Household spending was 4.9% higher compared to the same period last year, according to new ABS figures.
“Spending on transport remained high in September, rising 18.4% over the year,” said Robert Ewing (pictured above), ABS head of business statistics. “This contributed to a 9.2% rise in spending on non-discretionary goods and services, with households spending more on fuel as well as food and health services.
“In contrast, discretionary spending rose 0.3% over the year. Less spending on discretionary goods like furniture has been offset by increased spending on discretionary services like recreation and culture.”
In addition to increased spending on transportation, the overall growth in household spending compared to the same period last year was driven by higher expenditures in the categories of health (+10.1%), food (+4.2%), and hotels, cafes, and restaurants (+3.4%).
Household spending increased in all states and territories compared to the same period last year.
Western Australia experienced the biggest increase in spending (+9.5%), driven by transport (+21.9%) and health (+15.2%).
When comparing month-on-month, Victoria was the only state or territory to report a higher growth rate in spending in September. In contrast, the Northern Territory had the biggest decline in growth, falling from +5.3% in August to +0.5% in September, ABS reported.
Read Aussie households spent more in August – ABS to know how much Australians have spent in the previous month.
Access the Monthly Household Spending Indicator.
Get the hottest and freshest mortgage news delivered right into your inbox. Subscribe now to our FREE daily newsletter.
