Many indicators suggest that the Australian society and economy is strong with more than a decade of consistent growth and low official levels of unemployment. There are many who have done very well and who continue to benefit. Many of those who have done well in recent years are in a position to assist Centacare in its mission to those who are struggling and disadvantaged.

However not all have done well and there remain some reasons for caution especially in relation to the wellbeing of the more vulnerable groups in our society:

• The benefit of recent growth does not appear to have been evenly spread. The recently published research Dropping Off the Edge by Tony Vinsin supported Jesuit Social Services and Catholic Social Services Australia revealed severe pockets of deprivation across Australia in cities, regional and remote areas with high concentrations in parts of Melbourne, Geelong and surrounding areas.
• Labour markets indicate significant gaps between those who require work and those who wish to employ labour. There are still high levels of underemployment especially for people with low skills and/or high social barriers to work eg CALD communities. Certain geographical regions have high unemployment and few job vacancies.
• Housing affordability and availability has become a serious issue for first home buyers and renters.
• According to the most recent census data the highest growth in household types are single person households.
• Levels of household debt are high. Some commentators contend that this debt has been raised on the back of increased property values that are illusory and not sustainable. A rise in interest rates or a downturn in the world economy could cause a recession in which the most vulnerable will be hardest hit.

In a social policy environment where there is an increasing expectation that each one should “pay their way”, vulnerable groups become further isolated.  This includes indigenous Australians, new arrivals, people with mental illness, those with drug and alcohol issues or those who have come into contact with the criminal justice system.  The experience of Centacare further suggests that:

• Poverty and lack of opportunity have become intergenerational with pre-school, health care (including dental and mental health) and education no longer being seen as universal services but as private services or services that require significant client co-payments. Disadvantage becomes increasingly entrenched and low social mobility is linked to lack of opportunity for children and less access to high income work.
• Current changes to income security mean that sole parent families with poor access to decent, affordable child care will become more vulnerable. People with disabilities (especially mental health and intellectual) and others with multiple barriers to employment will also struggle to survive in open labour markets.
• The Catholic Education Office identifies an increasing number of young children entering the school system with significant disadvantage associated with problems in early childhood development. 
• High numbers of sole parent and blended families pose challenges for effective parenting.
• High numbers of families headed by lone women experience poverty and disadvantage.

These and other social and economic conditions will have an impact on the needs of individuals, families and communities. These needs must be reflected in the type of services provided and the way in which they are delivered as Centacare continues to seek ways to:

• provide services that assist those in need;
• Focus on the prevention of further social need;
• Advocate for greater opportunity and fairer social structures.