Measuring Food and Water Security in an Aboriginal Community in Regional Australia

To measure current levels and experiences of food and water security in Walgett to guide a community-led program and to provide a baseline measure.

A community-led cross-sectional survey conducted in April 2022 by trained local researchers.

Walgett, a regional town in NSW, Australia.

A total of 251 Aboriginal adults.

Food and water security levels and experiences were measured using the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS) and Household Water InSecurity Experiences (HWISE) Scale. The relationship between food and water insecurity was determined through linear regression analysis.

Almost half of the respondents experienced food insecurity (46%) or water insecurity (44%) in the last 12 months. Most participants attributed food insecurity to difficulties with food affordability (71%) and availability (63%). More than four in five participants reported relying on purchased or donated bottled water due to main water source interruption (83%) or quality concerns (86%). Water insecurity was associated with food insecurity; HFIAS score increased by 0.43 points for every point higher on the HWISE scale.

This study is the first to measure levels and experiences of food and water security in an Aboriginal community in Australia using validated tools. The results highlight the interconnectedness of food and water insecurity and provide evidence of levels far higher than Australian national level estimates and comparable to low- and middle-income countries. A holistic government response alongside community-led efforts are needed to increasefood and water security to improve health and well-being in remote Aboriginal communities.