Queensland family celebrate Christmas off the streets in Beachmere home

A Queensland family who have moved out of a tent and into a house are marking what might just be their best Christmas ever.

Brett Rodgers and Kylie Lewis had been homeless for six weeks and were forced to camp at Beachmere, north of Brisbane, with their four young children.

Mr Rodgers says had been struggling to find affordable accommodation, as many people did not want to rent to a large family on a tight budget.

But Christmas came early when they found a three-bedroom rental property at Beachmere.

'There's space for everyone and we're all so happy,' Mr Rodgers said.

'For the first time in 12 years, my 17-year-old daughter will come to live with us now we have a home.'

'Nothing could be better,' Ms Lewis said.

Christmas a tough time for homeless families

But the Queensland family is one of the lucky ones.

The Australian Council of Social Service says more than 12 per cent of the Australian population live below the poverty line and that the percentage is even higher in regional areas.

Founder of Caboolture charity Friends of the Street, Phill McLean, says his group supports about 28 homeless people in the area.

He says many sleep under bushes in parks hoping not to be moved on.

'We had one family living in a paper recycling dumpster and another sick elderly lady living under shrubs,' he said.

The group provides meals in a car park for people in need on Christmas Day.

Hampers and toys will also be delivered to about 80 families.

'We have a lot of mums and single dads coming in asking for toys as they can't afford Christmas,' he said.

Brisbane-based charity Street Swags has distributed more than 26,000 bed rolls across Australia for people living rough.

Organiser Jean Madden says 5,000 have been handed out this year alone and they never have enough.

She says the nation's poor are finding it tougher than ever and changes to government policies are not making it any easier.