Media Statement

Immediate release 

Interview Opportunities:  Foodbank WA CEO, Kate O’Hara

Foodbank Hunger Report reveals alarming rise in food insecurity across Western Australia

Almost one in three Western Australian households experienced food insecurity in the past 12 months, according to the latest Foodbank Hunger Report, highlighting the ongoing impact of rising living costs on families across the state. 

The Foodbank Hunger Report is Foodbank’s annual national survey and the most comprehensive study of food insecurity in Australia. This year’s findings reveal that food insecurity continues to worsen, with one in three Australian households experiencing food insecurity in the past 12 months, equating to 3.6 million households going hungry nationwide, an increase of 100,000 households since 2025. 

In Western Australia, the report found that 31% of households, equivalent to approximately 349,000 households, experienced food insecurity during the past year, with regional communities facing even greater challenges. In regional WA, 40% of households experienced food insecurity, while 22% experienced severe food insecurity, meaning families were regularly skipping meals or going without food altogether. 

Foodbank WA Chief Executive Officer Kate O’Hara said the findings demonstrate that food insecurity is no longer confined to traditionally vulnerable groups. 

“The reality is that food insecurity is affecting people from all walks of life. We’re seeing more working families, renters and households who have never needed support before struggling to put food on the table. 

“These figures represent real people making impossible choices between paying rent, covering essential bills and buying food. No one in our community should have to skip meals because they can’t afford groceries.” 

The report found that 70% of food insecure households in WA experienced food insecurity for the first time within the last year, reinforcing the growing reach of the issue. 

Some of the most affected groups in Western Australia included: 

• 72% of households affected by disability or health issues 
• 52% of low-income households earning less than $33,799 annually 
• 46% of renting households 
• 41% of households with children 
• 39% of households represented by people aged 18 to 34 

Nationally, cost-of-living pressures continue to dominate household concerns. Among food insecure households: 

• 92% cited cost-of-living pressures as a top concern 
• 80% said increased living expenses contributed to their inability to afford enough food 
• 37% pointed to health and medical costs or illness 
• 26% cited changes in household or living arrangements 

Financial confidence is also deteriorating, with 35% of Australians expecting their financial situation to worsen over the next 12 months. Additionally, 15% of food insecure households nationally identified difficulty finding work as a contributing factor, up from 11% the previous year. 

The report also paints a stark picture of severe food insecurity in Western Australia. Among severely food insecure households: 

• 96% worried food would run out before they could afford more 
• 96% ate less than they felt they should 
• 94% cut meal sizes or skipped meals 
• 89% were hungry but did not eat because they could not afford food 
• 55% reported an adult going without food for an entire day 

Foodbank WA is calling for ongoing investment in food relief and broader action to address the underlying causes of food insecurity, including income adequacy, housing affordability and support for vulnerable households. 

From a national perspective, Foodbank Australia is also calling on the Federal Government to work alongside state and territory governments to establish a national minimum standard for school breakfast programs, ensuring every Australian child has access to a nutritious breakfast at school by 2030. 

Kate O’Hara said that while Western Australia continues to see strong community and government support for the Foodbank School Breakfast Program, there is an opportunity for all schools across the country to learn from successful models already operating elsewhere in the country. 

“The WA governments support of the School Breakfast Program demonstrates the significant difference that coordinated investment can make in ensuring children start the day ready to learn. Establishing a national benchmark based on best-practice examples would be a positive step forward for Australia and help ensure no child’s education or wellbeing is impacted by hunger. 

“Food insecurity is a complex issue, but every Australian deserves reliable access to healthy food. Governments, businesses and communities all have a role to play in creating lasting solutions.” 

Media contact:  

Kath Robinson | Brand Manager 
kath.robinson@foodbankwa.org.au | 0414 558 957 

About Foodbank WA  

Hello, we’re Foodbank WA. We believe everyone should have access to healthy food. There are Western Australians going without every day, and we are working hard to change that. 

We provide food and groceries to those who struggle to afford them. We also deliver nutrition education to promote healthy eating and advocate on behalf of people that experience hunger and food insecurity. 

We are here to support Western Australians in times of need. We do this through: 

• Providing 9.3 million meals last financial year to those who were doing it tough 
• Distributing food and groceries through 550 frontline charities 
• Providing breakfast and fruit to 550 schools feeding 27,300 children weekly 
• Delivering nutrition education attendances to over 6,546 children, adults and parents  

We work with farmers, wholesalers, manufactures and retailers who donate and redirect surplus product to us. This also plays a vital role in tackling food waste and positively contributes to climate change by reducing CO2 emissions arising from landfill. 

Our purpose is to Feed. Educate. Advocate.