Radio Brisvaani
Allianz Partners has renewed its partnership with Foodbank for a further three years, reinforcing its commitment to helping address the cost-of-living pressures facing international students in Australia.
The renewed partnership was highlighted today at Murdoch University in Perth as the Allianz Partners and Foodbank International Student market stall series marked 12 months since its expansion into Western Australia.
The series now operates across Queensland, New South Wales, the ACT, Victoria, Western Australia and South Australia, following its expansion into South Australia for the first time this year.
Since 2024, the market stall series has delivered 20 on-campus market stalls, providing more than 110 tonnes of fresh produce and pantry staples to more than 12,000 students at 12 institutions. This quantity is the equivalent of three fully loaded road trains or an empty Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner.
In 2025, the program expanded into Western Australia, supporting nearly 2,000 students in the state and distributing more than 12 tonnes of food and essential products through two market stalls.
Allianz Partners Executive Head of Health, Miranda Fennell, said the renewal reflected the company’s commitment to supporting students beyond traditional insurance cover.
“Allianz Partners is proud to renew our partnership with Foodbank for a further three years,” Ms Fennell said.
“For us, this is about delivering more than insurance. It’s about making a genuine difference in the day-to-day lives of the students we support.
“Our latest Food Insecurity Impact Report highlights the significant challenges many international students continue to face. The report found that 84% worry about having enough food to eat, while 80%have skipped meals or eaten less due to financial constraints.”
The market stall series sits alongside Allianz Care Australia’s wider wellbeing support for international students, which includes an on-campus support team at universities across the country as well asthe Sonder mental health, safety and wellbeing app, which is available in more than 240 languages and offers primary OSHC policyholders 24/7 access to nurses, mental health first-aiders and safety responders.
Murdoch University Director, Student Wellbeing Simon Walters, welcomed the extension of the partnership.
“International students are a valued part of the Murdoch community, but we also recognise that studying in a new country brings challenges, particularly when students are navigating financial pressures, building new support networks and being far from family and familiar sources of support,” Mr Walters said.
“At Murdoch University, we provide a range of wellbeing supports for students, as well as specific supports for international students, including access to an International Mental Health Practitioner, alongside opportunities to build connection and belonging through initiatives such as International Café in The Den – our student wellbeing drop-in space.
“Partnerships like this one are welcomed as they help ensure students feel supported and connected to a community that cares while addressing practical challenges such as food insecurity.”
Foodbank WA Chief Executive, Kate O’Hara, said rising demand for food staples was evident across all sectors of the community, including students.
“Food insecurity doesn’t discriminate, and university students, particularly those far from home and their usual support networks, are more vulnerable than many people realise,” Ms O’Hara said.
