details.) In this
Particular concern has been raised
and families participating in the report, we examine the impacts of
about the health and social
project. COVID-19 on 100 Families WA
impacts of COVID-19 on
family members, particularly in
The 100 Families WA project seeks disadvantaged populations.
terms of health, education, labour
to understand the lived Socioeconomic deprivation has
market outcomes, financial
experience of entrenched been found to be a predictor of
position, and the accessibility and
disadvantage in Western Australia COVID-19 infection and of
quality of services provided to
and what policy and practice subsequent hospitalisation in the
family members.
changes are required to UK (Niedzwiedz et al. 2020) and
significantly reduce and ultimately The impact of COVID-19 the US (Finch & Finch, 2020;
end entrenched disadvantage. Noppert, 2020).
The COVID-19 pandemic has
Entrenched disadvantage occurs
created shockwaves for us all. It It is hypothesised that the
when people face sustained low
has affected us as individuals and relationship between
income over time inadequate to
families but the pandemic has also socioeconomic status and COVID-
meet basic needs, and face
affected community services, not- 19 infection and outcomes arises
significant barriers to overcoming
for-profit organisations, due to frequently occurring
disadvantage in one or more
healthcare providers, aged care factors that limit the choices of
major human wellbeing domains
providers, and the private sector. those with few economic means,
including mental and physical
Early models predicted a $34.2b such as living in substandard
health, housing, education, safety,
reduction in Australia’s gross housing and experiencing
jobs and social relationships.
domestic product (GDP) over one homelessness, being insecurely
Disadvantage for some may be
year, as a result of a coronavirus employed without leave
experienced over the very long
pandemic (PWC, 2020). Recent entitlements, having health issues,
term including across generations.
Australian Bureau of Statistics and having caring responsibilities
Inspired by New Zealand’s Family labour force statistics (Australian that preclude or limit self-isolation
100 project, led by Auckland City Bureau of Statistics, 2020) indicate as a family unit.
Mission, the 100 Families WA that over 800,000 jobs were lost
Further, for similar reasons, it is
project is a mixed-methods action across Australia from March 2020
proposed that the economic
research project that engages to May 2020 with only a third
downturn and recession will
families experiencing entrenched regained in the two months since,
disproportionately affect those
disadvantage to identify what posing significant long-term risks
already experiencing
works in the current policy and to Australia’s economy and labour
socioeconomic disadvantage,
practice environment, what market. Unemployment continues
while also creating socioeconomic
approaches should be expanded, to rise and we now have one
disadvantage among new cohorts.
what barriers exist, and how we million Australians unemployed.
Those with low educational
can break the cycle of entrenched Unemployment is only part of the
attainment and those working in
disadvantage. The project picture; in addition to perennially
low-skilled jobs are more likely to
positions families as partners in under-reported
face job losses and difficulty
the research and that their voice underemployment, over 200,000
finding work in the months and
and ideas for change are Australians have dropped out of
years to come (Rollston & Galea,
paramount. the labour force since the
2020).
beginning of the pandemic. This
Previous bulletins of the 100
withdrawal from the labour force
Families WA project have focused
may be temporary for many –
1 | The 100 Families WA ProjectAdditional concerns have been had lost 30% or more of their Baseline (Seivwright & Flatau,
raised about intergenerational income relative to the same 2020), only 7.0% of family
disadvantage, with new research month in the year prior. The members that completed the 100
finding that socioeconomically JobKeeper scheme encourages Families WA COVID-19
disadvantaged children engage in and enables businesses to keep supplementary survey were
more passive screen time and less employees on the payroll and to experiencing homelessness. As
sleep, and have lower access to facilitate employees’ return to COVID-19 surveys were conducted
educational resources in a home work once conditions improve. By primarily over the phone or
environment which inevitably mid-May, 910,055 businesses and online, we were unable to reach
translates to poorer educational not-for-profits had enrolled in the homeless family members as
outcomes (Arnup, Black, & JobKeeper program and 759,654 effectively as housed family
Johnston, 2020). of those had made claims resulting members. Further attempts at
in $8.7b of payments to around reaching those experiencing
Australian Government responses 2.9m employees (ATO, 2020). homelessness as part of the 100
To COVID-19 Families WA project are underway
WA State Government responses and will be reported on in the
The Australian Government has To COVID-19
rolled out an array of income relief study’s final report next year.
and economic stimulus packages The WA State Government has The 100 Families COVID-19 report
targeted at various levels – initiated significant measures to
individuals, small businesses, mitigate the health and economic The present report represents a
community services, and impacts of COVID-19. Like the step towards understanding the
government services (Australian federal measures, state-level impact of COVID-19 on those
Government, 2020). The measures measures are targeted towards experiencing hardship. Concerns
that have received the most public businesses, community services, about COVID-19 emerged
attention and, arguably, have the and individuals. As part of a suite approximately half way through
most immediate impact on low- of measures, the WA Government the collection of the 100 Families
income Australians and announced a $444 million housing WA Wave 2 (or Year 1) survey.
