A generation of Queensland children are "growing up in poverty through no fault of their own" as a new report finds parents are skipping meals to feed their families. 

The Queensland Council of Social Services (QCOSS) living affordability report reveals three out of five families are running a deficit budget each week to afford the basics. 

"We can see that some kids aren't getting to go to school because their parents can't afford to put petrol in the car," QCOSS chief executive Aimee McVeigh said.

"They simply cannot afford to pay for necessities such as food, electricity, fuel and rent." 

More than 1,000 Queensland households were surveyed in the biannual cost-of-living report from May 28 this year, with an equal split between metro and regional households. 

The report found parents are unable to afford school camps, extracurricular activities, and meals for every person in the family.

"Those things that make a childhood really good are off the table for lots of people," Ms McVeigh said.

Queensland parents are forgoing meals so their children can eat, cannot afford medication, and are replacing nutritious food with cheaper, less healthy options, the report found.

"Our modelling shows that a single working parent is more than $150 in deficit in their budget each week," Ms McVeigh said.

One respondent said they don't take lunch to work "just so my children have food to take to school". 

Another respondent said: "I don't spend money on myself as I worry I won't have enough to pay rent". 

One respondent said: "I have stopped our family's dental visits". 

The report shows the weekly budgets for some demographics had improved on last year, but this would change when temporary cost-of-living measures end.  

The weekly budget deficit for single parents is $156.93 compared to $255.98 in 2023 and at $166.06 for couples with two children, down from $198.84.

Act for Kids chief executive Dr Katrina Lines emotional abuse and family violence can be flow-on effects of financial stress.

"The cost-of-living crisis has caused prolonged strain on families, not just financially, but emotionally. Frontline services like ours are seeing this stress manifest in violence and abuse in the home, which vulnerable young children are being exposed to," Dr Lines said.

"If experienced over time, there may be lifelong impacts for children, including substance and mental health issues, suicidal ideation, difficulties in forming and maintaining healthy relationships, unemployment, and various social disadvantages.

Ms McVeigh said this year's modelling showed the government's cost-of-living relief was making a difference, but still wasn't enough to put families above the poverty line.

Housing costs were the highest expenditure, with all modelled households spending more than 37 per cent of their income on housing.

"This report makes it clear that in the lead up to the election, the issue our leaders should be focused on is cost-of-living," she said. 

One respondent said their rent had "gone through the roof for no apparent reason".

Ms McVeigh said the Make Queensland Fair campaign wants both sides of politics to provide long-term cost-of-living relief.

Ms McVeigh said support for renters has not kept up with skyrocketing rent increases.

"To make a real difference for renters, both the Queensland government and state opposition need to commit to putting a cap on the cost of renting and end unfair evictions," Ms McVeigh said.

"Recent increases in assistance do not compensate for the significant gap between income support payments and average rents in the private rental market."