Deliveroo Australia received a $20.7 million support payment from its UK parent in 2017, but the food delivery start-up still made a $4.2 million loss after tax as it invested heavily in a new 'dark kitchens' business.

The 'market support income', revealed in Deliveroo Australia's calendar 2017 accounts, topped up revenue of $41.2 million and prevented it spiralling to a loss bigger than the $21.3 million after tax incurred in calendar 2016. That loss came off $11.4 million revenue.