particularly many 100 Families WA stimulus package including a Through the effort and
family members are the major social housing program commitment of the project team –
Coronavirus Supplement and the along with other stimulus partner agencies, interviewer
JobKeeper payment. responses including the team and researchers alike – along
Apprenticeship and Traineeship with the invaluable time and
Announced on 22nd March 2020 Re-engagement Incentive. There participation of our family
and implemented on 27th April were significant measures focused members, we were able to
2020, the Coronavirus Supplement on ensuring that emergency and continue data collection through
saw an additional $550 per community services could the worst of the restrictions in WA
fortnight added to income support continue to meet demand. The (affecting the latter third of the
payments for people receiving WA Government also placed a data collection). Further, we were
JobSeeker payment (previously freeze on increases to all able to include a set of dedicated
Newstart), partner allowance, household tariffs, fees and charges questions about the impact of
widow allowance, sickness effective 1 July 2020 and a six- COVID-19, and followed up to
allowance, youth allowance, month moratorium on residential ensure that family members who
Auststudy, ABSTUDY, parenting tenancy evictions was introduced completed their survey before the
payment, farm household in April 2020. inclusion of the COVID-19
allowance, and special benefit questions were able to provide
(Services Australia, 2020a). The Support packages in the their responses.
$550 Supplement represents an community sector included a
$28.1 million support package for We present findings about
effective doubling of many
victims of family and domestic people’s health, education
payment types and, in particular,
violence and a $6.8 million (impacts on children), labour
the raising of unemployment
commitment to homelessness market engagement, financial
income support payments above
services together with funding for circumstances, access to and
the relative poverty line. The $550
two new Common Ground quality of services during COVID-
Supplement is in place until 24th
facilities in Western Australia. 19, and general impacts of COVID-
September 2020, after which it
Unlike in other states, there was 19. Consideration is given to when
will reduce to $250 per fortnight
only a small-scale program survey responses were recorded
until 31st December 2020
targeted at providing temporary in relation to the number of
(Services Australia, 2020).
accommodation in motels and COVID-19 cases and government
The JobKeeper payment, hotels. While 17.3% of our full restrictions and responses to stop
announced on 30th March 2020, 100 Families WA sample was the spread of COVID-19 and
offers a $1,500 wage subsidy to experiencing homelessness at mitigate negative economic
employers whose organisations impacts.
| Page 6 | #100FamiliesWA | 2The future of disadvantage in important to note that some of 100 Families WA project involves
Australia these changes may be positive; for two waves of quantitative data
the first time in decades, income collection with 400 family
Those most vulnerable in
support payments for jobseekers members via a survey, and
Australian society experience the
are above the relative poverty fortnightly interviews for a year
greatest adverse impacts from
line, and the JobKeeper initiative with a subset of 100 family
COVID-19. This serves to reinforce
has, at least temporarily, members. The timeline below
the importance of the 100
stemmed some outright job outlines the data collection and
Families WA project. We know
losses. reporting activities of the 100
that, despite its generic label, the
Families WA project to date, and
experience of hardship is far from The importance of this research
until the project’s conclusion in
static or homogenous. External cannot be understated. Data
July 2021. At the time of
factors including economic collection for the 100 Families WA
publication, no further data
conditions, government policy, project is almost at its conclusion.
collection for the 100 Families WA
and community service sector However, we argue that continued
project is funded.
practice and policy interact deeply research into the experiences of
with experiences such as health vulnerable Australians as the
issues, homelessness and family impact of COVID-19 continues to
and domestic violence to unfold is critical. Accordingly, we
drastically affect wellbeing. advocate strongly for the
COVID-19 forces rapid changes to continuation of the project.
these external factors and it
Timeline of 100 Families WA
remains to be seen how these
changes will affect the lives of At its current level of funding, the
those experiencing hardship. It is
Figure 1.1: 100 families WA timeline of data collection activities and project outputs
30th July 2018:
First Community Conversation
29th August 2018:
Second Community Conversation
27th November 2018 - 5th April 2019:
Baseline survey data collection (n = 400)
May 2019 - August 2020:
Fortnightly qualitative interviews (n = 100)
May 2019:
Bulletin 1
July 2019:
Baseline report
October 2019:
November 2019 - July 2020: Bulletin 2
Wave 2 survey data collection
March 2020:
Bulletin 3
September - November 2020:
Focus groups
March - July 2021:
Co-design and research
translation activities.
