Foodbank Hunger Report 2025 Media Release

Hunger in Australia hits breaking point:
Foodbank calls on Federal Government to act now
to stop Australians going hungry

Wednesday 5 November 2025 – One in three Australian households, or 3.5 million households, experienced food insecurity in the past 12 months, according to the Foodbank Hunger Report 2025, released today. The report paints a stark picture of widening food insecurity across the nation, debunking the myth that hunger only affects the unemployed or homeless.

“While we dismiss hunger as something that only impacts the most vulnerable in our community, this year’s Foodbank Hunger Report shows households of all stripes, from those that are employed, are renting or have mortgages to those, raising children, or living with disability, neighbours, friends and family we all know – are reporting food insecurity as a fact of life for them.

This is not a fringe issue. Appallingly, hunger is mainstream in Australia right now. Our federal government must act,” said Foodbank Australia CEO, Kylea Tink.

The Foodbank Hunger Report 2025 reveals that cost-of-living pressures remain the number one concern for 91% of food-insecure households, followed by housing and the broader economy. Behind the data are the real stories of families forced to skip meals so children can eat, workers going hungry to pay rising rents, and people living with disability or illness struggling to put food on the table.

Among the report’s most alarming findings:

One in two (48%) of all renting households have experienced food insecurity in the past year.

Seven in ten (67%) of households that include someone with a disability or health issue have experienced food insecurity in the past 12 months, with three quarters of them in the severe category.
Nearly 7 in 10 (68%) single-parent households are now food insecure
One in five households earning $91,000 or more experienced food insecurity in the past 12 months.

“Food insecurity doesn’t discriminate,” said Ms Tink. “Australians are doing everything right: working, budgeting, seeking help – yet still going hungry. This is a failure of policy, not people. We need coordinated, national action now.”

Foodbank Australia is urgently calling on the Federal Government to:

Adopt the National Food Donation Tax Incentive: A smart and proven way to make it cost effective and easier for farmers, growers and manufacturers to donate edible, surplus produce to food relief organisations instead of sending it to landfill. A simple, fix that would see good food end up in bellies, not bins.
An immediate cash injection of $5 million in MYEFO to assist with natural disaster preparedness including:

Sourcing key staples needed by both first responders and communities affected by natural disasters as quickly as possible. This includes bottled water, long life products, cleaning and household products.
Locking in pre-deployment warehouse / distribution locations in areas renown for natural disasters: such as Far North Queensland, Darwin, northern WA – to ensure urgent food relief can be accessed when arterial roadways and train lines are cut off.
Locking in transportation for far and wide distribution.

“Food insecurity doesn’t happen in isolation – it’s a combination of a debilitating and incessant cost of living crisis, slow-growing wages struggling, inflationary pressure, unaffordable housing, and an inadequate safety net. Food insecurity can be eradicated, but the Federal Government must step up, lead and take smart action to ensure Australians are not going hungry,” said Ms Tink.

“Right now, it’s cheaper for many food producers to throw away perfectly good food, rather than donate it. This is madness when millions of Australians are going without meals.

A National Food Donation Tax Incentive is a not a radical suggestion, rather, independent modelling shows it would deliver enough food for the equivalent of 100 million meals, save producers and businesses money, and help to halve food waste by 2030.”

With the recently released National Climate Risk Assessment painting a grim picture about the escalating impacts of severe weather events on Australian communities, Foodbank Australia is also urging the government to not only recognise food relief as a critical, ongoing pillar of disaster preparedness but to ensure the funds are supplied to ensure talk turns into action.

“When disaster strikes, Foodbank provides emergency supplies, food, water and cleaning products to impacted communities and first responders. But the need doesn’t end when the flames or floods subside. Economic hardship lingers long after the clean-up, and Foodbank continues working with communities to help people get back on their feet. We need urgent funding to support these communities in the years it takes to rebuild,” said Ms Tink.

In its 13th year, The Foodbank Hunger Report 2025 is the nation’s most comprehensive snapshot of food insecurity, based on a nationally representative survey of Australians.

To read or download the full report go to Foodbank Hunger Report 2025.

Get involved

Foodbank Australia CEO announcement

Kylea Tink to join country’s largest food relief organisation – Foodbank Australia – as their new CEO

30 September 2025, SYDNEY – The Foodbank Australia Board is pleased to welcome Kylea Tink as the new Chief Executive Officer at Foodbank Australia effective 27 October 2025.

Kylea joins Foodbank Australia at a pivotal time for the food relief entity as it sets to pursue an ambitious new commitment to ensure anyone in Australia experiencing the uncertainty of food insecurity – man, woman or child, of any age, cultural or socioeconomic background, has access to the support they need, immediately and reliably.

