Food insecurity affects one-third of Australian households

A new Foodbank Hunger Report indicates that food insecurity is becoming entrenched in Australia, with one-third of all households—representing more than 3.5 million families—reporting they have skipped meals or lacked access to quality produce in the past year.

Rising fuel costs and general cost-of-living pressures are driving this increase. Foodbank chief Kylea Tink noted that the gap between those with food security and those without is widening, specifically noting that working-family incomes are increasingly insufficient to meet nutritional needs. High-risk groups include 18- to 34-year-olds and couples with children.

Data analysis from the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) survey suggests that severe food insecurity increased nationally by approximately 40% between 2020 and 2024. While single-parent families remain especially exposed, risks are rising across various demographics.

To address the crisis, advocates are calling for increased government support, such as raising youth allowances, pensions, and single-parent payments. Additionally, there is a push for direct, sustained funding for school breakfast programs, which have shown improved outcomes in states like New South Wales and Victoria.