Overview of the article by Oscar Moodley, Published in The Mercury on Thursday, 26 March 2026
NB: The original article incorrectly stated that volunteers were receiving an extra $500 fuel reimbursement each per week. This figure was inaccurate. The correct amount equates to $5.00 per delivery run. The Mercury has updated their online article to reflect this correction.
Meals on Wheels services across Australia, including Tasmania, are facing significant financial strain as fuel prices continue to rise. The organisation will meet with the federal Department of Health, Disability and Ageing to request urgent support, including:
Key Issues
- Fuel costs are placing pressure on volunteers, who use their own vehicles to deliver meals. Many are struggling to afford fuel.
- Volunteer retention is at risk, with reports that some may need to stop driving due to cost pressures, potentially leaving clients without daily welfare checks.
- Meals on Wheels Australia, led by Chair Paul Sadler, will advocate for:
- Recognition of Meals on Wheels as an essential service to ensure volunteers retain fuel access during any future restrictions.
- Increased government financial support, including higher per‑delivery payments.
Impact on Tasmanian Operations
Meals on Wheels Tasmania President Katie Kelly reported that the organisation is closely monitoring fuel prices and has already increased fuel reimbursements for volunteers who use their own cars, adding roughly $5 per delivery run per volunteer.
While volunteer numbers remain stable for now, Kelly noted that ongoing fuel price rises may affect future availability. She emphasised that volunteers are critical to the organisation’s ability not only to deliver meals but also to conduct welfare checks.
If volunteer numbers decline, Meals on Wheels Tasmania may need to adapt its service model. Possible measures include reducing daily fresh meal deliveries, increasing the use of frozen meals, or conducting welfare checks by phone. Kelly stressed that an inability to replace lost volunteers would significantly affect service delivery.
Overall Concern
Volunteers are widely regarded as the backbone of Meals on Wheels. Without them, the organisation’s capacity to support more than 200,000 older Australians would be severely compromised.
Full article can be found here
Summary of Measures Taken by Meals on Wheels Tasmania
Meals on Wheels Tasmania has been tracking fuel price trends statewide, noting increases from around $1.70 per litre in February to $2.00 in early March, $2.20 in the second week, and approximately $2.45 in the third week. To offset this, the organisation introduced additional reimbursement loadings of 20%, 30%, and 45% across the first three weeks of March and will continue to monitor.
