Struggle Street

Poverty and social disadvantage are things we usually associate with the Third World. But in areas of western Sydney - on the margins of Australia’s most affluent city - thousands of families and individuals are struggling to get by.

S1.E1 00:00
Ashley, whose health stopped him driving trucks, shows how to make a few dollars by driving around looking for scrap metal. Erin's former house gets trashed, and William shows how he can get a meal using a slingshot accurately.

S1.E2 50:30
Chris's mother had him taken from her, and he grew up in foster homes. He now finds himself back in Mt Druitt. Five tries to give something back to the others, and there are some support services - if only more people knew how to find them.

S1.E3 01:40:27
Michelle's kids are the most important thing in her life. Ashley is diagnosed with dementia, but it doesn't stop him evicting his drug addicted son from the family home.

S2.E1 02:28:46
We meet those from diverse backgrounds facing a range of challenges, from unemployment to addiction and a lack of housing. Single mother Norma is facing homelessness, and Kiwi shelter residents Jarrod and Sharon battle to overcome addiction.

S2.E2 03:20:04
Nick is in trouble after the closure of the Melbourne Ford plant. Tamara is the victim of a vocational training loan scam. Allan racks up over $30,000 in payday loans, and police are sent in to remove Norma and her family from their home.

S2.E3 04:15:08
Michael is at war with his brother, trying to deal with their mother's will. Allan tries to get his new landscaping business running but faces money problems. Jarrod and Sharon are at breaking point as they battle to stay clean from drugs.

S2.E4 05:10:42
Sue's told she has four weeks to leave her home, facing the prospect of homelessness. Jarrod and Sharon agree to part ways in an attempt to clean up their lives. And things are looking up for Michael. He's about to get a new set of teeth.

S2.E5 06:03:16
Jarrod and his two eldest children are on the streets and need emergency assistance. Sue is battling housing authorities as she attempts to find alternative accommodation, and Michelle and Jess are coming to terms with life in poverty.

S2.E6 06:53:06
Michael has a financial windfall and decides to indulge his passion of music. Josh and Monica have been sleeping rough after Josh's release from jail and can't find anyone who'll rent to them. Meanwhile, Jess finds an escape in her art.

S3.E1 07:47:37
Individuals and families living in Riverina, New South Wales share the struggles they are dealing with, including homelessness, drought and a crime wave sweeping through parts of Wagga Wagga.

[joalltaeuber]

This is a must-watch documentary series. Seriously, its funny, it's sad, its thrilling, its deranged. A roller-coaster of a ride that has it all. All the other 'reality' shows or documentaries about Aussie culture pale into comparison. I can't recommend this highly enough. I've lived in places like this and it's not isolated. Every part of Oz has this culture somewhere.

[JLYT]

They made us watch these in year 11.. almost 12 years ago and they've stuck with me all this time. I truly believe this documentary in part shaped how i treat/view people

[winter]

Michael's story stood out for me. He has the most beautiful spirit. I hope he keeps that vibrant, kind and hopeful soul through all of the hard times life throws us.

[frankenweeny]

Watching this makes me appreciate my life even more

[DashFourteen]

"Everything is temporary in this silly world" that quote from Michael was felt

[julzjenkins]

Would be awesome to have a where they are now episode. I absolutely love Michael hes funny as . An I hope Jared and he'd family are in a good an healthy place . To the awesome whanua who run the Koha shead much love to you❤ love from New Zealand 🇳🇿

[Danielle-upyw]

No one knows that many people are only two pay slips away from this life. I was a nurse, gave up work to care for my disabled children. Lost my marriage, my house and my children. Poverty is not a personal choice, it is a government choice. I am now 52 and severely disabled myself, on jobseeker with 0-7 hours job capacity, yet the DSP is very difficult to claim now.

[songbird]

I felt so sorry for trinity having to deal with parents like hers poor girl I hope she’s doing a lot better now

[technomickdocumentalist]

This looks fantastic, me being from the tough north east of England, I can identify myself with these people, frugal and inventive etc, rough as a badgers arse but salt of the earth. 💯🙏💪

[Richard-sshr]

William hunting birds had me going.
Every shot he missed.
Has he eaten yet 😂😂😂😂

[enGINeeringChic]

I'm from the US. I just have to say... These issues are actually worldwide... Or Universal.... Or common amongst low-income human communities. Yep. I have lived amongst these people since 2002. Even though I have never had enough money to afford a plane ticket all the way to Aussie. The way they talk. The attitude. Just the general atmosphere... So sadly familiar.😢 Same words... Just spoken with a diff accent...

[edenjs]

So much love and morals throughout these episodes and that is despite all the misfortune, abuse, drugs, mental health, disease, stress, death, lack of council/local/government help and more. Respect where it is due and hoping life improved for so many of the participants....

[tristanmason]

I knew Norma and crew would totally fold. All talk no fight.

[DaveC.]

I grew up a stone throw away from Mt druit the majority of family still live in Mt druit,
it's definitely gotten better then it used too be. I made the dission to move away after 30 years it was the best thing I could have done I've increased my life span by 10 years

[jasonstone]

Trinity you are such an amazing person and have a beautiful soul....you are going to go far in life and also your brother

[sebconadis]

2:57:48 it’s absolutely gut wrenching I couldn’t even fathom the way she would have felt at the time. Losing four of her babies so young. May they all be resting in paradise. Norma deserves nothing but the best. ❤

[TheImprovementMachine]

Thank you so much for posting this, I have been wanting to watch the full program for years, god bless you!

[slushpuppi]

Michaels story really hit me the most, all the VBs in Victoria couldn't of made me do what he done or the courage 💪💪 I really hope him and his four legged companions are okay and safe 💚💙💜

[WendyHannan-ptez]

I love Jessica and her mother, I hope Jessica received the medical treatment she so needed . She’s such a sweet young woman, she’s lucky to have a beautiful supportive mother. Barry and Rosie have it very tough, so hard for farmers in Australia today.

[GodlyCarnage]

The guy buying the artwork was a legend. So much stuff I want to say about this series. I hope they are all doing well and thank you. Really helped me. I’d love to see another series seeing how everything worked out for them.