Foodbank Australia – response to the Federal Budget

Foodbank Australia – response to the Federal Budget

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Tuesday 12 May 2026, SYDNEY – News overnight (12th May 2026) that the Federal Budget does not contain any additional support urgently needed by the nation’s food relief sector is extremely disappointing given the unprecedented and escalating rates of food stress.

Data* released by Foodbank this past week showed that, as of the end of April, more than half of all Australians (53%) were reporting they found it harder to put food on the table, up from 44% in March—a staggering nine‑percentage‑point increase in just one month.

This sharp rise occurred even before the Reserve Bank’s latest interest rate increase, which will place further pressure on already stretched household budgets.

The concerning trend further emphasises the reality that food stress is now a mainstream crisis affecting families, workers, students, older Australians, and people in every community across the country.

Foodbank Australia CEO Kylea Tink said the data should serve as a wakeup call. “Australian families are at breaking point. This is the highest level of hardship we have seen in recent years, and it demands an urgent response. People are being squeezed from every direction, and for too many, food is becoming the thing they sacrifice first.”

“We had hoped to see a meaningful lift in the federal government’s investment in the systems that keep people fed, supported, and connected especially with every major player in the social services sector citing reports of Australians in need already skipping meals.

“In this context, it’s just disappointing the Federal Government has chosen to invest in other areas.”

“We do welcome the Government’s continued focus on housing relief. But the absence of dedicated investment in food relief represents a missed opportunity to protect people at risk.

“We urge the Government to recognise that food relief is not a peripheral service—it is essential national infrastructure. Without it, families fall further into hardship, communities lose stability, and the broader economy bears the cost.

“With that said, the reality is the federal government is just one supporter, and Foodbank will continue to work with all other levels of government, the corporate sector, and the wider community to ensure every Australian can access the food they need.

“We also encourage Australians who are able to contribute—through food, funds, or time—to support their local food relief organisations.”

This is a moment for decisive action. Food insecurity is solvable, but only if we treat it with the urgency and seriousness it deserves.

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*The Foodbank Ipsos Issues Monitor Omnibus Study is a nationally representative survey conducted by Ipsos on behalf of Foodbank Australia. The April 2026 wave measured the percentage of Australians who reported difficulty affording food, compared against March 2026 results.