Poverty is an ongoing issue in Australia. It is the state of being extremely poor and unfortunately 2.5 million Australians are living in poverty today.

One of the many reasons why some Australian citizens live in poverty is because many are unemployed or are only able to work a few hours a week. Therefore they are on small wages and cannot afford to pay bills or rent, or buy a house. Some adults who live in poverty also have children, which makes it harder as they have to get enough food for themselves and their children. All children need an education and as school fees definitely aren't cheap, people that live in poverty struggle to pay for it. Some Adults have problems with gambling and betting and as some are really addicted, they blow their money on one bet, which leaves them with none.

Living the life of poverty is hard. Being forced to sleep on the streets with as little as a doona and a pillow is considered lucky. Many Australians that live in poverty only own the clothes that they are currently wearing. They have to scavenge food from rubbish bins behind shops and houses to live and many drink water, soft drink or whatever liquid they can find from garbage cans. In fact, without the common "dumpster dives" that majority of people living in poverty do, they would starve to death. Wealthier people often don't realise the pain, suffering and heartache that people living in poverty go through, but they need to think. If everything was taken away from them, how would they live? No nicely cooked food or money or holidays.

Living in poverty can have many consequences. Here a list will be supplied and then rated out of 10. 1 being not as bad to 10 being horrendous.
1. Many infants born into poverty have a small weight when they are born, which is associated with many preventable mental and physical disabilities. Not only are these poor children more likely to become sick, they are also more likely to die before their first birthday. 7/10
2. Many children living in poverty often miss out on school due to illness. Later in life, they are not able to get jobs as they have no experience or qualification. 6/10
3. As an adult, if you have lived in poverty as a child, your immune system may not be as strong. Poverty people would have a really weak stomach and when they get diseases their body can not handle it. Also they have no money to buy antibiotics to help them overcome their illness. 9/10

There are many ways to help people living in poverty. Everyone deserves a second chance, so why not help out to give people living in poverty a better life.
1. Donate. Small donations to charities and fundraisers that support poverty in Australia can help poor people have a better life. Food, water and a place to sleep can be provided to people living in poverty and give them another shot at life.
2. Volunteer at canteens for the less fortunate. By spending approximately an hour in a soup canteen, you can help make and serve soup for the homeless. Without you, they will starve to death and become dehydrated and you will feel really good after it.
3. Help build shelters for those in need. Many places around the world receive money from the government to build shelters. Putting a roof over peoples heads can stop them from getting illnesses and diseases.
So one day, if you end up living in poverty, you can hopefully rely on the generous people that will use their time to come and help you get back on your feet.