Broke, Jobless & Losing My Family | Surviving On The Poverty Line

In the series finale, the attention shifts to the job market, as our three contributors experience the challenges of trying to find work and survive on an irregular pay-packet in this tough new era of employment in Australia. From applying for non-existent full-time jobs to small business owners having to work multiple menial and low-paying jobs to get by.

'Could You Survive On The Breadline?' explores three distinct Australian localities and communities, to see how those on welfare and low-incomes survive. The experience will be confronting and at times emotional but how will it change them?

Watch More Below

[jenniferh]

Everyone needs to watch this no matter where they are in life.

[vtech]

I work full time and earn about 80k a year supporting a family of three. I barely make ends meet because rent costs about $2000 a month alone. The thought of living on less than minimum wage is unimaginable to me.

[jodykeppler]

I take my hat off to these people that will do anything to live very proud of you guys

[darlenebattle]

If I didn't know any better, I would think Julie was trying to find work in NYC, the States! Back in 2020 I tried looking for work at 59 after not working for many years. Every company looked at me like I had lost my mind. I work out, I eat well, but when supervisors see your chronological age on paper, they feel in two months you'll limp in with a cane. That hurts.

This series is wonderful and shows me real life all over, how in one way or another we're all going through. Didn't think Australia was, though.

In the end, I had to take another route. I'm 62 now, so I'll be applying for social security. I may as well; I cannot find work and I have started in the job force at seventeen. 😂😂😂😂

P.S. I loved Julie's marriage proposal so she could land a job!! That was so comical!

[alexcarter]

I stopped going to the laundromat when the pandemic started. I got this plunger type thing and while they say to use it with a bucket, the real secret is to use it with one of those tall kitchen trash cans. It works pretty well. Saves me at about $40 a month over laundromats and ehh, the hassle factor's about the same, whether to load up the bike and go to the laundromat and pay or just do it at home for only the cost of some soap and softener. I hang the laundry up in my loft (I'm in a business building) and it drips at first but I used a large plastic bag and a very large cardboard tray to make a drip-catcher. It's a pretty good system.

[jamesmorgan]

A rude awakening and needed empathetic perspective regarding the plight and agony of those struggling to get by in today's socioeconomic world. Thank you.

[LynnRedwine]

Those three individuals REALLY put themselves out there to secure a reasonable paying job. Jenny was a bit annoying with all the "yeah, yeahs", but she put her ALL into this documentary. They all made a remarkable contribution. Life is not as easy for some and it is unfair. I could actually feel Calebs pride shine through after he finally got the hang of it and made $48.00. This documentary was quite informative and sad. I am grateful for all that I have and I will not worry about what I do not have. Thank you for the upload.

[kenny]

“The state is a f——ing bad landlord.” That resonates across the globe and definitely in the US as well. I felt that.

[HaloFlemz]

I'm on the breadline in Canada due to mental health issues. I got a job at 16 and worked 18 years till I got hurt. Im lucky I get enough but I've have a roof, bills and some food in the fridge but that's it. I knew 10 years ago I'd could never have kids, own a house, work 45 years. I have cut back so much to the point I never get any luxury. But I'm trying. I hope to get back to work next year. I lived in Australia back the late 90s and I heard my mom say to my dad who was the breadwinner and had a pretty good job that we were always 2 weeks away from being homeless, we had to move back to Canada a year later.

[Christ_Is_Life-]

Just imagine if you have a medical illness? It’s impossible to be self sufficient if you’re physically or mentally incapable of working multiple jobs. People have no choice to be on welfare to meet basic needs. I feel so blessed and grateful for God’s mercy for meeting my needs.

[debbieframpton]

I live in the United States I think as a country we are more fortunate than others.
I worked 21 years in a hardware store last earning 1380 an hour that enabled me to pay off a mortgage a car payment utilities put a small amount of money in a 401k and Roth IRA. I quit working in May of 2020 about the time covid hit and started drawing Social Security since my bills are low I'm able to put a set amount of money into savings every month but not many are that fortunate

[jeromehenry]

We need an American version of this video series. So many do not comprehend how generations can be trapped into poverty; there really is no bridge from poverty to job training if you are born in poverty.

Interesting to see Caleb's expressions when he has to actually do physical labor instead of just pontificating to the lower classes. Notice how quickly he dropped housekeeping and chose delivery instead. Delivery is actually much more dangerous like dodging vehicles, inclement weather, not enough deliveries to do, etc. Housekeeping was inside so he wouldn't need to worry about all those dangers/obstacles, but he chose delivery because it wasn't as much a "threat" to his sense of being a man.

[dragonwarrioroffire]

The way Caleb changed his tune after first hand experience is cool. The system truely does need to change

[jackiedorman]

I worked 2 jobs when we needed it. Best job ever was cleaning houses. The ladies I worked for were great. They made me feel special and part of the family. Some had kids and l would babysit. Miss them so much. I I've had many jobs but l cannot work due to illness. , love working

[emybarker]

I love the quote “ the only way to be experienced is get experience”The millennial problem of 2000’s when picking minimum wage work

[CandycaneBeyond]

30:53 i spent 20 years working 2 jobs. Always on the border of the line where they would give me assistance. Raised 2 kids. My husband had 2 jobs as well. The idea of minimum wage being so low is ridiculous. Compared to what executives and higher-ups make is to disgrace, they need to cut it down

[nmesis]

Is heartbreaking to see so many people struggle, working hard everyday to get nowhere, my heart goes out to them. Is like running on a treadmill, you run so fast but never move forward.

[lynnlewis]

After I was divorced I had to move back home with my mom because on the minimum wage I was making I couldn't afford to rent even a 1 bedroom apartment and I had my son to take care of too. After a few years I was able to get into HUD housing into a 2 bedroom apartment. And the apartment I was living in I had to deal with cockroaches coming in my apartment from other apartments in the same building.

[pamelariley]

America is like this as well. My success came from never giving up. You can never give up . One day, it will pay off. ❤️

[MFortunes]

Does OZ not have job centers? Job centers have job listings, computer/printer access, counselors for career advice and a social setting. It's a good community asset.