Feeding Australia: A national food security strategy

Researchers from Deakin Institute for Health Transformation and Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition have provided recommendations to help shape Australia’s National Food Security Strategy.

The submission calls for a stronger focus on health, equity and sustainability to ensure everyone can access healthy, affordable and culturally appropriate food. Deakin researchers contributed evidence-based recommendations to help shape the final strategy, advocating for a broader approach that recognises food security as a public health, equity and sustainability issue.

What was the submission about?

The National Food Security Strategy Discussion Paper was released in 2025 to help shape Feeding Australia: A National Food Security Strategy. It seeks feedback on how to build a more secure, resilient and sustainable food system for Australia.

Key points

1. Food security should focus on people, not just food production and exports.
2. Health and nutrition should be central to the strategy.
3. Equity, food as a human right, and First Nations food sovereignty should be recognised as core principles.
4. Local food systems and community-led solutions can improve access to healthy food.
5. Climate change and environmental sustainability must be considered across all food system decisions.
6. Strong governance, monitoring and accountability are needed to measure progress and impact.

What we recommend

• Clarify the strategy’s role: Clearly explain how the Feeding Australia Strategy fits alongside a National Food and Nutrition Policy and addresses all aspects of food security.
• Fund implementation: Provide the funding, leadership, and action plan needed to turn the strategy into real outcomes.
• Put equity at the centre: Recognise food as a human right and support fair access to healthy food, including Indigenous food sovereignty.
• Prioritise nutrition: Make healthy diets and nutrition a core goal of the strategy.
• Broaden productivity: Measure productivity by its social, health, environmental, and economic benefits, not just food production.
• Build local resilience: Support local food systems and community-led solutions to strengthen food security.
• Strengthen sustainability: Address key environmental threats and support more sustainable food systems.
• Improve coordination: Involve all relevant government departments in planning and delivery.
• Measure progress: Include clear monitoring, reporting, and accountability measures.
• Ensure inclusive governance: Include community, health, environmental, and lived-experience voices in decision-making.
• Align with global commitments: Ensure the strategy reflects Australia’s international food, climate, and sustainability commitments.

In summary

Australia has an opportunity to create a food system that supports the health and wellbeing of all people. Deakin’s submission highlights the importance of putting health, equity and sustainability at the centre of the National Food Security Strategy to ensure everyone can access healthy and affordable foo
Download the full submission