Profile of service use

Key findings

  • Accommodation, financial and interpersonal reasons were the most common main reasons for seeking assistance.
  • For ex-serving ADF SHS clients who were ‘homeless’ at the start of support their most common main reason for seeking assistance was accommodation reasons. For clients at risk of homelessness their most common main reasons for seeking assistance were financial and accommodation.
  • For ex-serving ADF SHS clients, the most common service needed and provided was general support and assistance, followed by accommodation services.
  • Most clients had a support period end because their needs were assessed to have been met.
  • Homelessness among ex-serving ADF SHS clients appeared to be lower after support, and income, education and employment levels remained stable.

Amount of services used

There are 3 main ways to examine the amount of specialist homelessness services (SHS) used by ex-serving Australian Defence Force (ADF) SHS clients, using data available in the Specialist Homelessness Services Collection (SHSC): 

  • number of support days provided
  • number of nights of accommodation provided
  • amount of financial assistance received. 

Support days provided

A client’s period of support starts on the day the client first receives services and ends on the last day the client received services from the SHS agency. Support days include nights of accommodation as well as non-accommodation services. Some clients receive a combination of accommodation and non-accommodation services.

Across the 6-year reporting period, over half (56%) of ex-serving ADF SHS clients were provided with between 1 and 45 days of support (Table 6). This pattern of results was similar to the results for the general Australian population of SHS clients (53% were provided with between 1 and 45 days of support) (AIHW 2019).

The number of support days provided to ex-serving ADF SHS clients remained relatively stable over the reporting period.

Table 6: Ex-serving ADF SHS clients (2011–12 to 2016–17) and Australian SHS clients (2017–18), by support days provided

Support days provided

Ex-serving ADF SHS clients (%)

Australian SHS clients 2017–18 (%)

Up to 5 days

28

24

6 to 45 days

29

29

46 to 90 days

13

16

91 to 180 days

13

15

Over 180 days

18

15

Total number of clients

1,215

288,795

Notes

  1. For ex-serving ADF SHS clients, the calculation of days of support includes all clients, regardless of whether all their support periods were closed. For the general population of Australian SHS clients, the calculation only includes clients who had all of their support periods closed at the end of 2017–18.
  2. If the support period start or end dates are outside of the reporting period for a financial year, total days are calculated using a start date of 1 July and an end date of 30 June.
  3. For ex-serving ADF SHS clients, days of support are calculated by summing all support days received between 1 July 2011 and 30 June 2017.
  4. Percentages may sum to more than 100 due to rounding.

Sources: AIHW analysis of linked PMKeyS–SHSC data 2011–12 to 2016–17 (Ex-serving ADF SHS clients); AIHW Specialist Homelessness Services Collection 2017–18 (Australian SHS clients).

Nights of accommodation provided

Over the reporting period, nearly 2 in 5 (38%) ex-serving ADF SHS clients were provided with at least 1 night of accommodation, which was higher than the proportion among Australian SHS clients (29%) (Table 7). Almost 1 in 4 (23%) ex-serving ADF SHS clients were provided with between 1 and 45 nights of accommodation.

Table 7: Ex-serving ADF SHS clients (2011–12 to 2016–17) and Australian SHS clients (2017–18), by nights of accommodation provided

Accommodation nights provided

Ex-serving ADF SHS clients (%)

Australian SHS clients 2017–18 (%)

Clients receiving any accommodation

38

29

Up to 5 nights

9

7

6 to 45 nights

14

10

46 to 90 nights

5

4

91 to 180 nights

5

4

Over 180 nights

6

5

No accommodation

62

71

Total number of clients

1,215

288,795

Notes

  1. For ex-serving ADF SHS clients, the calculation of nights of accommodation includes all clients, regardless of whether all their support periods were closed. For the general population of Australian SHS clients, the calculation only includes clients who had all their support periods closed at the end of 2017–18.
  2. If the support period start or end dates are outside the reporting period for a financial year, nights of accommodation are calculated using a start date of 1 July and an end date of 30 June.
  3. The length of accommodation for a client is calculated by adding each night of accommodation (short term/emergency, medium and long term accommodation) provided across all support periods between 1 July 2011 and 30 June 2017. The length of accommodation for a client only includes nights provided to the client, and does not include nights of accommodation in which the client was referred to another agency.

Sources: AIHW analysis of linked PMKeyS–SHSC data 2011–12 to 2016–17 (Ex-serving ADF SHS clients); AIHW Specialist Homelessness Services Collection 2017–18 (Australian SHS clients).

Over the 6-year reporting period, the proportion of ex-serving ADF SHS clients who were provided with accommodation of any length remained relatively stable over time, and was similar to the proportion of Australian SHS clients provided with accommodation (AIHW 2019).

