One in five Australian private renters are living without two or more essential items, according to a new joint study released by peak body the Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS), and the University of New South Wales.

The study also found that of those Australians renting 22 per cent are living below the poverty line, as the nation's dual housing affordability and cost of living crises continues.

For those Australians who are renting social housing, that number is more than 50 per cent, the study released exclusively to 7.30 found.

The report showed that a number of renters are at risk of material deprivation, along with several Australian groups on welfare payments, including JobSeeker, Youth Allowance, the parenting payment, and the disability support pension.

The group also includes sole parent families and First Nations people as struggling significantly with multiple material deprivation.

Chief executive of ACOSS Cassandra Goldie told 7.30 the report painted a concerning picture.

"This report paints a very grim picture in terms of deprivation for large numbers of people on low incomes across the country," Dr Goldie said.

"What this report shines a light on is that people are going without the basic essentials of life.

"Things like food, housing, medical attention when you need it, being able to get your teeth fixed.

"We're [also] very worried about the rates of evictions all over the country with rents going up, people in the private rental market, if you're on JobSeeker,  there is literally nowhere that's affordable for you to live."

These kinds of really basic community standards about what you would consider to be essential to live with basic dignity and be able to be out in the community in a way with some level of respect.

Material deprivation exists when people do not have and cannot afford items or activities widely regarded as essential for participating fully in a society.

Examples include when people cannot afford a secure home, warm clothes and bedding, medical and dental treatment, medicines, a roof and gutters that don't leak, children being able to go on school excursions, hobbies, a washing machine, separate bed for each child in a family, internet access, insurance and at least $500 in emergency savings.

In households of working age not in the labour force and households renting privately, at least 20 per cent are deprived of two or more items, the study found.

Those renting social housing are at least five times more likely than the general population to lack one or more of half of all the essential items.

A report published last week showed that renters in Sydney and Perth were on average spending more than 30 per cent of their income towards rent.

Dr Goldie told 7.30 that Australians on welfare were among the most at risk.

"People receiving income support are experiencing multiple material deprivation at rates that far exceed the general population," Dr Goldie said.

"This tells us that JobSeeker, Youth Allowance and related payments are so woefully low that people can't afford the basic essentials of life.

"People on JobSeeker, they're 14 times more likely to be going regularly without a substantial meal a day.

"Food has become a discretionary item.

"Our colleagues at Foodbank released their hunger report a couple of weeks ago, and with were so alarmed to see the increase in the rates, three million people, experiencing food insecurity in, let's be clear, one of the wealthiest countries in the world."

Dr Goldie called on the government to do more to fix issues related to wealth inequality.

"The extremely high rate of people with low wealth (81 per cent) among people with incomes below the poverty line who are experiencing multiple deprivation shows the important role that wealth plays as a protection against poverty," she said in a statement.

"The federal government must raise income support payments to liveable levels, fix employment services, boost social housing and enact a jobs, services and training plan to reduce long-term unemployment. These policies will go a long way to reducing poverty and material deprivation across Australia."

Dr Goldie also called for the rate of JobSeeker, currently at $56 per day, to be brought in line with that of the pension at $82 per day.

That was echoed by Mission Australia chief executive Sharon Callister.

"Without urgent action, more people across Australia will be left behind and at risk of homelessness." Ms Callister said.

"Mission Australia calls for an increase in JobSeeker and other income support to $82 a day and a 60 per cent boost to the maximum threshold of Commonwealth Rent Assistance."