Daily, everyday Aussies are having to pick between getting meals on their plates and paying their power bills, new research has found.
Of the 1011 individuals polled by the Australian Council of Social Service, half reported that they were missing meals and foregoing medications to ensure their air conditioning or heaters remained operational.
Others mentioned they were offloading their possessions or utilizing buy now, pay later (BNPL) services to manage their soaring electricity costs.
READ MORE: Shannon was aboard the ferry when he noticed two 'trapped' divers.
Some opted for not using any heating or cooling systems at all within their homes as a way to reduce energy consumption.
Von, a 62-year-old resident of the Central Coast in New South Wales who receives the disability pension, mentioned that using the air conditioner was not feasible for them.
Von mentioned that he wakes up very early every day to monitor the weather. He doesn’t have the option to open his windows due to blackout curtains, so instead, he uses a floor fan in each bedroom which provides some cooling relief. However, affording air conditioning isn't feasible for him.
"Trying to sleep is unbelievable. I take cold showers in the middle of the night to cool down and use wet towels.
"It's hard to clean the house because it's too hot. Cost is a huge factor."
READ MORE: Canada and EU retaliate against Trump, hitting beef, whiskey, motorcycles
A 61-year-old man from Melbourne named Euan, who also receives the disability support pension, mentioned that nights during the warmer seasons can be "awful."
He mentioned that they do have a stationary air conditioner installed in the master bedroom, however, the two children's rooms become extremely warm during summertime and remain so.
Each day feels like a struggle for me, particularly when the warmth intensifies during the nighttime.
The house exceeds 40 years of age, and the windows are outdated with single-pane design.
According to those surveyed by ACOSS, people are reducing their usage of lights and air conditioning, cutting down on shower times, or disconnecting major appliances to lower their energy costs.
EXPLAINED: To what extent will Trump's tariffs impact the Australian economy?
"It’s utterly disgraceful that in one of the globe’s richest countries, individuals are falling ill, missing meals, and postponing doctor visits due to an inability to pay for heating and electricity in their homes," stated ACOSS CEO Dr Cassandra Goldie.
The Australian Council of Social Service (ACCOSS) is urging the federal government to finance energy improvements for all 437,700 social housing units by the year 2030.
Goldie emphasized, "There is an urgent need to assist individuals in enhancing the thermal efficiency of their homes, transitioning to electricity, and utilizing rooftop solar panels along with home batteries." He added, "The greatest support should be directed towards low-income households and those belonging to Indigenous communities."
From July 1, energy bill costs are expected to increase following the release of the Australian Energy Regulator’s (AER) draft decision regarding the “default market offer” (DMO).
The typical home could see their yearly electricity costs rise by up to an additional $200 annually if the limits on prices for consumers on basic plans are removed.
DOWNLOAD THE 9NEWS APP Stay updated with the newest developments in breaking news, sports, politics, and weather through our news application, and receive alerts directly on your smartphone. The app is available for download now. Apple App Store and Google Play .
