--- title: Employee Cost of Living Relief - Now description: Ease employee cost of living now, and explore how other Australian organisations are offering practical relief to employees facing rising living costs. image: https://www.recognitionandrewards.com.au/hubfs/groceries.png --- [Skip to content](https://www.recognitionandrewards.com.au/recognition-hub/employee-cost-of-living-relief-now#main-content) [![HW Holdsworth — Celebrating People](https://www.recognitionandrewards.com.au/hubfs/raw_assets/public/hwh-theme/images/hwh-logo.svg)](https://www.recognitionandrewards.com.au/) [Solutions](https://www.recognitionandrewards.com.au/employee-recognition-solutions) - [Long Service Recognition](https://www.recognitionandrewards.com.au/long-service-milestone-recognition) - [Peer to Peer Recognition](https://www.recognitionandrewards.com.au/peer-to-peer-employee-recognition-software) - [Employee Benefits & Discounts](https://www.recognitionandrewards.com.au/employee-benefits) - [Custom Awards](https://www.recognitionandrewards.com.au/unique-employee-awards) - [Branded Merchandise](https://www.recognitionandrewards.com.au/corporate-merchandise) - [Bespoke Recognition Strategy](https://www.recognitionandrewards.com.au/employee-recognition-program-design) [See all solutions →](https://www.recognitionandrewards.com.au/employee-recognition-solutions) [Resources](https://www.recognitionandrewards.com.au/recognition-hub) [About](https://www.recognitionandrewards.com.au/about-hw-holdsworth) - [Sustainability](https://www.recognitionandrewards.com.au/sustainable-employee-recognition-old) [See all about →](https://www.recognitionandrewards.com.au/about-hw-holdsworth) [Contact](https://www.recognitionandrewards.com.au/hwholdsworth-contact) [Find my award site](https://share.hsforms.com/1rC--GMhJSguqGKCFgpaZUg2sv5x) [Talk to us](https://www.recognitionandrewards.com.au/hwholdsworth-contact) [Recognition Hub](https://www.recognitionandrewards.com.au/recognition-hub)/[Employee Recognition Budget](https://www.recognitionandrewards.com.au/recognition-hub/tag/employee-recognition-budget) # Employee Cost of Living Relief - Now ![N Tan](https://www.recognitionandrewards.com.au/hs-fs/hubfs/NatTan2_400.jpg?width=44&height=44&name=NatTan2_400.jpg) **N Tan** · 4 March 2026 · 2 min read ![Cost of living issues](https://www.recognitionandrewards.com.au/hs-fs/hubfs/groceries.png?width=1600&height=686&name=groceries.png) ## Right now, as the cost of living rises… what does support actually look like inside your organisation? For many companies, salary increases aren’t always possible at the pace inflation moves. Yet, according to [AHRI](https://www.ahri.com.au/articles/60-percent-employees-want-financial-support-from-employer-origin-zero), more than 60% of employees want to be offered more support in their benefits. ### How are Australian organisations responding to support employees with the cost of living crisis? #### 1. Direct financial support Salary increases, bonuses, early wage access ([HCA Mag](https://www.hcamag.com/ca/specialization/benefits/majority-of-workers-want-immediate-access-to-earned-wages/419957)) #### 2. Tax & income relief Salary packaging of living costs ([NALSPA](https://nalspa.org.au/sectors/salary-packaging/)) #### 3. Cost reduction policies Remote work, subsidies meals ([HCA Mag](https://www.hcamag.com/au/specialisation/benefits/how-many-employers-are-helping-workers-out-with-the-rising-cost-of-living)) #### 4. Wellbeing & education Financial literacy programs, mental health resources ([Robert Half](https://www.roberthalf.com/au/en/about/press/majority-australian-employers-helping-employees-cope-rising-cost-living)) ### But when you're on a tight budget, how else do you create real, felt value? Cost-of-living pressure isn’t just a payroll issue. It’s an employee experience issue. The organisations that respond well won’t necessarily be the ones who can afford the biggest salary increases. They’ll be the ones who design smarter support. Because when [benefits](https://www.recognitionandrewards.com.au/employee-benefits)reduce