A staggering 3.7 million Australian households have reported struggling to put food on the table in the last 12 months, a new report has revealed.
The sobering statistics were shared by AtWork Australia, which also noted between August 2022 and February 2023, with inflation at a 33-year high, 53 per cent of Australians struggled to afford basic needs like food and shelter.
AtWork Australia – an employment services provider – reported a significant increase in Australians requiring their services as the cost-of-living crisis persists.
Challenges facing their clients have included employees needing to take on additional hours to make ends meet and a “noticeable” slowdown in recruitment.
Many of those who are need to tap into these services recently are doing so for the first time.
NSW woman Klara recently used the services provided by AtWork Australia and Dress for Success, after she struggled to find employment following past abuse.
The 58-year-old woman was able to find a job through their help. “atWork Australia provided me with the guidance and resources I needed to find a job that fits my skills and aspirations. I am now working as a cleaner, at multiple sites, and I absolutely love it,” she said.
“atWork Australia also connected me with Dress for Success where I was supported and provided with quality pre-loved clothing, styling and presentation skills for job interviews.”
Will Hawes from Will2Live, which provides accommodation support and resources for families, single parents and those facing homelessness, said there has been an uptick in demand for his services.
Meanwhile, Australian food rescue organisation OzHarvest reports 75 per cent of the charities it supports experienced an increase in demand in the last six months.
“The cost-of-living crisis is pushing so many people to the edge,” OzHarvest Partnerships Executive Julia Grove said.
“Our charities are telling us that people from all corners of the community are seeking help, many for the first time. If you are in need of food relief, please know you are not alone.”
OzHarvest delivers around 500,000 meals a week to Australian families.
It comes less than a year after Foodbank’s annual hunger report revealed Australia was in the midst of a food security crisis.
The report found that the biggest driver of food insecurity was the cost-of-living crisis, with 77 per cent of households saying this was the “main reason”.
