Foodbank Hunger Report 2025

One in three Australian households, nearly 3.5 million, experienced food insecurity in the past 12 months. This is a slight increase on last year’s results (3.4 million households). Despite targeted government efforts such as one-off energy bill subsides, cost-of-living remains the number one concern for 87% of households. This jumps to 91% for food insecure households, who are also increasingly concerned about the cost of healthcare, up 4% on the same time last year.

This year’s report highlights a significant lag between economic and household-level recovery. Whilst positive signs of economic recovery are being observed at the macro level, the same cannot be said at the household level, particularly for those experiencing severe food insecurity.

Household finances remain under pressure with just 1 in 5 (21%) Australian households reporting that they are living comfortably on their current income, while more than 1 in 3 (36%) are finding it difficult or very difficult to make ends meet.

Of particular concern is that 61% of food insecure households are severely affected, meaning they are compromising on nutrition, actively skipping meals or in some cases, going entire days without eating. This has unfortunately not improved in the last 12 months.

The pressure is reshaping household diets. Almost half of severely food insecure households report reducing their purchases of fresh fruit and vegetables, protein, and other essentials. Even among moderately food insecure households, almost one in three have been forced to cut back on the similar core items such as fresh produce in order to cope with rising costs.

Worryingly, many Australians don’t feel confident that things will improve any time soon. Almost half of all households (46%) believe their financial situation will stay the same over the next year, a view held mostly by those already living comfortably. But for households who are already struggling, the outlook is far more worrying. Nearly one in two (49%) households that are currently finding it difficult or very difficult, expect things to get even harder, especially as housing costs continue to climb and eat into already stretched budgets.

This year’s report paints a bleak picture in the broader context of Australia’s housing crisis, particularly the rental market, where the connection between housing stress and food insecurity has become more pronounced.

2025 saw the average price of residential dwellings pass the $1 million mark ¹ , highlighting the nation’s housing affordability crisis. The combination of housing unaffordability and unavailability is impacting food insecurity in Australia in ways never seen before. The rate of food insecurity amongst renters remains high at almost 1 in 2 (48%). There has been a significant increase in households citing “changes in my household/living arrangements” as a reason for their food insecurity (now 29%, up from 25% in 2024). This is partly driven by a notable rise in households that have had to move residence numerous times in the past year.

For single-parent families – one of the hardest hit groups – the situation has become even tougher. Many point to changes in their housing or living arrangements, like moving house or rising rent, as a key reason they’re struggling more than the average food insecure household.

For the nearly one-in-three (30%) Australian households who rent, the housing climate over the past few years presents a landscape of unrelenting financial strain.

For households experiencing food insecurity, keeping a roof over their heads has to come first. They know that falling behind on rent or mortgage payments has far more serious long-term consequences than cutting back on food.

Nearly 7 in 10 (67%) households that include a person with a disability or health issue now experience food insecurity, with three quarters of those in the severe category. These households are significantly more likely than other food insecure households to cite the following as contributing factors:

• Increased/high living expenses (e.g. for food and housing);
• reduced or low income and/or government funding; and/or
• limited access or the ability to travel and get food.

These results suggest that households including people with a disability and/or health issues are suffering the consequences of compounding issues of housing unaffordability, insufficient income or income support, and food accessibility.

There has been positive progress when it comes to community awareness of food relief. More households now know where to turn if they can’t afford enough to eat, with awareness reaching a record 53% this year, a big jump from just 34% in 2023.

However, knowing where to get help doesn’t always mean people access it. 43% of households experiencing food insecurity have ever used formal food relief, and just 1 in 4 (25%) did so in the past year, similar to in 2024. Despite growing awareness and efforts to reduce stigma, many people still hold back due to a sense of shame or stigma attached. Almost half (45%) feel embarrassed or ashamed to ask for help, while 35% worry that others are in greater need. A lack of clarity around eligibility or how to access support is another barrier, leaving too many households going without the assistance they need.