July 2021:
Final report
3 | The 100 Families WA Project2. Methodology
Wave 2 survey and COVID-19 This COVID-19 report presents • Overall impacts: summary of
supplement findings in the following the impacts of COVID-19 on
domains: 100 Families WA family
Data collection for the Wave 2 members, including
survey began on 27th November • Health: how was access to statements in their own words
2019. As it was designed to health care affected by COVID- provided to open-ended
measure change over time relative 19, and what self-isolation questions.
to the Baseline survey, it covered methods were people
the same domains of experiencing hardship able to Sample demographics
socioeconomic wellbeing: service use? To what extent did
use, housing, quality of life, people feel anxious or Table 2.1 outlines key
economic participation, substance depressed? demographic characteristics of the
use, health, and mental health. In 158 family members that
April 2020, the research team, in • Service access and quality: completed the 100 Families WA
collaboration with the broader how, and to what extent, did COVID-19 survey. Relative to the
100 Families WA project team and people’s access to services Baseline sample (n = 400), there is
the Community Advisory Group, change, and how were these a slight overrepresentation of
developed a set of questions to changes perceived by service women, and a slight
examine the emerging impacts of users? underrepresentation of Aboriginal
COVID-19 and government and and Torres Strait Islander family
• Education: did parents feel members. This likely reflects the
community sector responses to supported with respect to the
the pandemic. These questions higher proportion of men who
resources provided to were homeless at baseline and,
were incorporated into the Wave continue schooling at home?
2 survey from 4th May 2020. The therefore, more difficult to reach,
survey questions were also • Labour force participation: and digital exclusion and/or a
presented as a COVID-19 how was labour force preference for face-to-face
supplement to Wave 2 for family participation affected by contact among Aboriginal and
members who had completed COVID-19; how many family Torres Strait Islander family
their Wave 2 survey prior to 4th members’ ability and members.
May. Data collection ceased at the motivation to look for work
end of July 2020. The figure below was affected;
outlines responses to the Wave 2
survey and the COVID-19 • Financial stress and income
supplement relative to Western support: How were family
Australia’s COVID-19 cases and members’ finances affected by
WA State Government and COVID-19. How did people
Australian Government responses who received the income
to the COVID-19 pandemic. support payment supplement
intend to use their income?
Table 2.1: Demographic characteristics of family members that completed the 100 Families WA COVID-19 survey (n = 158)
n %
Gender
Female 114 72.2%
Male 43 27.2%
Other gender identity 1 0.6%
Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
Yes 32 20.3%
No 126 79.7%
#100FamiliesWA | 4Timeline of data collection
Figure 2.1, below, presents a
timeline which maps 100
Families WA data collection
against active COVID-19 cases,
and key community and State
and Commonwealth
Government responses to
COVID-19.
Figure 2.1: Timeline of surveys (bar), active cases (line), and key events (scatter) that impacted daily life
16 400
14
Daily active cases (N, line)
Surveys completed (N, bar)
12 300
10
8 200
6
4 100
2
0 0
27-Nov-19 27-Dec-19 27-Jan-20 27-Feb-20 27-Mar-20 27-Apr-20 27-May-20 27-Jun-20 27-Jul -20
-2
Social distancing Max. all
Max. gatherings: 100 gatherings: 2
-4 -100
Max. gatherings: 2
Excl. Weddings (5), Funerals (10)
Phase 1 Phase 2 Phase 3 Phase 4
-6
Australian WA Regional WA Regional borders reopen
borders close borders close WA regional (excl. Aboriginal communities)
-8 boundaries eased -200
JobKeeper 1st $750 $550/fn coronavirus supplement 2nd $750
ESP ESP
-10 Supermarket Schools Schools Students required to
limits Pubs, church, close reopen attend school
gyms close,
services move
-12 online
-300
Wave 2 N=230 COVID-19 Supplement N=148
Wave 2 with COVID-19 Questions N=10 National Restrictions
State Restrictions Income Supplement
Community Response Border Control
Active Cases
Note: ESP = Economic Stimulus Payment.
WA Phase 1: maximum of 10 people in gatherings, WA Phase 2: maximum of 20 people in gatherings, WA Phase 3: maximum of
100 people in gatherings, WA Phase 4: maximum of one person per two square metres in gatherings.
5 | The 100 Families WA Project3. Health and Health Service
Access
As a public health crisis, the practiced self-isolation and/or isolate but practiced social
primary focus of the COVID-19 social distancing. Table 3.1 distancing, which is defined as
crisis has been the impact of the displays the frequencies and continuing activities outside of the
virus itself – identifying and proportion of the sample that home, but following the
containing infections. At the time experienced the different forms of prescribed rules set by the
of completing the survey, none of social distancing. Family members Western Australian Government
the family members reported that could select more than one including those around limits on
they had contracted COVID-19. option. the number of people that can
One family member (0.6%) attend gatherings and keeping
suspected they had had it (i.e., The term ‘quarantine’ was used to 1.5m from strangers. A number of
called the COVID-19 hotline or saw describe the mandatory family members (6.3%) were not
a doctor), but they had not been quarantining of those returning able to self-isolate, because they
tested. Three family members from overseas or interstate travel, were working in an essential
(1.9%) had experienced COVID-19- or those who had contact with a service, and a few (2.5%) did not
like symptoms but did not seek to confirmed case. At the time of the alter their social interactions and
get tested and managed their survey, 8.2% of family members activities.
health situation on their own. Two reported that they had been
family members (1.3%) reported required to quarantine in their
that they had been tested for home, and 0.6% somewhere else.
COVID-19, but were awaiting Interviewers were advised to
results. explain that ‘self-isolate’ in the
context of this survey referred to
Experiences of social distancing choosing to stay at home, and only
leaving the home to exercise or
Family members were asked to shop for essential items. Over half
indicate whether they had been (60.8%) of family members chose
required to quarantine at some to self-isolate. A third (32.3%) of
point, and whether they had family members did not self-
Table 3.1: Family member experiences of social distancing
n %
I have been required to quarantine in my home 13 8.2
I have been required to quarantine elsewhere 1 0.6
I chose to self-isolate at home or elsewhere 96 60.8
I could not self-isolate because I work in an essential service 10 6.3
I did not self-isolate, but practice social distancing 51 32.3
I did not self-isolate or change my social interactions and activities 4 2.5
Note: Percentages do not equal 100.0%, as family members could select multiple options
| Page 14 | #100FamiliesWA | 6Mental health impact time” and “all of the time” to sample. These figures indicate that
create “most to all of the time”. the family members in the study
To examine the mental health We have done likewise in the case were experiencing much higher
impacts of the COVID-19 situation, of the 100 Families WA COVID-19 rates of depression and/or anxiety
family members were asked the survey. Figure 3.1 below visually symptoms than the Australian
question “How often did you feel depicts the comparison between general population. It should be
depressed or anxious, during the the family member responses and noted that across all 12 waves of
past week?”. The response the national responses. It should the Taking the Pulse of the Nation
options for this question included be noted that this question asks survey, the highest proportion of
“none of the time”, “a little of the about feelings of depression or Australians that felt anxious or
time”, “some of the time”, “most anxiety and did not require a depressed for most to all of the
of the time”, and “all of the time”. clinical diagnosis. week was 20.0% (lowest 14.9%),
This question was drawn from the well below the proportion of
Taking the Pulse of the Nation Over a third (38.1%) of family family members reported here.
survey, which has been conducted members reported they had felt Similarly, the lowest proportion of
weekly since April by the depressed or anxious for most to Australians that felt anxious or
Melbourne Institute (Melbourne all of the time during the past depressed for little to none of the
Institute, 2020). The Wave 8 week, compared to 17.1% of the week was 52.9% (highest 60.6%),
survey was selected as the national sample. Just over a fifth which is still substantially higher
national comparison point for this of both family members (21.3%) than the proportion of family
report as it took place between and the national sample (23.4%) members reported here.
25-28 May. At this point in time, reported feeling depressed or
half of family members had anxious for some of the time
completed the COVID-19 survey. during the past week. Less than
The publicly reported figures for half (40.6%) of family members
Wave 8 combined the responses reported feeling depressed or
“none of the time” with “a little of anxious for little to none of the
the time” to create “little to none time, during the past week,
of the time”, and “most of the compared to 59.6% of the national
Figure 3.1: Feelings of depression or anxiety in the past week
100 Families WA: Perth COVID-19 Survey 40.6% 21.3% 38.1%
Melbourne Institute National COVID-19 tracker 59.6% 23.4% 17.1%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Little to none of the time Some of the time Most to all of the time
Note: Excludes three family members that skipped this question.
Melbourne Institute National COVID-19 tracker data is taken from the Taking the Pulse of the Nation survey which contains
responses from a national sample of 1200 which has been stratified by gender, age, location to be representative of the Australian
population (Melbourne Institute, 2020). The figures presented here are taken from the Wave 8 (25-28 May) survey, to serve as a
national comparison, as half of the family members’ responses to the COVID-19 survey were collected before/after this wave. The
national percentages have been adjusted to exclude missing responses.
