Emergency relief services are a vital component of Australia’s social safety net, providing essential food and material aid to individuals and families in crisis. A recent study by Uniting Vic.Tas and the Centre for Social Impact (CSI) Swinburne highlights both the strengths and vulnerabilities of these services, which are increasingly relied upon by Australians facing food insecurity and financial hardship.
These services often serve as an entry point to further assistance like housing, mental health, and family violence support. Despite their importance, they remain underfunded and heavily dependent on in-kind contributions such as donated goods and volunteer labour—covering 61% of delivery costs. This reliance creates significant risk, leaving services vulnerable to disruptions in food supply or volunteer availability. Limited government funding and inadequate infrastructure, including storage and interview spaces, further constrain services’ capacity to meet demand.
The study identified both strengths and challenges for emergency relief services. Strengths include a person-centred approach that prioritises dignity and choice, strong local partnerships, and collaborative networks that expand food access and wraparound support. Staff and volunteers build trust, often serving as the “front door” to other critical services.
The report calls for a new investment model to stabilise and scale emergency relief. Recommendations include increasing cash funding to reduce reliance on donations, hiring more paid staff to improve efficiency, and investing in infrastructure such as storage and food preservation facilities. These measures would strengthen service stability, improve throughput, and meet growing demand.
Emergency relief services are too critical to fail. Addressing funding gaps and investing in staffing and infrastructure will create a more resilient system to support Australians in times of acute need.
