The average Australian household spends about half of the money that they spend on goods and services towards these main three expenses: Housing, Food and Transport.
The latest Household Expenditure Survey, from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) shows that the average Australian household spent $1,236 per week on goods and services in 2009–10.
This level of weekly expenditure varied across states and territories as follows:
Household Weekly Expenditure.
- $1,236 All of Australia
- $1,310 All Capital Cities
- $1,107 in areas outside of capital cities.
Household Weekly Expenditure per State:
- $1,536 Australian Capital Territory
- $1,500 Northern Territory
- $1,285 Western Australia
- $1,265 New South Wales
- $1,241 Queensland
- $1,225 Victoria
- $1,064 Tasmania
- $1,044 South Australia
Change in Spending Breakdown from 1984 to 2009-10
| Type of Expense | 1984 | 2009–10 |
| Housing costs | 12.8% | 18.0% |
| Domestic fuel and power | 2.9% | 2.6% |
| Food and non-alcoholic beverages | 19.7% | 16.5% |
| Alcoholic beverages | 3.4% | 2.6% |
| Tobacco products | 1.6% | 1.0% |
| Clothing and footwear | 6.5% | 3.6% |
| Household furnishings and equipment | 7.7% | 4.7% |
| Household services and operation | 4.3% | 5.5% |
| Medical care and health expenses | 3.9% | 5.3% |
| Transport | 16.3% | 15.6% |
| Recreation | 11.9% | 13.1% |
| Personal care | 1.8% | 1.9% |
| Miscellaneous goods and services | 7.2% | 9.4% |
| Total goods and services expenditure | 100.0% | 100.0% |
The above shows that we are now spending less on:
- Domestic fuel and power down 10%
- Food and non-alcoholic beverages down 16%
- Alcoholic beverages down 24%
- Tobacco products down 38%
- Clothing and footwear down 45%
- Household furnishings and equipment down 39%
- Transport down 4%
But we are spending more on:
- Housing costs up 41%
- Household services and operation up 28%
- Medical care and health expenses up 36%
- Recreation up 10%
- Personal care up 6%
- Miscellaneous goods and services up 31%
The above percentage figures show the change in the total proportion of spending, not the actual change in $ value.
The two main current costs in the above figures are:
The Increase in Housing costs, from 12.8% of the total expenses to 18.0%, an increase of 41%.
Does the change in our current standard of housing, from 1984 to 2011 justify this extra?
What was the average house in 1984 and what is the average house in 2011?
The Reduction in Food and non-alcoholic beverages costs, from 19.7% to 16.5%
Why have we reduced the proportion of our funds spent on food? Is it because we now spend more on Housing instead, or have the types of food that we buy become cheaper?
In 1984 the average household spent, each week:
$361.84 on Total goods and services expenditure
$ 80.07 on Income tax
$ 6.49 on Mortgage principal repayments
$ 11.51 on Superannuation and life insurance
A total of $459.91 per week, from a Mean gross household income of $454 per week.
By 2009-10 this has become:
$1,236.28 on Total goods and services expenditure
$ 260.19 on Income tax
$ 49.31 on Mortgage principal repayments
$ 73.73 on Superannuation and life insurance
A total of $1,619.51 per week, from a Mean gross household income of $1,688 per week.
Analysis
In 1984 we appeared to spend $5.91 per week MORE than our income.
In 2009-10 we appeared to spend $68.49 per week LESS than our income.
If these figures are correct, we appear to be better off now.
Source: ABS 6530.0 – Household Expenditure Survey 2009-10
Replies are moderated for language considerations, so please use common-sense, and assume people of all ages are reading this.