One in three Australian households facing food insecurity, Foodbank finds

Cost-of-living crisis drives 3.6 million households to skip meals, cut essentials

By LineZotpaper AI staff

Published25 October 2026

Read Time2 min

Sources3 outlets

New research from Foodbank reveals that one in three Australian households experienced food insecurity over the past year, as rising prices for petrol, meat and milk stretch household budgets. The survey of almost 6000 people found 3.6 million households struggled to access sufficient nourishing food, with renters, young people, Indigenous families and those with young children hardest hit.

The charity's annual report, to be released Monday, shows 33 per cent of households met the United Nations definition of food insecurity over the past 12 months, a slight increase from 32.8 per cent in 2025 but still below the 2023 peak of 35.9 per cent. Foodbank Australia chief executive and former independent MP Kylea Tink said hunger had become "part of the Australian story".

"We call ourselves the lucky country, but for one in three households, Australia is now the hungry country," she said. "A wage used to be what kept food on the table, but for a growing number of working Australians, their pay packet no longer stretches that far."

The research found stark demographic divides. Almost half of households headed by people aged 18-34 reported food insecurity, compared with 19 per cent of those over 55. Forty-five per cent of households with children were affected, and 57 per cent of Indigenous households. Regional areas (36 per cent) fared worse than metropolitan areas (32 per cent).

Among middle-income households earning between $33,800 and $90,999, 37 per cent experienced food insecurity, a sign the cost-of-living crisis is reaching beyond low-income groups.

To cope, 70 per cent of food-insecure households had cut driving or used cheaper transport, two-thirds reduced spending on personal care and haircuts, and half cut food portions or ingredients. 47 per cent reduced spending on cleaning or personal care goods such as soap, shampoo and toothpaste. Only 4 per cent of food-insecure households reported no change in spending habits.

Inflation data due this week is expected to show ongoing price pressure on essentials. Last week, Reserve Bank deputy governor Andrew Hauser noted that while mortgage holders were hurt by rate rises, low-income earners and renters bore the brunt of high inflation. The Foodbank survey confirmed 51 per cent of renters suffered food insecurity.

The charity is urging the federal government to establish a national minimum standard for school breakfast programs.

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Households experiencing food insecurity in Australia, by year

% of households

Based on UN definition of food insecurity Source: Foodbank annual report

Analysis

Why This Matters

Food insecurity affects physical and mental health, children's development and educational outcomes for millions of Australians.
The findings suggest the cost-of-living crisis is now entrenched, hitting not just the poorest but also middle-income working households.
With inflation data due this week and the Reserve Bank considering another rate hike, pressure on household budgets is likely to intensify.

Background

Foodbank is one of Australia's largest food relief charities, sourcing and distributing food to thousands of community agencies. Its annual survey provides a key measure of food security across the country. The current cost-of-living crisis, driven by high inflation in essentials such as fuel, meat and dairy, has forced many households to choose between food, transport, heating and personal care. The RBA has raised interest rates repeatedly to curb spending, but deputy governor Andrew Hauser recently acknowledged that the pain is concentrated among renters and low-income Australians who lack mortgage buffers.

Key Perspectives

Kylea Tink, Foodbank Australia chief executive: "We call ourselves the lucky country, but for one in three households, Australia is now the hungry country. ... A wage used to be what kept food on the table, but for a growing number of working Australians, their pay packet no longer stretches that far."
Andrew Hauser, Reserve Bank deputy governor: Last week said that while interest rate increases were hitting mortgage holders, people on low incomes, including renters, were in worse financial health because they had no mortgage buffer and faced the full force of high inflation.

What to Watch

Consumer price index data due this week will show whether inflation in essentials continues to accelerate.
The Reserve Bank board meets early next month; another rate hike could further squeeze renters and low-income households.
Global oil prices above US$110 a barrel are likely to push petrol prices higher, adding to transport and food costs.

Sources

A third of households struggling to feed themselves · The Sydney Morning Herald
A third of households struggling to feed themselves · Brisbane Times
A third of households struggling to feed themselves · WAtoday

Checked

12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 7 supported.

Show each claim

SupportedOne in three Australian households faced food insecurity, according to Foodbank.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “A third of Australian households reported suffering from food insecurity over the past year.”
Partly supportedThe cost-of-living crisis drove 3.6 million households to skip meals and cut essentials.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “many people are reducing meal portions to make ends meet.”
Supported3.6 million households struggled to access sufficient nourishing food.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “The research by Foodbank, to be released on Monday, shows 3.6 million households are suffering “food insecurity”.”
SupportedTink said hunger had become “part of the Australian story”.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: ““Sadly, hunger has become part of the Australian story.””
SupportedTink said, “A wage used to be what kept food on the table, but for a growing number of working Australians, their pay packet no longer stretches that far.”Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: ““A wage used to be what kept food on the table, but for a growing number of working Australians, their pay packet no longer stretches that far,” Tink said.”
Not in the sourcesThe charity’s annual report is due to be released Monday.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “The research by Foodbank, to be released on Monday, shows 3.6 million households are suffering “food insecurity”.”
SupportedFood insecurity affected 33 per cent of households, up slightly from 32.8 per cent in 2025 and below 35.9 per cent in 2023.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “It found 33 per cent of households experienced food security over the past 12 months – a slight increase on the 32.8 per cent found in 2025 but still well short of the 35.9 per cent discovered in 2023.”
Partly supportedRenters, young people, Indigenous families and households with young children were hardest hit.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “The highest insecurity rate was among Indigenous households at 57 per cent. Households in regional areas (36 per cent) had a higher insecurity rate than people living in metropolitan areas (32 per cent).”
SupportedAmong middle-income households earning $33,800 to $90,999, 37 per cent experienced food insecurity.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “Among middle income households with incomes between $33,800 and $90,999, 37 per cent reported food insecurity.”
Reports differSeventy per cent of food-insecure households cut driving or used cheaper transport.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “While 41 per cent of households with secure food access had cut driving, 70 per cent of those in food security had done so.”
Partly supportedHauser said low-income earners and renters bore the brunt of high inflation.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “Last week, Reserve Bank deputy governor Andrew Hauser said that while interest rate increases were hitting people with a mortgage, they were in much better financial health than people on low incomes, including renters who were being hurt by high inflation.”
SupportedFifty-one per cent of renters suffered food insecurity.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “The Foodbank survey confirmed the hit to renters, of whom 51 per cent said they were in food insecurity.”