Specialist Homelessness Services (SHS) provide assistance to people experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

Data are sourced from the AIHW Specialist homelessness services annual report, based on the Specialist Homelessness Services Collection (SHSC).

The SHSC collects data on SHS clients, including characteristics such as age, sex, housing outcomes and the services provided. The collection commenced in 2011–12, replacing the Supported Accommodation Assistance Program (SAAP) Client Collection.

Clients may be categorised into one or more ‘client groups’ based on their personal circumstances, as shown in this dashboard. As a result, ‘All clients’ does not equal the sum of all client groups. Rates are presented for client groups, with age-standardised rates used for First Nations clients.

See the AIHW Specialist homelessness services annual report for more information, including data quality notes. Data for this visualisation are drawn from the SHS historical data tables 2011–12 to 2024–25 (tables HIST.CLIENTS to HIST.ADF).