Amount of financial assistance provided

Over the reporting period, nearly 4 in 5 (79%) clients were provided with between $0 and $200 in financial assistance. Fewer than 1 in 10 clients (7%) were provided with between $201 and $400, and 8% with between $401 and $800. The amount of financial assistance provided to ex-serving ADF SHS clients remained relatively stable over the 6 years.

Reason for seeking assistance

Any reason for seeking assistance (at the start of support)

When SHS clients first seek assistance from a SHS agency, they are asked to identify all reasons for doing so. If a client selects more than 1 reason, they are asked to choose their main reason from among those they identified. This makes it possible to analyse 2 separate but related data items: any reasons given for seeking assistance and the main reasons for doing so. By comparing the data items, it is possible to gain some insight into which reasons are primary or central reasons for seeking assistance, and which are secondary reasons.

The most common reasons ex-serving ADF SHS clients identified for seeking assistance at the start of support related to accommodation (61%) and financial issues (57%) (Table 8). Nearly 2 in 5 (38%) sought assistance for interpersonal relationship reasons, 1 in 3 (28%) for a health reason, and a similar proportion for other reasons (30%).

Among Australian SHS clients, the most common reasons for seeking assistance were accommodation and interpersonal relationships (both 53%). Just under half (47%) sought assistance for financial reasons, 23% for a health reason and 32% sought assistance for other reasons.

Main reason for seeking assistance (at start of support)

The most frequently selected main reason for seeking assistance was accommodation (39%), followed by financial (25%), interpersonal (21%) and health (5%) (Table 8). The results were broadly similar for all Australian SHS clients—the most common main reason was also accommodation, and the proportion was similar (35%). However, a higher proportion of Australian SHS clients sought assistance for interpersonal reasons (36%) compared with ex-serving ADF SHS clients (21%), and a lower proportion for financial reasons (17% and 25%, respectively) (AIHW 2019).

Among ex-serving ADF SHS clients, some differences existed between the results for the main reason for seeking assistance, compared with any reason (Table 8):

  • The proportion of ex-serving ADF SHS clients (21%) who selected interpersonal reasons as their main reason was similar to the proportion who selected financial reasons (25%), but a higher proportion of clients had selected financial reasons as any reason (57%), compared with interpersonal reasons (38%). This may suggest that although fewer people are seeking assistance for interpersonal reasons than financial, when they do, interpersonal is more likely to be the main reason.
  • A lower proportion of ex-serving ADF SHS clients (5%) selected health as their main reason, compared with those who selected it as any reason (28%). This suggests that health reasons are more likely to contribute to the need for services than be the main reason. Most (92%) ex-serving ADF SHS clients who nominated health as their main reason for seeking assistance were clients with disability, a current mental health issue, or problematic drug and/or alcohol use.
Table 8: Ex-serving ADF SHS clients, by any reason for seeking assistance at start of support, and main reason for seeking assistance at start of support

Reason

Any reason (number)

Any reason (%)

Main reason (number)

Main reason (%)

Accommodation

718

61

460

39

Financial

676

57

291

25

Interpersonal relationships

449

38

251

21

Other

350

30

117

10

Health

336

28

53

5

Total number of clients

1,182

 

1,172

 

Notes

  1. The denominator used to calculate percentages for any reason for seeking assistance at the start of support is the total number of unique clients, excluding those whose reason for seeking assistance was not stated for every support period in the client’s first financial year of support (1,182).
  2. Percentages for any reason for seeking assistance at the start of support may sum to greater than 100 as clients could list multiple reasons for seeking assistance. Clients are only counted once per reason.
  3. The denominator used to calculate percentages for main reason for seeking assistance is the total number of unique clients (1,172), excluding those whose reason for seeking assistance was not stated in the client’s first financial year of support.
  4. Where more than 1 reason for seeking assistance has been provided, the client chooses the main reason.
  5. 'Other' includes transition from custodial arrangements, transition from foster care and child safety residential placements, transition from other care arrangements, discrimination including racial discrimination, itinerant, unable to return home due to environmental reasons, disengagement with school or other education and training, lack of family and/or community support.

Source: AIHW analysis of linked PMKeyS–SHSC data 2011–12 to 2016–17.

During the reporting period, the proportion of ex-serving ADF SHS clients who nominated:

  • accommodation as their main reason for seeking assistance increased from 35% in 2011–12 to 43% in 2016–17
  • financial reasons decreased from 29% to 19% (Figure 3).

The results for the general population of Australian SHS clients for the same period followed a similar pattern to the results for ex-serving ADF SHS clients (AIHW 2019). The proportion who nominated:

  • accommodation as their main reason for seeking assistance increased from 28% in 2011–12 to 37% in 2016–17
  • financial reasons decreased from 20% to 17%.

