The Hidden Price Tag: Why Some Aussies Pay More for the Same Life

Have you ever noticed that a bottle of "women's" moisturiser often costs more than the "men's" version next to it, even if what's inside is basically the same? In Australia, we call this the "Pink Tax." But for heaps of people in the LGBTQIA+ and Disabled communities, this isn't just about skincare. It's a constant, invisible extra charge on nearly everything they need to live.

Looking at the numbers, and the reality is pretty rough. For many Aussies, the "cost of living" isn't the same for everyone. It's way higher depending on who you are.

The "Disability Tax"

For the one in five Australians living with a disability, the price of just participating in everyday life is massive. It's not just about big things like wheelchairs or making your home accessible. Research from groups like NATSEM shows that people with a severe disability need to spend an extra $173 per week on average just to have the same quality of life as someone without a disability.

Here's what that looks like in real life. If a train station doesn't have a working lift, a person in a wheelchair might have to book an expensive accessible taxi instead. Healthcare adds up fast too, with frequent GP visits and specialist appointments where the "gap fees" pile on top of each other. Then there's energy costs. Someone who needs a powered medical device running all day or extra heating to manage chronic pain will watch their electricity bills go through the roof.

The Cost of Being Your True Self

For the LGBTQIA+ community, the extra cost often comes from needing specialist services. Because heaps of mainstream services aren't always inclusive or safe, people end up paying more for "rainbow-friendly" providers who actually get it.

For trans and gender-diverse Aussies, the costs are even more intense. Gender-affirming healthcare, like hormone therapy or surgery, often isn't fully covered by Medicare. This means people have to fork out thousands of dollars for essential healthcare that other people just get as standard. Even simple stuff like a haircut can be priced by "gender" rather than how long it actually takes. So a queer person with short hair might still get slugged with "women's" prices at a traditional salon.

Why Does This Happen?

It's rarely because a shopkeeper decides to be a jerk about it. It's a systemic problem. Most products and cities are designed for a "standard" person, which usually means able-bodied and cisgender. When you don't fit that mould, the world becomes way more expensive to get around in.

Companies know that niche products like adaptive clothing or specific binders don't have much competition, so they charge whatever they want. There's also what you might call the "safety premium." LGBTQIA+ people may pay more for housing in suburbs where they feel safe, or for private healthcare where they know they won't cop discrimination.

What Can We Do?

We need to start calling it out. Whether that's demanding that disability isn't treated as a business opportunity to overcharge people, or supporting brands that use gender-neutral pricing, every bit of noise helps.

In a country that prides itself on a "fair go," it's time we made sure that "fair" actually applies to the price tag, too.