As the 14th largest economy in the world, it is inconceivable that nearly a third of all Australian households currently report experiencing food insecurity, with Kylea saying, “quite simply, no Australian should go hungry.”

Kylea joins the food relief organisation with an impressive professional track record spanning federal politics, commercial operations and the not-for-profit space. As the former Independent Member for North Sydney, Kylea was the first woman elected to represent the seat which, in March 2025, was abolished by the AEC as part of their boundary redistribution. At the time Kylea announced that, rather than contest another seat, she would retire from politics along with her community.

The former Managing Director for Edelman Australia, Kylea comes to Foodbank equipped with a deep knowledge of the not-for-profit sector having served as the in augural CEO of the McGrath Foundation where she played a pivotal role in conceiving and successfully establishing one of the most iconic sporting events in the world – the Sydney Pink Test. From there as the CEO for Camp Quality she turned her attention to working with those seeking to allow kids facing cancer to just be kids again.

“Over the years I have been fortunate to work with incredibly smart, committed and passionate people and organisations who have pulled together to address fundamentally and completely untenable systemic inequities in our society. The opportunity for me to join Foodbank Australia is a natural extension of that experience as it provides the opportunity to again work with dedicated and brave people to fix what is a wholly fixable issue – hunger.

“No one in Australia should ever have to worry about what they are going to either feed their families or eat themselves and its time we worked to bring that truth to reality.”

“Working together, food insecurity can absolutely be a thing of the past in our society – but it’s going to take all of us; everyday Australians, business leaders and governments at all levels to say enough is enough. We will not tolerate or accept hunger in Australia.”

“Whether it be supporting First Nations communities, preparing for and responding to disasters, ensuring children are not going without food, or reducing food loss and waste,

Foodbank is changing lives all over Australia, and I’m looking forward to leading the organisation through a period of transformational change”.

Based on data gathered through the annual Foodbank Hunger Report and ground-breaking Foodbank Hunger Map, Foodbank Australia has calculated that around $100m per year is required to secure the food, funds and logistical support needed to ensure every person seeking food relief has access to it.

Foodbank Australia Chair, Duncan Makeig believes the ambition of the organisation’s new strategy, at a time of challenging economic pressures, called for a particular type of leader to join the organisation.

“I’m looking forward to working with Kylea as we all turn our full attention to solving this challenge once and for all. Kylea’s appointment comes as the organisation embarks on a bold and ambitious strategy of raising more than $100million per year to support the national distribution of at least 120million kilograms of nutritionally and culturally appropriate food relief annually.

“In this capacity, Kylea’s vision, energy and leadership are going to be crucial in building Foodbank’s continued success as Australia’s most trusted food relief organisation, driving systemic change and overseeing the growth of our flagship programs: Feeding Australian Kids, Supporting First Nations People, Foodbank in the Regions, Ensuring Emergency Preparedness and Response, Fuelling Healthy Eating and Fighting Food Loss and Waste.”

In closing Kylea offered the following: “This is no small target strategy and I cannot wait to throw my experience into the mix to help reshape our Australian reality.”

Kylea replaces outgoing CEO, Brianna Casey AM, who announced her resignation in July after steering the organisation through the 2020 Black Summer Bushfires, COVID-19, supply chain disruption and the cost-of-living crisis.

Mr Makeig paid tribute to the impact Brianna has had on the organisation: “I have thoroughly enjoyed working with Brianna who I have found to be a leader of great energy, insight and enormous compassion in everything she does. Brianna leaves behind a legacy of creating and building invaluable networks and relationships across the social services sector, food and grocery industry and government”.

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Everyone deserves dignity

Week of Care

Shining a light on essentials

From July 14 to 20, Week of Care highlights the everyday items many of us take for granted — and the difference they make for people doing it tough. When money is tight, household and personal care items are often the first to go.

Why it matters

Millions of Australians are struggling to put food on the table, with some skipping meals or going whole days without eating. The rising cost of living means more people are turning to food relief, and they’re needing support more often.

At Foodbank, we believe everyone should have access to good food and the dignity that comes with essential personal and household items.

Image of man in kitchen with text overlayed saying 3.4 million households in Australia are food insecure

Everyday items that make a difference

Things like toothbrushes and toothpaste, period products, makeup, moisturiser, nappies and baby wipes shouldn’t be a luxury — they’re basic essentials. For someone who has lost everything in a fire or flood, or is escaping domestic violence, these everyday items can make all the difference in helping them feel clean, cared for and ready to face the day.

That’s what Week of Care is all about — raising awareness of the growing need for personal and household care items, and the real impact they have on people’s lives.

