The Times Australia
The Times World News

.

It's not just Australian students who need more food, university staff are also going hungry

  • Written by Katherine Kent, Lecturer, Western Sydney University
It's not just Australian students who need more food, university staff are also going hungry

We know university students[1] regularly go without food and other necessities because they cannot afford them. This has negative impacts on their learning and physical and mental health.

But what about the food security of those who teach and support students – university academics and professional staff?

In an Australian-first study[2], we surveyed staff at the University of Tasmania and found nearly one in six are running out of food and unable to buy more.

Our study

Takeaway toasted sandwich in a brown bag.
A new survey looks at food security for both university students and staff. Abbie Tanner/Unsplash

Food insecurity is when people or households struggle to put enough healthy food on the table every day because of limited money or other resources.

In April 2022, we surveyed 560 staff and more than 1,200 students about their access to food. The survey was open to all students (undergraduate, postgraduate, and higher degree research) and staff (academic and professional).

The survey was online and asked six questions[3], looking at whether respondents had run out of food, ate less or lower-quality food, or had gone hungry at any time over the past year.

Some uni staff are going hungry

In total, 16% of staff surveyed reported experiencing food insecurity at some point over the past 12 months.

Of those surveyed 4% also reported being anxious about not having enough food in the house. In other results, 5% of staff were eating cheaper, less healthy foods to cope and 7% were regularly skipping meals and going hungry.

Some staff were at higher risk than others. They included:

  • professional staff who provide administrative and support services: one in five (19%) professional staff were food-insecure, which is likely related to their lower incomes relative to other staff.

  • casual staff: one-third of surveyed casual staff experienced some degree of food insecurity and were at nearly three times increased risk of food insecurity compared with tenured or permanent staff. This is likely due to the sporadic nature of casual employment.

  • length of employment: 31% of recently employed staff were food-insecure, compared with 9% of staff employed for a decade or more.

What about students?

We found high and worrying levels of food insecurity among students.

Of the 1,257 university students surveyed, nearly one in two (42%) reported some degree of food insecurity, which matches research from other universities[4] across Australia.

Some groups of students were at higher risk of food insecurity. These include first-year students (46%), those who attend classes on campus (48%), international students (61%) and students who identify as non-binary (69%).

Read more: 'God, I miss fruit!' 40% of students at Australian universities may be going without food[5]

We need better food available on campus

While this study was conducted at one university, the issue is not restricted to Tasmania. We know there are increasing levels of food insecurity in the broader Australian community[6].

Staff and students cannot do their jobs or complete their studies properly if they are hungry.

Currently, there is not enough healthy, affordable food[7] and self-catering facilities on university campuses.

Jars of noodle salad with fresh vegetables.
Universities should provide more options to share, prepare and buy healthy food. Correen/Unsplash

To date, universities have tended to focus their food security efforts on directing vulnerable students to emergency food relief organisations off campus. But this carries stigma and is not a long-term solution. Staff are also being overlooked.

Most Australian universities don’t have policies to address food insecurity or to create sustainable food environments[8] on campus. This would mean all students and staff having equitable access to pre-made food (like a sandwich for lunch or curry for dinner). But also being able to access fresh, healthy and sustainable produce.

Creating a new approach to food on campus will take effort, money and leadership. But the situation will not improve unless universities have a strategy to increase reliable access to nutritious and affordable food.

Any food programs on campus and universities need to consult staff and students about how they should work. A not-for-profit campus shop[9] could increase food access by involving campus members in growing, cooking and sharing affordable and sustainable food.

Read more: How are PhD students meant to survive on two-thirds of the minimum wage?[10]

Universities should also conduct regular audits[11] of available food. Does it address people’s dietary and cultural needs, and can everyone access it?

Looking at the bigger picture, as university staff around Australia continue to strike[12] over pay and conditions, universities should also prioritise secure employment to reduce staff food insecurity.

Read more https://theconversation.com/its-not-just-australian-students-who-need-more-food-university-staff-are-also-going-hungry-192928

Times Magazine

Data Management Isn't Just About Tech—Here’s Why It’s a Human Problem Too

Photo by Kevin Kuby Manuel O. Diaz Jr.We live in a world drowning in data. Every click, swipe, medical scan, and financial transaction generates information, so much that managing it all has become one of the biggest challenges of our digital age. Bu...

Headless CMS in Digital Twins and 3D Product Experiences

Image by freepik As the metaverse becomes more advanced and accessible, it's clear that multiple sectors will use digital twins and 3D product experiences to visualize, connect, and streamline efforts better. A digital twin is a virtual replica of ...

The Decline of Hyper-Casual: How Mid-Core Mobile Games Took Over in 2025

In recent years, the mobile gaming landscape has undergone a significant transformation, with mid-core mobile games emerging as the dominant force in app stores by 2025. This shift is underpinned by changing user habits and evolving monetization tr...

Understanding ITIL 4 and PRINCE2 Project Management Synergy

Key Highlights ITIL 4 focuses on IT service management, emphasising continual improvement and value creation through modern digital transformation approaches. PRINCE2 project management supports systematic planning and execution of projects wit...

What AI Adoption Means for the Future of Workplace Risk Management

Image by freepik As industrial operations become more complex and fast-paced, the risks faced by workers and employers alike continue to grow. Traditional safety models—reliant on manual oversight, reactive investigations, and standardised checklist...

From Beach Bops to Alpine Anthems: Your Sonos Survival Guide for a Long Weekend Escape

Alright, fellow adventurers and relaxation enthusiasts! So, you've packed your bags, charged your devices, and mentally prepared for that glorious King's Birthday long weekend. But hold on, are you really ready? Because a true long weekend warrior kn...

The Times Features

What Endo Took and What It Gave Me

From pain to purpose: how one woman turned endometriosis into a movement After years of misdiagnosis, hormone chaos, and major surgery, Jo Barry was done being dismissed. What beg...

Why Parents Must Break the Silence on Money and Start Teaching Financial Skills at Home

Australia’s financial literacy rates are in decline, and our kids are paying the price. Certified Money Coach and Financial Educator Sandra McGuire, who has over 20 years’ exp...

Australia’s Grill’d Transforms Operations with Qlik

Boosting Burgers and Business Clean, connected data powers real-time insights, smarter staffing, and standout customer experiences Sydney, Australia, 14 July 2025 – Qlik®, a g...

Tricia Paoluccio designer to the stars

The Case for Nuturing Creativity in the Classroom, and in our Lives I am an actress and an artist who has had the privilege of sharing my work across many countries, touring my ...

Duke of Dural to Get Rooftop Bar as New Owners Invest in Venue Upgrade

The Duke of Dural, in Sydney’s north-west, is set for a major uplift under new ownership, following its acquisition by hospitality group Good Beer Company this week. Led by resp...

Prefab’s Second Life: Why Australia’s Backyard Boom Needs a Circular Makeover

The humble granny flat is being reimagined not just as a fix for housing shortages, but as a cornerstone of circular, factory-built architecture. But are our systems ready to s...