Social Action Research Centre

At the Social Action Research Centre (SARC), we contribute to building a more just Tasmania.

This means we listen, collaborate, research, advocate and educate. We carry out research and work for changes that will reduce poverty and disadvantage.

We listen to the views and experiences of people in local communities. We also hear from frontline workers.

We share what we learn with others – including decision-makers in government. Our research is available free of charge.

Areas of focus:

Child, Youth and Family Wellbeing
Healthy Ageing
Housing security
Financial Wellbeing

Our most recent reports

Research and Publications

Rental Affordability Snapshot

Unsafe and Unhoused

Stretched Too Far

Housing Connect Front Door Snapshot

The poker machine card. Simple As.

Policy Brief: EGM Harm Reduction Options

Our Ethical Framework

SARC has high ethical standards for our research. We conduct our research with honesty, integrity and respect.

Anglicare Tasmania seeks approval from a registered Human Research Ethics Committee for all research involving participants.

Major research projects are overseen by a reference group that is consulted about ethical safeguards.

Areas of Focus: Financial Wellbeing

A public health approach to ensure the financial wellbeing of all Tasmanians is essential.

We know through our research and support services that harms to financial wellbeing cost many people their health, relationships, jobs and homes.

Gambling causes significant harm to many Tasmanians. A universal card system for poker machines is an effective measure to reduce harm, and this reform is recommended by Anglicare.

Buy Now Pay Later services are also harming Tasmanians who are vulnerable or on low incomes. We support the regulation of these credit services to reduce harm.

Our research can help government with decisions about policy, systems and services to improve the financial wellbeing of Tasmanians.

Read Policy Brief: EGM Harm Reduction Options 'Stretched too Far: Children and families surviving the cost-of-living crisis in Tasmania.' Report. Survival Mode: The daily challenge of living on a low income in Tasmania 'The poker machine card. Simple as.' Report Buy Now, Struggle Later? Gambling - What's the real cost? Publications

Areas of Focus: Child, Youth and Family Wellbeing

The wellbeing of children, young people and their families is important to us.

But in Tasmania, many measures of wellbeing are declining and some children, young people and families are experiencing significant problems. Our research can inform decisions about policy, systems and service improvements to help them.

Unsafe and Unhoused Unaccompanied Homeless Children Better, Bigger, Stronger Young, in love and in danger Anglicare Services Publications

Areas of Focus: Housing Security

We believe that everyone has a right to a home.

Housing options for low-income Tasmanians are limited due to a shortage of affordable rentals and social housing in our State.

Homelessness has a significant impact on health and wellbeing. It also affects educational outcomes and makes it harder to find and keep a job.

Our research highlights the importance of affordable housing as essential infrastructure.

Rental Affordability Snapshot Housing Connect Front Door Snapshot Unsafe and Unhoused Policy brief: Housing security for older Tasmanians The Right to Belong Research Project Waiting for social housing Publications

Areas of Focus: Healthy Ageing

Tasmania has an important interest in supporting people to age well at home. About one-fifth of Tasmanians are aged 65 or over, and higher in rural areas.

Our research can help our state with decisions about policy, systems and services for older Tasmanians.

Policy brief: Housing security for older Tasmanians The Right to Belong Research Project Treasured Lives

Latest publications

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Housing is essential for mental health

A snapshot of the first 12 months of Anglicare operating the Housing Connect Front Door service statewide on behalf of Homes Tasmania. Over this period the Front Door responded to 48,662 enquiries for housing support. The Snapshot identified that 45% of people seeking housing support had a mental health issue. People need housing certainty and security; their mental health improves and it supports their recovery. This has positive flow-on effects for family members including children, and for the wider community. Read More

Rental Affordability Snapshot 2025

The annual Rental Affordability Snapshot found that the number of affordable rentals has declined since last year, with a 25% drop in listings and record low vacancy rates in all regions. The lack of affordable rental properties is pushing Tasmanians into financial stress or homelessness. Read more

Options for reducing harm from Electronic Gaming Machines in Tasmania

Electronic Gaming Machines (EGMs) are the most harmful form of gambling in Tasmania. On 19 November 2024, the Tasmanian Government announced that ‘a range of harm minimisation measures will be progressed to reduce the harm associated with EGMs while the Government defers progress on a mandatory pre-commitment card’. This paper canvasses the available options and their capacity to reduce and minimise gambling harm. Read more