Australian household spending edged up 0.1 per cent in August on a seasonally adjusted basis, extending a four-month run of gains, according to new Australian Bureau of Statistics figures. That followed rises of 0.4 per cent in July and 0.5 per cent in June.
Lauren Binns, ABS head of business statistics, said: ‘The small rise in August was the fourth increase in a row, and spending has risen in 10 of the last 12 months.
‘Through the year growth remained elevated. Household spending was 5.0 per cent higher than the same time last year.’
travel-related purchases underpinned August’s result. ‘Households spent more on booking airline travel and accommodation services during August. This contributed to a 0.5 per cent rise for Services spending. In contrast, Goods spending fell 0.2 per cent,’ Ms Binns said.
Five of the nine spending categories rose in the month, led by Transport (+0.8 per cent), driven by Western Australia and the Australian Capital Territory, and Miscellaneous goods and services (+0.8 per cent). The largest falls were in Recreation and culture (-0.9 per cent) and Alcoholic beverages and tobacco (-0.9 per cent).
In annual terms, Miscellaneous goods and services (+8.9 per cent) and Health (+8.0 per cent) recorded the fastest growth over the 12 months to August. Services spending was 8.1 per cent higher than in August 2024, while Goods spending rose 2.5 per cent.
Spending rose in five of the eight states and territories. The ACT posted the strongest monthly gain (+2.9 per cent), followed by Tasmania (+0.6 per cent), South Australia (+0.5 per cent), Victoria (+0.4 per cent) and Western Australia (+0.3 per cent). The Northern Territory recorded the largest fall (-1.2 per cent), with Queensland (-0.3 per cent) and New South Wales (-0.2 per cent) also lower.
The ABS compiles the Monthly Household Spending Indicator from aggregated and de‑identified bank card transactions, supermarket scanner data, and motor vehicle sales data.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics
