Summary

This publication is one of eight state and territory supplements that accompany the 2009–10 national annual report on the use of government-funded specialist homelessness services (AIHW 2011a). Information to aid readers in interpreting the data is presented in the national report and appendixes (AIHW 2011i).

In line with the national picture, in Western Australia:

  • the majority of clients were female
  • the average age of clients was in their early thirties
  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people were over-represented relative to their population size
  • clients commonly sought support because of issues in their interpersonal relationships, such as domestic or family violence
  • immediately following support, most clients were living in a house or flat, they were not employed, and their main source of income was a government pension or benefit.

Some other points of interest in Western Australia were:

  • the rate of use of specialist homelessness services was lower than the national average
  • seeking support primarily because of domestic violence was relatively high
  • clients were supported for relatively short periods, with the lengths of support and accommodation being shorter than the national averages
  • there was a much higher proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients and accompanying children compared with the national average (second after the Northern Territory)
  • there has been a decrease in recent years in the proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients and accompanying children
  • the proportion of Australian born clients and accompanying children was the lowest of all the states and territories
  • there has been a decrease in recent years in the proportion of Australian-born clients and accompanying children and an increase in those born overseas
  • clients were employed both before and after support in levels higher than the national average. 
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