Financial stress leaves half of Australians feeling out in the cold

Half of Australians experience more financial stress during winter, according to new research conducted by YouGov for the St Vincent de Paul Society NSW.

The research also found that three in four Australians feel they have less choice in managing their household budget due to cost-of-living pressures, while 40% have had to go without heating during the colder months due to financial constraints.

The findings coincide with the launch of the Vinnies Winter Appeal which aims to support households facing financial hardship. St Vincent de Paul Society NSW is on track to support over 100,000 people through its emergency relief programs for the second consecutive year, as cost-of-living pressures drive households to seek repeated assistance. 

The demand for assistance from the Society NSW’s emergency relief programs, provided by members in local communities, has grown by a third since the onset of COVID with over 100,000 people seeking support in the last financial year, increasing from 75,000 in the 2020/21 financial year. 

Concerningly, four in five people supported by Society NSW members have sought assistance on multiple occasions, including three in five seeking support five or more times this year.

“Our members and services continue to see an increase in the number of people seeking support, along with people requiring ongoing assistance just to get by with the bare necessities,” said Yolanda Saiz, St Vincent de Paul Society NSW CEO. 

The Society experiences strong demand during the winter months for material assistance, such as blankets and clothing, along with requests for energy relief provided through the NSW Government’s Energy Accounts Payment Assistance (EAPA) scheme. Close to one in five people supported by the Society NSW during the winter months last year did so for the first time.

“It’s important to recognise that the support our members provide is for the essentials we would all expect for ourselves – food, clothing, accommodation, utilities, medical expenses.

“We are able to provide this assistance for people in their times of need, but we depend upon funds raised through our Vinnies Winter Appeal to ensure that people have the support they need to not just survive but thrive in their lives,” said Ms Saiz. 

Housing stress is among the leading causes of people seeking support, affecting approximately half of all people assisted by Society members this year. 

“Poverty and homelessness are not choices that people make for themselves – these are the consequences of policies that leave people behind,” said Peter Houweling, St Vincent de Paul Society NSW State President.

“By supporting the Vinnies Winter Appeal, our members can ensure people aren’t having to choose to go without meals, can turn the heat on this winter without fear of the financial cost and have a stable foundation in housing.”

Donations to the Vinnies Winter Appeal can be made at www.vinnies.org.au, calling 13 18 12 and at all Vinnies Shops.

All donations over $2 are tax deductible. 

All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov.  Total sample size was 1,007 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 7th - 9th April 2025. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all Australian adults (aged 18+).