Australians are being forced to cut back on basic necessities to keep a roof over their heads, as the St Vincent de Paul Society launches its 2026 Vinnies Winter Appeal.
New survey data commissioned by the charity shows the growing depth of financial stress across the country, with more than half of respondents (55 per cent) reporting they have reduced spending on essentials such as food, medication and household bills in order to afford housing.
The findings come as broader economic conditions continue to tighten. An ABS report released in late April revealed inflation climbed to around 4.6 per cent annually, with housing, transport and food the biggest contributors to rising costs.
Interest rates also rose again in early May, with the Reserve Bank governor Michele Bullock warning Australians are becoming poorer “with no way out” as cost-of-living pressures intensify.
“Inflation hurts all Australians because it eats away at the purchasing power of our money,” Bullock said on 5 May, pointing to the conflict in the Middle East as a factor and saying further interest rate rises may be needed.
St Vincent de Paul Society National President Mark Gaetani said the new data shows many households are entering winter with “little to fall back on.”
“Winter is one of the toughest times of year for those households the Society supports, but these figures show financial insecurity is now hitting many Australians harder than ever,” he said in a statement.
The survey found nearly three in 10 Australians (29 per cent) do not believe they have enough savings to cover an emergency expense, including 17 per cent who strongly disagreed they had sufficient funds.
That equates to at least 3.7 million people without a financial safety net.
“For households with little or no savings buffer, it only takes one setback like an illness, accident or job loss, to go from just getting by to going under,” Gaetani warned.
The charity said donations to the Winter Appeal will help provide food, bill assistance and other essentials to people experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
While welcoming a recent increase in Commonwealth Emergency Relief funding linked to global economic pressures, including the impact of the Iran conflict, Gaetani said demand is outpacing available support.
“Charities continue to struggle to support everyone in need, and we look to the upcoming Federal Budget for more sustainable, long-term measures,” he said.
The Vinnies Winter Appeal runs nationwide, with donations available online, by phone or through Vinnies shops.