everyday expenses — fuel, groceries, travel, wellness — employees feel the difference immediately. Not once a year at review time. But every week at the checkout. That’s the shift. From perks… To practical relief. From cost… To measurable value. And when delivered strategically, this kind of support strengthens retention, sharpens your EVP, and demonstrates genuine care — without permanently increasing fixed payroll costs. If you’re rethinking how to support your people in a high-pressure economy, now is the time to move beyond intention and into design. Let’s explore what meaningful, scalable cost-of-living support could look like inside your organisation. 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A gift they choose, an engraved memento and a certificate, trophy or plaque, beautifully presented. [Explore long service](https://www.recognitionandrewards.com.au/long-service-milestone-recognition) [Free download**Recognition gift catalogue**Get the PDF →](https://www.recognitionandrewards.com.au/long-service-gifts#catalogue) ## Keep reading ### [![Lindt Chocolate Gift Box with Framed Award Certificate](https://www.recognitionandrewards.com.au/hs-fs/hubfs/Chocolate%20Recognition%20Pack-1.webp?width=720&height=450&name=Chocolate%20Recognition%20Pack-1.webp) Employee Recognition Budget Ideas for recognising small wins between long-service milestones Ideas for recognising small wins between long-service milestones — practical, affordable ways to keep employee recognition consistent. 24 July 2026](https://www.recognitionandrewards.com.au/recognition-hub/small-wins-employee-recognition) ### [![Long service award presentation to a lady](https://www.recognitionandrewards.com.au/hs-fs/hubfs/Performance%20based%20recognition.webp?width=720&height=450&name=Performance%20based%20recognition.webp) Employee Recognition Budget How much should you budget for long service awards? How much should you spend on long service awards? Learn employee recognition budget benchmarks and how to diversify recognition spend for lasting impact. 11 July 2025](https://www.recognitionandrewards.com.au/recognition-hub/how-much-should-you-budget-for-long-service-awards) ### [![Calculator and notebook saying don't underestimate the value of employee recognition.](https://www.recognitionandrewards.com.au/hs-fs/hubfs/Calculator%20ROI%20Employee%20Recognition%20Pink-1.webp?width=720&height=450&name=Calculator%20ROI%20Employee%20Recognition%20Pink-1.webp) Employee Recognition Budget Employee Recognition Budget ROI Calculator Show the impact of employee recognition with our employee recognition budget ROI calculator - easily calculate your savings with our premade form. 11 January 2024](https://www.recognitionandrewards.com.au/recognition-hub/employee-recognition-budget-roi-calculator) ## Let’s talk about your people. Tell us what recognition looks like in your organisation today, and we’ll show you what it could be. [Get in touch](https://www.recognitionandrewards.com.au/hwholdsworth-contact) ![HW Holdsworth — Celebrating People](https://www.recognitionandrewards.com.au/hubfs/raw_assets/public/hwh-theme/images/hwh-logo.svg) **AHRI** · Australian HR Institute member**HRD** · Human Resources Director - Recognition & Rewards Service Provider Award Winner**JAA** · Jewellers Assocation of Australia 2026 Gold Member Pages[Home](https://www.recognitionandrewards.com.au)[Solutions](https://www.recognitionandrewards.com.au/employee-recognition-solutions)[About](https://www.recognitionandrewards.com.au/about-hw-holdsworth)[Contact](https://www.recognitionandrewards.com.au/hwholdsworth-contact) Resources[Blog](https://www.recognitionandrewards.com.au/employee-recognition-hub)[Find Your Award Site](https://share.hsforms.com/1rC--GMhJSguqGKCFgpaZUg2sv5x)[Register Your Gift](https://www.hwholdsworth.com.au/register.php) In the spirit of reconciliation, HW Holdsworth Recognition and Rewards acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. 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