I found this article very informative even though a bit long.   Heaven help us when this lot get out of jail.

Note the reference to a "disability pension and public housing".  

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/we-look-back-at-the-origins-of-the-brothers-4-life-gang-a-group-with-little-regard-for-the-law/story-fni0cx12-1226799712521