It should be noted that across all 6 years, the proportion of Australian SHS clients who nominated interpersonal reasons as their main reason for seeking assistance was between 31% and 35%. This was higher than the proportion of ex-serving ADF SHS clients, which was between 16% and 22%.

Figure 3: Ex-serving ADF SHS clients, main reason for seeking assistance, by financial year, 2011–12 to 2016–17

This line chart shows the main reasons that ex-serving ADF SHS clients sought assistance from an SHS agency, over 6 financial years (2011–12 to 2016–17). Over time, the proportion of clients who sought assistance for accommodation reasons increased from 35%25 to 43%25. The proportion of clients who sought assistance for financial reasons decreased from 29%25 to 19%25. The results for the 3 remaining reasons (Interpersonal relationships, Health, and Other) remained relatively stable.

Notes

  1. Percentages are calculated using the total number clients per financial year as denominator, excluding those whose reason for seeking assistance was not stated in that year.
  2. Where more than 1 reason for seeking assistance has been provided, the client chooses the main reason.
  3. 'Other' includes transition from custodial arrangements, transition from foster care and child safety residential placements, transition from other care arrangements, discrimination including racial discrimination, itinerant, unable to return home due to environmental reasons, disengagement with school or other education and training, lack of family and/or community support.
  4. A lower proportion of agencies returned data for 2011–12 so these numbers should be interpreted with caution.

Source: AIHW analysis of linked PMKeyS–SHSC data 2011–12 to 2016–17; Table S3.

The main reasons for seeking assistance differed for those who were homeless at the start of support and whose reason for seeking assistance was known (493 clients), compared with those at risk of homelessness and whose reason for seeking assistance was known (584 clients) (Table 9):

  • Half (52%) of those who were homeless sought assistance for accommodation reasons, compared with 30% of those at risk
  • 1 in 5 (19%) of those who were homeless sought assistance for financial reasons, compared with 31% of those at risk
  • 1 in 6 (16%) of those who were homeless sought assistance for interpersonal reasons, compared with 22% of those at risk.

The general pattern of results was similar for Australian SHS clients (AIHW 2019). Among those who were homeless at the start of support, the most common main reason for seeking assistance was accommodation (51%), followed by interpersonal relationships (25%) and financial (12%). Among those who were at risk of homelessness at the start of support, the most common main reason was interpersonal relationships (35%), followed by accommodation (28%), and financial (22%).

Table 9: Ex-serving ADF SHS clients, main reason for seeking support at start of support, by housing situation at start of support

Main reason

Homeless (number)

Homeless (%)

At risk (number)

At risk (%)

Accommodation

257

52

178

30

Financial

95

19

179

31

Interpersonal relationships

77

16

131

22

Other

40

8

70

12

Health

24

5

26

4

Total number of clients

439

 

584

 

Notes

  1. Percentages are calculated using the total of unique clients in each housing situation as denominator (439 for homeless, 584 for at risk), excluding those whose main reason for seeking assistance was not stated or whose housing situation was not stated.
  2. Where more than 1 reason for seeking assistance has been provided, the client chooses the main reason.
  3. 'Other' includes transition from custodial arrangements, transition from foster care and child safety residential placements, transition from other care arrangements, discrimination including racial discrimination, itinerant, unable to return home due to environmental reasons, disengagement with school or other education and training, lack of family and/or community support.
  4. Housing situation at the start of support is the housing situation of a client during the financial year in which the client first received SHS support. Clients at the start of support are categorised as either homeless or at risk of homelessness.

Source: AIHW analysis of linked PMKeyS–SHSC data 2011–12 to 2016–17.

Support needs identified, provided and referred

When a SHS client seeks assistance from a SHS agency, the agency assesses which services the client needs. An agency may then provide the client with this service, or may refer the client to another organisation. On some occasions, a client may need a service but may not be either provided with the service or referred to another organisation. Further information about services needed, provided and referred is located in the Technical Notes.

Among ex-serving ADF SHS clients, the type of service most commonly needed was general services (Figure 4). General services include a wide variety of services, such as advice and information, material aid, living skills and meals. A more detailed list of general services can be found in the glossary. Most (92%) ex-serving ADF SHS clients needed at least 1 of these services. Of the 1,123 clients who needed these services, 99% were provided with at least 1 service by their SHS agency, and 1% were referred to another organisation.

Accommodation services were needed by 2 in 3 (64%) ex-serving ADF SHS clients on at least 1 occasion, which could include short-term accommodation, medium-term accommodation or long-term housing. Of the 778 clients who needed any of these types of accommodation, 58% were provided with accommodation at least once, and 15% were referred to another organisation at least once.

