The average food basket has changed throughout the years, and knowing the average food cost per month in Australia can help you create a grocery budget that will suit your needs the best.
Let’s find out if you spend more on food than the average Australian.
Fascinating Facts
- Prices for food in Australia have increased by 5.9% in the June quarter of 2022, compared to the same quarter of the previous year.
- The overall costs for food noted a 2% rise between the March and June quarter of 2022.
- 24% of Australians are cutting back on food because of the rising expenses in the second quarter of 2022.
- The costs for meals out and takeaway foods in Australia rose by 2.1%.
- 60.92% of couples with children in Australia opt to buy cheaper food options.
- In the second quarter of 2022, groceries were the largest contributor to the living costs for 75% of Australians.
- Australia’s monthly food price inflation rose to 5.9% in the July quarter of 2022.
- An average Australian spends $608 a month on groceries.
- Aussies spend the most on buying fresh fruits and vegetables.
- The average grocery bill for a family of 4 is around $203 per week.
Food Costs Statistics in Australia
1. Prices for food in Australia have increased by 5.9% in the June quarter of 2022, compared to the same quarter of the previous year.
(Australian Bureau of Statistics)
The following food groups made the most significant annual price pressures on food costs
- Non-durable products, with a price change of 10.7%
- Non-alcoholic beverages, with a price change of 7.9%
- Fruits and vegetables, with a price change of 7.3%
- Bread and cereal products, with a price change of 6.3%
- Meat and seafood, with a price change of 6.3%
- Dairy-related products, with a price change of 5.2%
While the average food prices have increased, Aussies waste about 7.6 million tonnes of food a year, with households contributing nearly a third of the total amount.
2. The overall costs for food noted a 2% rise between the March and June quarter of 2022.
(Australian Bureau of Statistics)
Contributors to the growing food prices between quarters in Australia were
- Fruits and vegetables, with a 5.8% price change
- Bread and cereal products, with a 3.1% price change
- Non-durable products, with a 2.3% price change
- Non-alcoholic beverages, with a 1.5 price change
- Dairy-related products, with a 1.3% price change
- Meat and seafood, with a 0.8% price change.
Additionally, the latest data reveals that coffee prices are expected to increase up to $6 or $7 per cup by the end of 2022.
In contrast to the price-rising trends of food groups, pork is the only product that remained at the same price in June 2022 quarter.
3. 24% of Australians are cutting back on food because of the rising expenses in the second quarter of 2022.
(Statista)
An additional 4% of the survey respondents stated they intend to cut back on food costs. With food prices being among the major drivers, consumer prices increased by 5.1% annually, according to the latest Australian GDP statistics.
4. The costs for meals out and takeaway foods in Australia rose by 2.1%.
(Australian Bureau of Statistics)
Aussies spend about $1,590 per capita on yearly food delivery orders. Dealing with rising input costs and supply shortages, restaurants in Australia had to increase their prices.
However, the notable impact of the price changes for meals out and takeaway foods in Australia was reduced to 1.4% with dining voucher schemes from selected state governments.
5. 56.8% of Australian households with children started reducing dining out to deal with the growing food costs.
(Statista, Statista)
Consequently to the rising prices in restaurants, Australians started finding ways to deal with the increasing expenses. For example, 43% of respondents have stopped or cut back on ordering takeaway with food delivery services, while 8% intend to do the same.
6. 60.92% of couples with children in Australia opt to buy cheaper food options.
(Statista)
Furthermore, this is also a common way to lower the food costs for 63.77% of the respondents living in single-parent households and almost 50% of couples without children.
Food Index Australia
7. The 2022 mid-year groceries index in Australia was 72.75.
(Numbeo)
Currently, Australia holds the 9th place in the world for the highest food index. Similarly, the groceries index in Australia at the beginning of 2021 was 81.14 when Australia took 8th place.
Compared to the beginning of 2022, the groceries index in the middle of 2022 decreased by 4.72.
8. Australia’s monthly food price inflation rose to 5.9% in the July quarter of 2022.
(Trading Economics)
This is the highest reading and the fastest rise in food prices since the third quarter of 2011. The food inflation in the first quarter of 2022 was measured at 4.3%.
Largest Contributors to the Cost of Living in Australia
9. In the second quarter of 2022, groceries were the largest contributor to the living costs for 75% of Australians.
(Statista)
Groceries are one of the highest expenses for Aussies to deal with. 47% of the survey respondents stated that transportation is also one of the biggest financial burdens.
Other contributors to the cost of living in Australia are utilities, eating out, and rent.
Average Grocery Bills in Australia
10. An average Australian spends $608 a month on groceries.
(Canstar Blue)
With an average spending of $152 per week, the average Australian household can spend $7,296 a year on groceries.
11. Aussies spend the most on buying fresh fruits and vegetables.
(Canstar Blue)
With the average milk consumption in Australia is 97 litres of milk per capita, dairy products come second. Other items frequently bought by Aussies are bakery goods, meat and pantry items like rice, pasta and cooking oil.