7 | The 100 Families WA ProjectCancellation of medical sterilise the treatment facilities were asked whether they had had
appointments and procedures between patients and minimise any medical appointments or
contact in waiting areas. These procedures cancelled or
At the end of March 2020, restrictions meant that access to rescheduled due to the COVID-19
Western Australian hospitals healthcare services and medical restrictions. Under half (40.5%) of
cancelled all Category 3 elective procedures was limited. the family members had
surgeries and reviewed the experienced a cancellation or
urgency of Category 2 elective Telehealth services were rescheduling due to COVID-19.
surgeries in order to free up expanded during the restrictions, The family members were then
resources in preparation for a so that people could access asked to indicate which types of
COVID-19 outbreak (Cook, 2020). healthcare from home. Initially, appointments had been cancelled
The reduction of elective surgeries there were only Medicare Benefits or rescheduled. Family members
sought to preserve face masks and Schedule telehealth items for could indicate more than one type
other personal protective those who were considered of healthcare service (see Figure
equipment, and increase hospital vulnerable, which included those 3.2 for the full distribution of
capacity. Allied health isolating on the advice of a responses). Of those that had an
professionals were not exempt medical practitioner, those aged affected appointment, over a third
from the COVID-19 social over 70, Aboriginal and Torres (35.9%) had to cancel or
distancing requirements and many Strait Islander people aged over reschedule a surgery or medical
were limited to only providing 50, those who are procedure. Over a third (35.9%)
appointments to address acute immunocompromised, and those had to cancel or reschedule an
conditions (for example, dental with new babies or are pregnant. appointment with a specialist.
emergencies such as severe These criteria were relaxed to Under half (39.1%) had an
toothache or abscess; ADA, 2020). enable more Australians to access appointment with an allied health
Some allied health and GP healthcare remotely via telehealth professional cancelled or
practices elected to close during services. rescheduled, 18.8% with a general
April and May, while those that practitioner, and 9.4% with
remained open reduced the To investigate how family another healthcare professional.
number of appointments available members were affected by the
to allow for adequate time to restrictions on healthcare, they
Figure 3.2: Types of medical appointments that were rescheduled or cancelled due to COVID-19 restrictions
39.1%
35.9% 35.9%
Proportion of “Yes”
18.8%
9.4%
Surgery or Specialist Allied health GP Other
medical professional
procedure
Yes
40.5%
No
59.5%
Note: Donut chart includes all family members that completed the survey.
Column chart includes only those that indicated that they had had a medical appointment rescheduled or cancelled due to COVID-
19. Percentages do not add up to 100.0% as family members may have had more than one type of appointment affected by COVID-
19.
#100FamiliesWA | 8Reasons for the cancellation of resources. The health service professional was in an at-risk
medical appointments and being closed was the reason category (9.4%). Some (9.4%)
procedures offered by 15.6% of family family members did not feel
members. comfortable accessing healthcare
The family members who had services during the height of
medical appointments cancelled For the purposes of this survey, COVID-19 and 4.7% had to cancel
or rescheduled due to COVID-19 ‘at-risk’ was defined as those who or reschedule because they were
were asked to indicate why this were immunocompromised, aged self-isolating. Others (6.3%) did
occurred. Table 3.2 presents the above 70, Aboriginal and/or Torres not feel that a telehealth
frequencies and proportions Strait Islander aged above 50, or appointment was an appropriate
associated with the reasons for pregnant. Family members substitute for a face-to-face
appointment disruption. A third reported that appointments were consultation.
(34.4%) of family members cancelled or rescheduled both
reported that their procedure was because they are in an at-risk
cancelled to free up beds and category (10.9%) or the healthcare
Table 3.2: Reasons for the disruption of appointments due to COVID-19
n %
The health professional is in an at-risk category 6 9.4
I am in an at-risk category 7 10.9
I was self-isolating 3 4.7
I didn't feel comfortable accessing services 6 9.4
Procedure was cancelled to free up beds and resources for COVID-19 22 34.4
Service was closed 10 15.6
Telehealth was not appropriate 4 6.3
Other 6 9.4
Total 64 100.0
Note: Table includes only those that indicated that they had had a medical appointment rescheduled or cancelled due to COVID-19.
Access to telehealth services example, a webcam; 3.8%), not as the COVID-19 survey had to be
being able to afford it (1.3%), and conducted with the same
Telehealth provides an at-home not wanting to have their resources required for telehealth
alternative to face-to-face consultation online (6.4%). It (over the phone, or via a
healthcare appointments. should be noted that those in the webcam), due to the COVID-19
However, it requires that the broader study who were unable to restrictions in place during data
patient/client have access to a access telehealth services may be collection.
