New Hub puts excess stock to work
Good360 Australia has opened its first Community Hub, offering a new way for Australians in need to access essential goods with dignity at a time when demand on charities is higher than ever.
The 2025 Good360 Communities in Need Report, which surveyed over 400 charities and disadvantaged schools, found personal hygiene products, clothing, and education supplies top the list of most-needed items, while digital devices are increasingly essential for daily life. Despite distributing $60.5 million worth of new goods last year, charities report they still cannot meet community demand.
Alison Covington AM, Founder and Managing Director of Good360 Australia, said the findings highlight the scale of the challenge, “While some indicators suggest the cost-of-living crisis may be easing, charities paint a very different picture.
“The reality is that demand is rising. Australia’s cost-of-living crisis is becoming a permanent, structural challenge that requires smart and sustainable solutions. Behind these numbers are families going without basic hygiene products, children missing school supplies, and elderly Australians facing hardship for the first time. This is not the Australia we should accept in 2025.”
The Community Hub provides a welcoming, retail-like space where people, supported by a charity worker, can choose the essentials they need for free, restoring both choice and dignity. Covington said the Hub marks a major milestone for Good360, “The Good360 Community Hub is more than a space, it’s a new way of reaching and supporting Australians in need. It creates a setting of dignity, comfort and belonging while also bringing together charities, donors and communities to reduce both need and waste.
“With the generous support of IKEA and our partners, we plan to expand this model nationwide, with at least one Hub in every state and territory.”
This milestone was made possible thanks to the support of Large Format Retail Association members and partners. IKEA Australia led the way, providing the design, furniture and full fit-out of the Hub, while Amphis contributed the lighting design.
The shelves themselves are stocked with donated products from Good360 partners, creating a true retail-like experience for attendees.
Renea Robson, Country Sustainability Manager at IKEA Australia, said, “At IKEA Australia, we believe everyone deserves a safe and welcoming home. Partnering with Good360 Australia on this Community Hub has helped us bring that belief to life, creating a space that supports communities with dignity, care, and functionality. We’re proud to contribute to a project that reflects our values of equality, sustainability, and togetherness through thoughtful design, our products, and the passion of our co-workers.”
Businesses interested in supporting communities in need can learn more at good360.org.au.
