The majority of income-challenged people are struggling to cool their homes during “dangerously hot” summers, research released today shows.
The Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS) said a survey of more than 2000 people found 75 percent struggled to cool their homes.
This was up from 54 percent in 2025.
ACOSS said in a statement that more than 90 percent of homes became “too hot” in summer and many families were choosing between food and medicine and energy bills due to cost-of-living pressures.
“The health toll of overheated homes revealed in the survey is devastating,” ACOSS said.
“More than nine in ten (93 percent) of respondents reported difficulty sleeping, three in five (60 percent) reported physical and mental health impacts, and 17 percent had to seek medical attention in the past year due to heat.
“Concerningly, almost four in five (77 percent) of people surveyed said they are struggling to pay their energy bills, up from 64 percent in 2025, despite many (73 percent) already trying to reduce energy usage.”
ACOSS CEO Dr Cassandra Goldie said the findings were a serious warning.
“They’re going without food and medicine to pay their power bills and suffering real health consequences,” she said. “This is happening in one of the wealthiest countries in the world.
“We need the government to urgently improve the energy performance of homes by helping people install insulation and solar and get off gas, prioritising renters, First Nations people and low-income home owners.
“This includes working with states and territories to introduce mandatory energy standards for rental properties.”
The full report can be found here.