webcam and steady internet underrepresented in this sample,
connection, or be comfortable
taking the appointment over the
phone, and have a private and
quiet space in their home. To
Table 3.3: Reasons for not accessing telehealth services
examine the potential barriers
to telehealth that family
members experienced, family n %
members were asked if they had Yes 64 41.0
accessed telehealth, and if not,
No, I did not need telehealth services 66 42.3
why not (see Table 3.3). While
42.3% of family members did No, that was not offered to me 8 5.1
not need to access telehealth No, I could not afford it 2 1.3
services, and 41.0% did access
No, I did not have the equipment 6 3.8
telehealth, the remaining 16.7%
needed medical care but did not No, I did not want an online consultation 10 6.4
access telehealth. Reasons Total 156 100.0
included: the service not being
offered to the family member Note: Excludes two family members that did not answer this question
(5.1%), not having the right
equipment (for
9 | The 100 Families WA Project4. Education
A major concern arising from symptoms in youth or payments will have provided at
COVID-19, aside from its health adolescence, raising concerns that least temporary alleviation of
impact, is the impact on children. school closures will impede financial burdens for those who
In addition to stress and anxiety schools’ and teachers’ ability to received it, many family members
among children about the virus identify and address young did not. Only 51.2% of 100
itself and the changes to their day- people’s mental health needs Families WA family members with
to-day life brought about the virus (Golberstein, Wen & Miller, 2020). children reported receiving
(World Health Organisation, Teachers and schools also play an income support payments that
2020), the impact of school important role in identifying other were eligible for the $550
closures is of particular concern. It serious issues that can emerge in a fortnightly supplement.
is estimated that COVID-19 related young person’s life, such as Accordingly, it is important to see
school closures are affecting the homelessness (Thielking, La Sala & how family members with children
education of 80% of children Flatau, 2017). coped with school closures and
worldwide (Van Lancker & Parolin, other disruptions to their
2020). Gaps between higher and A significant issue is the longer children’s lives.
lower socioeconomic children in term impact that the interruptions
literacy and numeracy are known to essential services such as school
to widen during summer school
holidays and there are concerns
that, although schooling will
will have on children. Research
shows that even short-term
disruptions to food security, for
48.8%
of family members with children
continue, that the modified format example, can lead to longer term
in their care were not
will have similar effects due to disparities in educational
receiving income support
children of lower socioeconomic attainment, health, and
payments that were eligible for
status lacking adequate access to psychosocial functioning (Dunn et
the $550 fortnightly Coronavirus
the internet and devices, and al. 2020). Paired with the
Supplement
often not having quiet, private knowledge that early life
places to study (Van Lancker & disadvantage predicts long term
Parolin, 2020). health, education, economic
participation, and social wellbeing Over half (54.4%) of family
The concerns around school outcomes, there is a clear need to members that completed the
closures relate not only to support children and families COVID-19 survey had children in
educational achievement, but also experiencing disadvantage to their care, and 84.9% of these
food insecurity, physical health, mitigate the impacts of COVID-19 (45.6% overall) had children who
and mental health. School-based from worsening their life were school-aged in their care.
food programs ensure access for experience. The number of children in family
many children to at least one members’ care ranged from 1 to 8,
nutritionally valuable, free or Previous 100 Families WA reports with an average of 2.1.
affordable meal per school day, and bulletins have shown the
alleviating a major cause of stress impact of disadvantage on parents In Western Australia, parents of
for many parents (Dunn et al. and children. We have presented children attending public school
2020). As well as nutrition, school evidence that suggested that were asked to not send their
provides formal physical education parents were going without food children to school after March 30,
as well as natural active play in order to feed their children one week before Term 1 was
opportunities; the move to online (Seivwright, Callis & Flatau, 2019), scheduled to end, to allow
schooling and the restrictions on that more than 1 in 5 family teachers and schools to prepare
outside play as a result of physical members (22.8%) could not afford remote teaching resources. During
distancing requirements pose a a hobby or leisure activity for the final week of Term 1 (April 6-
significant risk for weight gain and children (Seivwright, Callis & 9), only supervision (not teaching)
obesity among children Flatau, 2019), and 26.3% could not was available for children whose
(Workman, 2020) afford for children to participate in parents could not safely keep
school trips and school events that them home (Laschon, 2020).
