Families in Australia Survey: Life during COVID-19

Life during COVID-19 is AIFS’ first Families in Australia Survey. The survey ran from 1 May to 9 June 2020, with 7,306 participants.

The survey’s aim was to paint a picture of how everyday Australians coped with and adjusted to the Coronavirus pandemic, one of the greatest health, social and economic challenges in world history.

We asked Australian families to tell us how their lives had changed since the COVID-19 pandemic. What challenges they faced? What support would help? How they adapted to the new ways of living.

Six reports from the survey were published, from June to September 2020 (see Publications, below).

The insights drawn from the Families in Australia Survey were shared with the general public and with non-government and government agencies, to help them develop the supports that families need.

Businessman withdrawing cash from a bank's ATM

Research report

Life during COVID-19: Financial wellbeing and COVID-19

This report explores people's responses to the financial impact of COVID-19 and their concerns about their current and future financial situations.

Close up stock photo of a woman kneading dough

Research report

Life during COVID-19: What we did during lockdown

This report looks at how COVID-19 affected our recreational and 'spare time' activities and how we spent time with our family, alone and with others.

Father and daughter using tablet

Research report

Life during COVID-19: Dads spend more quality time with kids

This report shows how due to the COVID-19 pandemic many dads were available to spend more time with their kids than usual.

Mature man wearing protection mask, unloading grocery from car trunk

Research report

Life during COVID-19: Help and support

This report looks at how we helped, and were helped by relatives, friends, community groups and professionals during the pandemic.

Senior man reading on this tablet at home

Research report

Life during COVID-19: Staying connected when we're apart

This report focusses on how Australian families stayed connected when physically separated during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Young mother working on her computer with her daughters playing on their mobile devices

Research report

Life during COVID-19: Early findings report

This report contains early findings from a major survey that ran May-June 2020, exploring how Australian families coped with the COVID19 pandemic.