The need is real and growing

“The toiletries that are available mean I can treat myself to something that I would not have the financial means to do so at this time and knowing the fact these items are donated makes it even more special.”

– Foodbank SA & NT client

Of the 3.4 million households experiencing food insecurity, almost half expressed a growing need for personal and household care products from charities and community groups.

For families with children, the struggle is even greater. More than half (51%) of food insecure households with kids asked for personal care while close to half asked for cleaning items.

The need for period care also remains high, with 26% of food-insecure households seeking access to these essential items.

What was donated to Foodbank last year

Thanks to the incredible generosity of our partners, more than 1.8 million kilograms of non-food essentials were donated to Foodbank last year. That’s a huge volume of everyday items. All sorted, packed and delivered to people doing it tough right across the country

We’ve highlighted some items we love below.

Period Care

We hear stories of people rationing pads or using socks or toilet paper to get by. For some, that idea seems unimaginable, yet it’s a harsh reality with severe and hidden consequences that many people across the country face. Period care is a necessity. It helps protect dignity, health and confidence — no one should feel ashamed because they can’t afford it. By making access easier, we can help people feel seen, supported and ready to keep going. “It’s just been a lifesaver to come to a place like this. I just appreciate it so much, it’s been a saviour… I am a strong woman and against all odds, I am always going to find a way to keep going.”

Baby Care

Every baby deserves to be clean, comfortable and cared for so they can thrive. Items like nappies and baby wash are essential for families doing it tough. These products support a child’s health and give parents peace of mind. For parents like Melonie*, having access to baby care essentials brings both relief and dignity. “I’m a single mother on disability having epilepsy. Foodbank means a lot to me and my family. It means we can eat quality food and have baby supplies etc.”

Makeup

You might not expect us to provide makeup. But for many, it’s more than just appearance. Makeup supports self-care, confidence and a sense of normalcy. For some women, it helps conceal DV bruises or feel ready for work. Access to makeup can offer comfort, control and dignity in tough times. “I have a young son and a mortgage. I was getting bills and debt faster than I could pay. But thanks to Foodbank I was able to feed myself and my son nutritious food with all the staples plus treats and toiletries.”

Oral Care

Taking care of oral health is crucial for overall well-being, from confidence to the ability to eat comfortably. Many of us understand the pain of oral issues and the expense of dental visits, which is why oral care is a daily priority. Unfortunately, for individuals and families like Keith* who struggle to afford food, access to essential grocery items like toothbrushes and toothpaste can be limited. “The toiletries that are available mean I can treat myself to something that I would not have the financial means to do so at this time and knowing the fact these items are donated makes it even more special.”

Household Cleaning

While cleaning the house or washing dishes may seem like mundane tasks, they are the building blocks of a happy home. They are the first lessons we teach our children, often accompanied by memories of soap suds fights with siblings or lively post-dinner chats. Clean spaces not only promote physical wellbeing but also contribute to our mental and emotional health, making them more than just chores. “Some weeks I don’t have much or sometimes nothing at all to eat or can’t afford cleaning products or self cleansing products. But I can get most general products from Foodbank.”

Hair Care

We can all agree how good it feels to have freshly washed hair. But for many Aussies, essentials like shampoo and conditioner are out of reach. These products are about more than hygiene — they help restore dignity, confidence and a sense of normal. This matters even more when there are children in the household. “I could not afford many items on my shopping list. Meat, fruit and vegetables were always a concern, carefully budgeted. Biscuits and treats were rare as well as many personal items. To discover Foodbank locally is such truly a Godsend. I have never been so content and eaten so well, a big thank you.”

Toilet Paper

Imagine the worry of not knowing if you can find toilet paper. For many of us, it was a brief experience during the panic buying of the pandemic. But for people struggling right now, this can be a daily stress: “Can I afford toilet paper this week?” “Trying to maintain a house on just a disability pension is difficult and with rising costs, it’s made life just a little bit easier having Foodbank as a backup to get the essentials.”

Skin Care

When budgets are tight, self-care products often get cut from the shopping list. Moisturisers, cleansers, and other products are not luxuries—they are essential for many men, women, teenagers, and children facing tough times. Everyone deserves healthy skin. It impacts confidence and can significantly affect those already struggling to pay the bills. That’s why we partner with companies to ensure a regular supply of products for our charities to offer their communities. “I am a pensioner and renting. I have little left out of my pension for food and personal things. I am so glad I found out about Foodbank. It has helped me so much and I thank you very much.”

THANK YOU

In times of natural disaster, emergency, or just everyday hardship, our personal and household care partners are always ready to lend a hand. We are so grateful for their ongoing support in helping make sure Australians everywhere have access to the essentials they need.