In relation to mental health, the cost money (Seivwright & Flatau, Though it was anticipated that the
majority of adults with mental 2020). While the Coronavirus whole of Term 2 would be
health issues first experienced Supplement to income support delivered online, WA’s
#100FamiliesWA | 10comparatively mild experience Table 4.1: Additional resources required by parents and caregivers in order to
of the pandemic in terms of continue schooling at home
virus cases saw the Premier
n %
calling for all students (except
those with medical
Equipment (e.g. computer, webcam) 11 57.9
vulnerabilities or family
members with chronic health Access to the internet 7 36.8
issues) to return to in-person Faster internet 6 31.6
school by the start of week
four of Term 2 (May 18) More internet data 5 26.3
(Government of Western Access to apps 5 26.3
Australia, 2020). Restrictions on Access to apps for children 5 26.3
school activities have since been
further lifted, and most school Information about what to teach my children 9 47.4
activities, such as assemblies,
camps, excursions, sports Information about how to teach my children 10 52.6
carnivals, swimming lessons,
choirs, and exams can now take Other 7 36.8
place, subject to physical
distancing requirements (WA Among the 19 family members outcomes. There are clear areas in
Department of Education, 2020). who felt they needed more which support is needed,
resources in order to continue particularly given the belief that
their children’s schooling at home, COVID-19 and, therefore,
73.6% 36.8% said they would need
access to the internet, 31.6%
needed faster internet, and 26.3%
potential temporary lockdowns
and restrictions are going to be
part of our lives for the
of family members with school- said they needed more internet foreseeable future. Access to the
aged children felt that they had data. Equipment, such a computer internet and appropriate devices
enough resources to continue or webcam, was cited as a need by with which to access it for
their children’s schooling at 57.9% of family members who schooling purposes have once
home. required additional resources to again emerged as a strong need
continue their children’s for several family members.
We asked family members with schooling. Interestingly, while
school-aged children in their care 47.4% of family members with a Irrespective of COVID-19,
whether they felt they had the need for additional resources increasing digital inclusion for
resources they needed to continue wanted additional information socioeconomically disadvantaged
their children’s schooling at home. about what to teach their children, families and children should be a
Almost three quarters (73.6%) felt even more (52.6%) wanted priority in light of the increasing
that they did. This may reflect the information about how to teach reliance on digital technologies
short duration for which parents them. This has important and the benefits that can result
had to homeschool; 70.9% of implications for the future as it from effective use of such
responses to the COVID-19 survey suggests a greater focus on technologies. In addition, while
were gathered after children had contact between teachers and family members’ responses
returned to school, so parents may parents particularly for those indicate that the resources
have been looking back on the without strong educational available to them are generally
homeschooling experience with backgrounds. sufficient, further tips and support
positive feelings such as relief. with regard to how to effectively
Alternatively, it could reflect the “Struggled with learning at home. teach them may help parents and
high level of support available to Technology didn't work, needed caregivers to enhance children’s
parents from schools. The WA support to get the computer to educational experience in general,
Department of Education work.” and will definitely be useful in the
developed a Learning at Home case of future issues that
website, a centralised source for Thus far, it appears that the brief necessitate learning from home.
learning resources and support for nature of the interruption to in-
parents, carers, and children. Of person schooling in WA has meant “A better understanding of what
course, such resources are less that family members caring for they are doing at school. School
helpful to those without adequate children have not perceived too work today I don't understand.”
access to the internet. many issues in relation to their
children’s schooling which will
“They are doing great, schools are hopefully translate to a minimal “[I need] resources about how to
looking after them well” interruption to children’s learning get them to do it”
11 | The 100 Families WA Project5. Labour Force Participation
On the 24th March 2020, strict Table 5.1: Labour force status of family members
COVID-19 restrictions were
introduced which meant that n %
businesses deemed non- Labour force participation rate 50 31.6
essential had to temporarily
Employed – Worked in the last week 22 13.9
close, including beauty therapy
salons, cinemas, nightclubs, Employed - Away from work 8 5.1
concert venues, fitness centres, Unemployed - Actively seeking work and able to work 20 12.7
museums, and libraries Not in the labour force 108 68.4
(Morrison, 2020). Restaurants Actively seeking work and not able to work 2 1.3
and cafes were reduced to take-
Not engaged in work and not actively looking for work 9 5.7
away food and drink services
only. The closure of these Home Duties 39 24.7
businesses meant that many Student 7 4.4
people lost their employment. Unable to work due to health condition or disability 39 24.7
To assist, a federally funded Retired 11 7.0
JobKeeper payment was
Other 1 0.6
introduced, where businesses
that could demonstrate that Total 158 100.0
their annual turnover would be
reduced by 30-50% (depending
on business size) due to COVID-19, home duties and caring
could apply to provide their responsibilities (24.7%), actively
employees with a $1500 seeking work but not available to COVID-19 impact on employment
fortnightly payment, to ensure work (1.3%), not engaged in work
that their employees would retain and not looking for work (5.7%), As the labour force status
their job while the business was and other (0.6%). questions are concerned only with
closed. Unfortunately, not all labour force participation in the
employees were eligible for the Reasons for being away from previous week, family members
payment, as it was only available work were also asked if COVID-19 had
for contracted positions, or casual impacted their employment
positions that had been held for at Ordinarily, reasons for being away situation. While the COVID-19
least 12 months. Only one family from work include restrictions brought on significant
member in the study reported holiday/personal leave, temporary job losses and business closures,
that they were receiving illness, and being temporarily some industries did need to
JobKeeper. stood down. To assess whether expand their workforce. Family
COVID-19 had an impact on work members were asked if they
Family members were asked about attendance, family members (n = gained work as a result of new
their labour force status in the 8) who reported that they were demand created by COVID-19. Of
week prior to the survey. Just away from work in the week prior those who were employed, 13.3%
under a fifth (19.0%) of the family to the survey were asked to (n = 4) got their current job and
members had some form of explain why. Three family 6.7% (n = 2) got more hours in a
employment, having worked members said that their workplace job they already had. One family
(13.9%)or being away from work had been temporarily closed due member who was not in the
(5.1%). In order to be considered to COVID-19 restrictions and two labour force due to their studies
unemployed, family members had reported that they were not given reported that they had previously
to have been actively seeking and any hours. One family member got more hours in a job they
available to work, 12.7% met this said their mental health issues already had.
