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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.

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Areas of focus:

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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More Houses Needed

This report is a snapshot of the first three months of statewide operation of the Housing Connect Front Door service, delivered by Anglicare. Charts featured in the report show that the shortfall in social housing supply is growing. Calls on Tasmanian Government to urgently increase its investment in long-term social housing. Read More

Stretched Too Far Report

This report highlights the importance of ensuring all families have suitable and secure housing, nutritious and affordable food, and access to medical care. It reveals the cost-of-living crisis has pushed many low-income Tasmanian families into deeper disadvantage. It also shows a growing number of Tasmanian families seeking help because of mortgage stress. Read more

Unsafe and Unhoused

This report calls on governments to prioritise the North West region of Tasmania when allocating funding for supports to assist victim-survivors of domestic and family violence. Unsafe and Unhoused shows that the North West’s current shortage of affordable housing is compromising the safety of victim-survivors. It recommends funding for additional crisis accommodation in the region, and the delivery of more transitional and social housing suitable for people who have escaped domestic and family violence. Read more

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