Festive season a struggle for millions, survey reveals

Cost-of-living pressures threaten to turn the festive season into the hardest time of the year for millions of Australians, a survey commissioned by St Vincent de Paul Society* reveals. Those worse affected include Gen Z and families with children under 18 living at home.

The findings come as the St Vincent de Paul Society launches its annual Vinnies Christmas Appeal across Australia today, Monday 3 November.

‘While Christmas is meant to be the happiest time of the year, it’s become a financially stressful time for three in five (59 percent) Australians,’ said the Society’s National President, Mark Gaetani.

‘Alarmingly, almost half (49 percent) of Australian families with children under 18 were concerned about just being able to put food on the table this Christmas,’ he said.

But it’s not only Christmastime when people are hurting; almost one in three (32 percent) Australians admit they’ve skipped meals or gone without food in the past 12 months to afford other essentials, such as rent or electricity.

‘Sadly, this survey confirms what our Members, volunteers and employees are seeing every day – that financial stress isn’t just a statistic; it’s a daily reality for millions,’ Mr Gaetani said.

‘The cost-of-living crisis is seeing parents skip meals so they can afford to feed their kids, pay their rent or keep the lights on, and the sadness of not having any gifts or festive treats to share compounds their financial stress.

‘This isn’t the Australia any of us wish for this Christmas or anytime – where poverty becomes the new normal for millions of Australians,’ he said.

‘That’s why this year’s Vinnies Christmas Appeal comes with a special plea for anyone who can afford to donate to help us share hope and joy by providing gifts, nutritious meals and essential support for families facing an otherwise bleak Christmas.

‘Every dollar raised will help vulnerable Australians find hope and relief during what should be the happiest time of the year,’ Mr Gaetani said. ‘Your generosity could be your greatest gift this Christmas.’

Donations to the Vinnies Christmas Appeal of $2 and over are tax-deductible, with every contribution helping to spread hope and relief to Australians under financial pressure this Christmas. To donate, visit donate.vinnies.org.au/donation-hub

* Festive Season Survey prepared for St Vincent de Paul Society by YouGov. Online survey of nationally representative sample of 1,020 Australians aged 18 years and older, conducted 25-27 August 2025.