definition. Just over two thirds were affecting their ability to
(68.4%) of the family members work, having also taken personal Family members were also asked if
were not in the labour force, due leave. One family member was they had been stood down or
to retirement (7.0%), health away from work due to caring retrenched at any stage, because
condition or disability (24.7%), responsibilities and another had of the COVID-19 pandemic, and
engagement in education (4.4%), taken holiday/personal leave. overall, 11.5% (n = 18) said that
#100FamiliesWA | 12they had. In terms of their current members’ physical ability to work, employed, 40.0% reported that
labour force status, 13.3% (n = 4) aside from the economic effects of their ability work had been
of the employed family members the restrictions, family members affected by COVID-19. They felt
and 20.0% (n = 4) of the were asked if their ability to work less productive at work (23.3%),
unemployed and actively seeking had been affected by COVID-19. more stressed (3.3%), and
work family members reported Table 5.2 presents the distribution concerned about contracting or
that they had been stood down or of responses by employed family spreading the virus (3.3%). Some
retrenched due to COVID-19. Of members (those who worked or family members were working less
the family members who were not were away from work during the because their mental health was
in the labour force, 5.1% (n = 2) of last week) and family members affected by COVID-19 (10.0%), or
those who were unable to work who were unemployed or not in they had extra caring
due to health condition or the labour force. Responses from responsibilities (13.3%). Of the
disability, 7.7% (n = 3) of those the unemployed family members family members that were
with caring responsibilities/home have been combined with those unemployed or not in the labour
duties, and 22.2% (n = 2) of those who were not in the labour force force, 23.1% felt their ability to
who were not looking for work, as it may be the case that many of work was impacted due to COVID-
reported that they had been stood those who are not in the labour 19, due to additional caring
down or retrenched at some stage force are not actively seeking work responsibilities (14.1%), mental
because of COVID-19. because of the current economic health effects of COVID-19 (3.8%),
situation. Family members who and concern about contracting or
COVID-19 impact on ability to were not in the labour force due spreading the virus (5.1%).
work to a health condition or disability
and those who were retired were
To examine the impact of the excluded from this question. Of
COVID-19 pandemic on family the family members who were
Table 5.2: Impact of COVID-19 on ability to work
Unemployed/Not in the
Employed labour force
(n = 30) (n = 78)
n % n %
My ability to work has been affected by COVID-19 12 40.0 18 23.1
I am more stressed at work 1 3.3 -
I feel like I am less productive at work 7 23.3 -
I am working less/unable to work because I have extra caring
responsibilities as a result of COVID-19 4 13.3 11 14.1
I am working less/unable to work because my mental health is
affected by COVID-19 3 10.0 3 3.8
I am unable to work because I am worried about COVID-19 1 3.3 4 5.1
My ability to work has not been affected by COVID-19 18 60.0 60 76.9
Note: Percentages may not add up to 100.0, as family members could select multiple options.
Those who were employed were asked if they were “working less” due to caring responsibilities and mental health, whereas those
who were not working were asked if they were “unable to work”.
Unemployed/Not in the labour force excludes those who are retired (n = 11) and unable to work due to health condition or disability
(n = 39).
“I am more stressed at work” and “I am unable to work because I am worried about COVID-19” responses may be underrepresented
as they were coded from the “other” text responses.
COVID-19 impact on looking for disability and those who are felt it had affected their
work retired), were asked whether the motivation. Almost a third (28.6%)
COVID-19 situation had impacted of the family members that were
The family members who were their ability and motivation to look not in the labour force felt their
unemployed (actively seeking and for work. Just over half (55.0%) of ability to look for work had been
available to work), and those who the family members that were affected by COVID-19 situation
were not in the labour force unemployed felt the COVID-19 and 33.9% felt it had affected their
(excluding those who were unable pandemic had affected their motivation.
to work due to health condition or ability to look for work, and 35.0%
13 | The 100 Families WA ProjectYou can also read