12. 51% of Australians have stated that the amount they spend on groceries per week increased in 2021.
(Consumer Pulse Report) (Canstar Blue)
Aussies with high incomes above $120,000 spend about $56 more for their weekly grocery shopping than low-income households who earn less than $30,000.
13. Aussies from Tasmania spend the most money on food in Australia, with $160 per week.
(Canstar Blue)
Tasmanian households spend the most money on groceries at $160 per week, which is $17 more than Western Australia, where Aussies spend at least on groceries.This is partially a result of the average annual wage and the quality of life in the best places in Australia.
The average grocery bills per week for other regions in Australia are:
- Western Australia $143
- Victoria $147
- New South Wales $151
- Australian Capital Territory $151
- South Australia $153
- Queensland $159.
14. The average grocery bill for family of 4 is around $203 per week.
(Canstar Blue)
How much does food cost per week for 1 person in Australia? One person in Australia spends $104 on groceries. In addition, an average couple’s grocery bill can be around $144.
The average weekly grocery bill for 3 people is $178, while larger families with five or more members spend $235 per week on groceries.
15. Aussies who are 70 years or older spend the least money on food out of all other generations, with an average weekly grocery bill of $129.
(Canstar Blue)
How much does the average person spend on food per day by age group in Australia
For example, the generation between 60 and 69 years old in Australia spends $139 a week on groceries, which makes the average food cost per day in Australia almost $20. Couples around 65 years of age spend much more on food than the national average, retirement statistics reveal.
Here is the average weekly grocery bill in Australia for other age groups.
- 50 to 59 years – $158
- 40 to 49 years – $165
- 30 to 39 years – $173
- 18 to 29 years – $154
Read our comprehensive guide on how to save money on groceries for all the tips and tricks on saving money on groceries in Australia.
Wrap Up
Now that you know the average food cost per month in Australia, you can easily fill up your grocery bags with everything you need.
Some useful tips on how to save money on groceries are to shop at grocery stores or supermarkets, pay attention to what’s on sale, use coupons, choose in-season fruit and vegetables, and have in mind the average food costs per month in Australia.
Sources:
As a seasoned expert in the realm of Australian food economics and consumption patterns, I bring forth a wealth of knowledge to dissect the intricacies embedded in the article. My expertise is rooted in comprehensive research and an acute awareness of the latest statistics and trends in the Australian food market. Let's delve into the key concepts presented in the article:
1. Food Price Trends in Australia:
- Evidence: According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, prices for food in Australia increased by 5.9% in the June quarter of 2022 compared to the same quarter of the previous year.
- Significant Annual Price Pressures:
- Non-durable products: 10.7% price change
- Non-alcoholic beverages: 7.9% price change
- Fruits and vegetables: 7.3% price change
- Bread and cereal products: 6.3% price change
- Meat and seafood: 6.3% price change
- Dairy-related products: 5.2% price change
2. Overall Food Costs Increase:
- Evidence: The overall costs for food noted a 2% rise between the March and June quarter of 2022.
- Contributors to Growing Prices Between Quarters:
- Fruits and vegetables: 5.8% price change
- Bread and cereal products: 3.1% price change
- Non-durable products: 2.3% price change
- Non-alcoholic beverages: 1.5% price change
- Dairy-related products: 1.3% price change
- Meat and seafood: 0.8% price change
- Coffee prices are expected to increase by the end of 2022.
3. Consumer Impact and Adaptation:
- Evidence: 24% of Australians are cutting back on food due to rising expenses in the second quarter of 2022.
- Strategies to Cope:
- 56.8% of Australian households with children reduce dining out.
- 60.92% of couples with children opt for cheaper food options.
- Aussies spend about $1,590 per capita on yearly food delivery orders.
4. Grocery Shopping and Costs:
- Evidence: Groceries were the largest contributor to the living costs for 75% of Australians in the second quarter of 2022.
- Average Spending:
- An average Australian spends $608 a month on groceries.
- The average grocery bill for a family of 4 is around $203 per week.
- Aussies spend the most on buying fresh fruits and vegetables.
5. Food Index and Inflation:
- Evidence: Australia’s monthly food price inflation rose to 5.9% in the July quarter of 2022.
- Food Index:
- The 2022 mid-year groceries index in Australia was 72.75.
- Australia holds the 9th place in the world for the highest food index.
6. Demographic Variances in Spending:
- Evidence: Aussies from Tasmania spend the most money on food in Australia, with $160 per week.
- Age Group Spending:
- Aussies who are 70 years or older spend the least money on food, with an average weekly grocery bill of $129.
- Couples around 65 years of age spend much more on food than the national average.
7. Additional Insights:
- Evidence: According to Trading Economics, the food inflation in the first quarter of 2022 was measured at 4.3%.
In conclusion, the data outlined in the article provides a comprehensive overview of the evolving landscape of food costs in Australia, reflecting the dynamic interplay of economic factors and consumer behaviors. The evidence presented underscores the necessity for individuals and families to adapt their grocery budgeting strategies in response to fluctuating prices and external economic pressures.
