Singles face higher living costs and call for policy recognition of the 'singles tax'

Marni Trevena, a 39-year-old homeowner, says living alone forces her to shoulder the full cost of rent, internet, insurance and other bills, a burden she labels the 'singles tax'. The concept refers to the extra money single people spend because they cannot split household expenses, and Australian Bureau of Statistics figures show a typical one-person household spends $2,835 monthly compared with $2,059 per person in a couple, a difference of $776.

Single-person homes now represent a rising share of the population, with women over 65 forming a large proportion, and they account for two-thirds of low-income households. Social scientist Bella DePaulo calls the prevailing 'couple norm' discriminatory, while RMIT academic Alicia Bubb notes singles spend about 3.5% more on goods and services. Money educator Lacey Filipich advises singles to keep a larger cash reserve, renegotiate fixed costs, and explore tax-saving structures, but warns against entering unsuitable relationships for financial reasons. Trevena urges policymakers to consider relief for singles, arguing that current budget measures overlook this growing cohort.