The latest data on the wellbeing of Canberrans is out – and it shows a mixed picture, according to lead researcher Professor Jacki Schirmer, from the University of Canberra’s Health Research Institute.
The data from the 2025 “Living Well in the ACT Region” survey, which has tracked the wellbeing, experiences, and priorities of people living across the ACT region since 2019, shows the wellbeing of some Canberrans improved a little that year – mainly those with mortgages and renters.
“This highlights that the two interest rate cuts, and lower inflation we saw in 2025 helped support wellbeing,” Professor Schirmer said. “Unfortunately, interest rates rises in 2026 may be threatening these wellbeing gains.”
Overall, while Canberrans continue to report high levels of liveability – 91.3% found their local area liveable – there continues to be many doing it tough. Just over one in four (27.4%) had overall low levels of wellbeing, and wellbeing levels fell amongst those living with restrictive disabilities in 2025.
Only a third (33.3%) of Canberrans found living costs affordable in 2025, and 58.2% reported their expenses grew faster than their income; particularly parents, those with mortgages, and renters, as well as those living with disability.
Nearly two in five Canberrans (37.5%) experienced a financial stress event in 2025, particularly those aged 30 to 49, caring for children or others, renting, and living with restrictive disability. This stress resulted in many Canberrans reducing takeaway and restaurant meals (70.9%), buying cheaper supermarket goods (66.6%), reducing home heating or cooling (56.7%), cancelling social events (49.3%), or delaying medical appointments (41.5%) and medication purchases (24.4%).
Genevieve Jacobs, CEO of Hands Across Canberra, said the data reflects the community foundation’s experience on the ground.
“It’s what we are hearing from the community sector every day: that there are many Canberrans who are struggling to meet basic living expenses, and a growing need for support for things like food, clothing, and help with energy bills.”
Food stress was reported by more than one in five Canberrans, with 21.6% worrying their food would run out before they next had money coming into their bank account, and 20.6% unable to afford to eat balanced meals. More than one in ten (12.4%) had at some point in the 12 months prior to completing the survey ran out of food and had no money to purchase more.
In addition, 36.7% of Canberrans either reduced home maintenance and repairs, and/or reduced or stopped at least one form of insurance in 2025. Between 2023 and 2025, the proportion of Canberrans who felt confident the ACT copes pretty well when faced with challenges (of any type) fell from 73.8% to 68.0%. Confidence was lower amongst those living in Outer Belconnen, Weston Creek and Tuggeranong South.
However, there was some positive news: more Canberrans are connecting with others face to face. The number of people spending time socialising regularly with family and friends increased to 49.2% in 2025, up from 40.2% in 2024; and those who regularly engaged in community activities grew from 61.7% in 2024 to 68.0% in 2025.
Nearly half of employed Canberrans (45.3%) spent at least one day working from home per week, and enjoyed the time use balance this supports.
Access to health services also improved, with fewer people finding it hard to access a General Practitioner (19.1% in 2025, down from 24.7% in 2024).
The latest survey report will be officially launched by Genevieve Jacobs, CEO of Hands Across Canberra, and key findings will be presented by Professor Jacki Schirmer.