The service needs and services provided to SHS clients in the general Australian population were similar to those for ex-serving ADF SHS clients. Among Australian SHS clients:

  • 95% needed general services on at least 1 occasion, and 96% of the clients who needed these services were provided with at least 1 service in this category
  • 56% needed any type of accommodation on at least 1 occasion, and 52% of the clients who needed accommodation were provided with it at least once (AIHW 2019).

The SHSC identifies 3 types of accommodation services: short-term accommodation; medium-term accommodation; and long-term housing. The proportions of ex-serving ADF SHS clients who needed, were provided with, or were referred to each service were as follows:

  • Short-term accommodation was needed at least once by almost half (47%) of all ex-serving ADF SHS clients. The proportion of clients who needed long-term housing at least once was slightly lower (43%), and 1 in 3 (32%) needed medium-term accommodation at least once.
  • Of the 575 clients who needed short-term accommodation, 2 in 3 (66%) were provided with this type of accommodation on at least 1 occasion, and 1 in 10 (11%) were referred to another organisation for this service on at least 1 occasion.
  • Of the 384 clients who needed medium-term accommodation, 1 in 4 (26%) were provided with this service, and 22% were referred.
  • Of the 517 clients who needed long-term housing, 5% were provided with this service, and 36% were referred.

Nearly 2 in 5 (38%) ex-serving ADF SHS clients needed assistance to sustain housing tenure or prevent tenancy failure or eviction at least once. Of the 463 clients who needed this service, 80% were provided with the service at least once, and 4% were referred to another organisation at least once.

The services needed by ex-serving ADF SHS clients extended beyond services related to accommodation. The proportion of ex-serving ADF SHS clients who needed other non-accommodation services (on at least 1 occasion) were as follows:

  • 15% needed domestic and family violence services
  • 13% needed mental health services
  • 9% needed legal or financial services
  • 7% needed drug and/or alcohol services
  • 5% needed family services
  • 21% needed other specialist services.

The ex-serving ADF SHS clients who needed domestic violence services were almost exclusively women. Of the 274 ex-serving women who were SHS clients, 53% needed domestic and family violence services, compared with 4% of the 941 ex-serving men who were SHS clients. Among Australian SHS clients, women also were the primary users of these services—42% of female Australian SHS clients needed these services during 2017–18, compared with 15% of men (AIHW 2019).

Further information on SHS use among ex-serving women who needed domestic and family violence services can be found in the Client groups of interest section. 

Figure 4: Ex-serving ADF SHS clients, by need for services and assistance and service provision status, 2011–12 to 2016–17

This stacked bar chart shows the number of ex-serving ADF SHS clients who: needed each service type; were provided with that service; were referred for that service; or who were neither provided with nor referred to that service. Of the 1,215 ex-serving ADF SHS clients, 1,123 needed at least 1 general service, and 1,111 were provided with at least 1 general service. Of the 778 ex-serving clients who needed at least 1 type of accommodation, 452 were provided with at least 1 of these services, and 118 were referred

Notes

  1. The category Neither provided nor referred indicates that the client needed this service but that the service was neither provided nor referred.
  2. Categories are a count of unique clients within all categories in the service and assistance group. A client may request multiple services and assistance types, therefore the sum of the categories is not equal to the group total.
  3. If a client needed a service more than once during the 6-year reporting period, they are only counted once during that category of service. The same is true for services provided and referred.
  4. Other specialist services include: health/medical services, specialist counselling services, and other specialised services.
  5. Information about the services included in the General services category can be found in the glossary of the Specialist homelessness services annual report 2017–18.

Source: AIHW analysis of linked PMKeyS–SHSC data 2011–12 to 2016–17; Table S4.

Reason support period ended

The period of time a client receives services from a specialist homelessness agency is referred to as a support period. A support period starts on the day the client first receives a service and ends on the last day the client receives services from the agency.

When the support period for a SHS clients ends, the reason why the support period ended is recorded. Support periods end for a variety of reasons, ranging from the client’s goals or needs being met (and therefore support is no longer required), a client is referred to another organisation for support, or the SHS agency has lost contact with the client.

Of the 1,144 ex-serving ADF SHS clients who had a support period close for a known reason, 62% had at least 1 support period end because their needs had been met or their goals were achieved. Nearly half (48%) had a support period end because they no longer requested assistance from the SHS agency, did not turn up to the SHS agency, or because the agency lost contact with them.

This pattern of results for ex-serving ADF was broadly similar to the results for the general Australian population of SHS clients—56% of Australian SHS clients had at least 1 support period end because their goals were met (AIHW 2019).

Over the 6-year reporting period between 2011–12 and 2016–17, the proportion of ex-serving ADF SHS clients each year who had at least 1 support period end because their needs were met or their goals were achieved increased from 45% to 54%.

References

AIHW (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare) 2019. Specialist homelessness services annual report 2017–18. Cat. no. HOU 299. Canberra: AIHW.