Fuel Crisis Driving Surge in Food Insecurity With Majority of Australians Under Pressure

MEDIA RELEASE
Wednesday 15 April 2026

As fuel prices surge amid escalating global conflict, new national research reveals Australian households are being pushed closer to food insecurity – with the majority now feeling the strain.

Data from the SecondBite Food Insecurity Sentiment Survey, conducted in partnership with YouGov, shows cost-of-living pressures are intensifying rapidly, with almost all Australians (94%) concerned about rising costs over the next six months and food emerging as the most pressing pressure point (62%).

Three in five Australians (62%) now cite food as their number one cost concern for the next six months, just ahead of fuel, while more than half (57%) are worried they may not have enough money to afford food in the months ahead.

SecondBite CEO Daniel Moorfield said the findings point to a worsening national crisis, with cost pressures now translating directly into food insecurity.

“Food insecurity in Australia is at an all-time high and this data shows it’s going to get worse before it gets better,” Moorfield said.

“Right now, more Australians are being forced to choose between putting petrol in the car and putting food on the table.”

That concern is already translating into real-world demand, with SecondBite’s frontline partners reporting a surge in people seeking food relief for the first time.

In addition to the national survey of everyday Australians, SecondBite conducted a pulse check across a broad cross-section of its network of charity partners – spanning community centres, churches, schools, women’s shelters and Indigenous health services – revealing a consistent picture emerging across the country.

Across the network, demand is rising in every community, with many organisations now supporting people who have never needed help before.

“What we’re hearing from our charity partners right across the country is that demand is increasing in every community, and from people who have never needed help before,” Moorfield said.

“For many, it’s forcing impossible choices – skipping meals, stretching ingredients or choosing between food and fuel.

“In some cases, people can’t even afford to travel to access support, while our partners are facing the reality of running out of food as demand continues to rise.”

The impact of rising fuel costs is now extending beyond household budgets, with nearly three in five Australians (57%) saying transport costs have already affected their ability to access food.

Those pressures are even more pronounced in regional and remote areas, with distance and cost combining to make access to food and support increasingly difficult.

Moorfield said SecondBite is well placed to respond but additional support is urgently required.

“We’re ready to help, but we’re already under pressure,” Moorfield said.

“Without urgent Government support, the system won’t be able to keep up with the level of demand we’re seeing.”

SecondBite is calling on the Federal Government to urgently increase support for food relief organisations and take targeted action to ease pressure on Australian households.