Recent data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) indicates that household spending in Australia rose significantly in December, except in the areas of alcohol and tobacco. Analysis from Canstar Blue revealed that spending on food increased by $460 million compared to the previous year, along with an additional $363 million on furnishings and household equipment. However, there was a noteworthy drop of nearly half a billion dollars in transport expenses year-on-year.
Alcohol and tobacco expenditures fell by 7.3%, translating to over $270 million less spent on these items in December 2023 compared to 2022. Despite this decline, Northern Territory was the only jurisdiction to see a slight increase—just 0.1%. The average Australian household is currently spending around $216 weekly on groceries, $57 on petrol, and $18 on takeaway coffee, while the average monthly wine expenditure is $66.
Interestingly, health spending generally decreased, except in South Australia and the NT. However, household furnishing costs rose across most regions. This shift in spending patterns reflects changing consumer priorities in Australia as the cost of living continues to rise.