Client group comparisons

The Specialist Homelessness Services Annual Report 2024–25 summarises the characteristics of clients receiving support from specialist homelessness services throughout 2024–25. This page enables users to interact with visualisations to compare different client cohorts receiving support from specialist homelessness services (SHS). Select drop-down filters on each visualisation to examine specific client groups. For further information on each visualisation, hover over the ⓘ icon.

Data presented on this page are based on ‘client groups’. Definitions and more detailed data insights for each client group can be found in the sections under the ‘About’ menu in the above report. Note that an individual may be in more than one client group.

Client demographics

Client groups differ by age and whether they have received SHS support since July 2011. Select any two client groups in the figure to see differences in age distribution and client type (Figure 1).

Figure 1: Number of SHS clients, by SHS client groups, age group and client new/returning status, 2024–25

Butterfly chart shows children and young people aged 18–24 receiving support alone were more likely to be returning clients compared with all SHS clients aged 18–24.

Butterfly chart shows children and young people aged 18–24 receiving support alone were more likely to be returning clients compared with all SHS clients aged 18–24.

Main reason for seeking assistance

The SHSC includes information about clients’ reasons for services. The client’s reasons for seeking assistance at the start of support – both the main reason for seeking support and all reasons for seeking support are collected. Where multiple reasons are provided, clients identify their main reason for seeking assistance. For further information see Clients’ reasons for assistance. Figure 2 groups main reasons for seeking assistance into 5 groups – Health, Financial, Accommodation, Interpersonal relationships, and Other. Select any number of client groups in the figure to see the differences in the main reasons for seeking support from SHS agencies.

Figure 2: SHS client groups, by main reason for seeking assistance, sex and client new/returning status, 2024–25

Stacked column chart shows accommodation was the most common reason most client groups sought assistance.

Stacked column chart shows accommodation was the most common reason most client groups sought assistance.

Services needed and provided

Across all client groups, some clients who approached SHS agencies did not receive all the services they required. This is referred to as clients' unmet need for services. Several factors may contribute to agencies not providing assistance, including:

  • The client seeking a specialised service not offered by that particular agency
  • The agency not having the capacity to provide assistance at that time, and/or
  • The client not being in the target group for the agency.

For clients who receive support, services range from the direct provision of accommodation (such as a bed in a shelter) to more specialised services such as counselling and legal support. These services are generally either provided directly to the client by the agency, or the client is referred to another agency for support. For more information see Services provided and unmet need. More detailed services needed and provided data are also available in each of the client groups sections under the ‘About’ menu of this report. Select any number of client groups in the figure to see the differences in services provided, referred, or not provided when clients were in need of that service.  

Figure 3: SHS clients groups, by services needed and provided, 2024–25

Stacked bar chart shows among all client groups assistance for general services was the most provided service.

Stacked bar chart shows among all client groups assistance for general services was the most provided service.

Housing situation at the start and end of support

The housing situation of all clients of specialist homelessness services are considered to be either homeless or at risk of homelessness. Housing circumstances are from the client's type of residence, tenure, and conditions of occupancy at the beginning of their first support period in the financial year and can be compared with the end of the last support period in the financial year. For more information see Housing situation and outcomes.

Client groups differ in terms of the proportion of clients who start and end support homeless. Figure 4 illustrates the change in housing situation at the start and end of support for each cohort; the size of the circles relates to the size of the cohort group. The comparative differences in housing situations at the start and end of support, may highlight different challenges experienced by specific cohorts.

Figure 4: Housing situation for SHS clients with closed support, by SHS client groups, 2024–25

Slope chart shows a smaller proportion of clients across most client groups were homeless at the end of support compared to when they started support, with the exception of clients exiting custody and clients leaving care.

Slope chart shows a smaller proportion of clients across most client groups were homeless at the end of support compared to when they started support, with the exception of clients exiting custody and clients leaving care.