9 Days Living as Poor People | Could You Survive Below the Poverty Line

Three prominent Australians will go on separate immersive journeys into three distinct Australian localities and communities, to gain insights into the world of poverty and disadvantage in Australia, and to see whether they themselves could survive on welfare and low-incomes. Some of the contributors will have pre-existing views of those who live on welfare; others may be in positions to influence welfare policy. Across three episodes, they’ll ask some tough questions, and test some commonly-held beliefs. They’ll also have their own views challenged - but how will the experience change them? In Episode One, our three contributors will be forced to hand over their credit cards, and forgot all access to their current lives. They’ll travel separately to three different parts of New South Wales where they’ll live for the next nine days. From a disadvantaged inner-city community, to the outer suburbs and a regional area, they’ll have to navigate life on various forms of welfare. They’ll discover first-hand what things people are forced to live without - things like proper heating, secure and safe accommodation, adequate health care and a decent diet. Series: Could You Survive on the Breadline? Episode 1 Cast: Jenny Leong, Julie Goodwin, and Caleb Bond