Household spending continued to rise in August 2022, increasing by 29.0 per cent compared to the same time last year, according to figures released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).
Jacqui Vitas, ABS head of macroeconomic statistics, said August 2022 saw the 18th consecutive month of increases through the year in total household spending, with increases in all spending categories.
“There were strong increases following COVID-19 Delta lockdowns that reduced spending last year. The strongest increases were seen in Clothing and footwear (up 75.8 per cent), Hotels, cafes and restaurants (up 64.8 per cent) and Transport (up 57.8 per cent).”
Spending categories that were not as impacted by lockdowns, such as Food (up 2.4 per cent) and Alcoholic beverages and tobacco (up 0.2 per cent) saw only small rises compared with August 2021.
Compared to pre-pandemic August 2019 estimates, total household spending was 15.8 per cent higher in current price, calendar adjusted terms.
The strongest increases over this period were in Recreation and culture (up 31.1 per cent), Clothing and footwear (up 26.3 per cent) and Furnishings and household equipment (up 20.1 per cent). Food also saw increased spending, with a rise of 15.8 per cent.
| Date | Clothing and footwear | Hotels, cafes and restaurants | Transport | Food |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan-19 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100.0 |
| Feb-19 | 93.7 | 96.9 | 107.8 | 103.5 |
| Mar-19 | 100.4 | 100.7 | 109.3 | 104.4 |
| Apr-19 | 109.9 | 108.4 | 111.8 | 103.9 |
| May-19 | 114.5 | 102.5 | 115.2 | 102.3 |
| Jun-19 | 119.5 | 104.9 | 111.1 | 100.6 |
| Jul-19 | 108.6 | 109.4 | 111.3 | 101.5 |
| Aug-19 | 110.5 | 108.1 | 114.3 | 105.1 |
| Sep-19 | 110.5 | 109.4 | 112 | 104.7 |
| Oct-19 | 117.4 | 110.6 | 112.7 | 109.8 |
| Nov-19 | 136.9 | 108.9 | 112.1 | 110.9 |
| Dec-19 | 181 | 115.5 | 110.9 | 115.4 |
| Jan-20 | 105.9 | 107.8 | 108 | 104.4 |
| Feb-20 | 94.3 | 97.7 | 107.4 | 104.5 |
| Mar-20 | 80.2 | 69.3 | 83.5 | 130.9 |
| Apr-20 | 53.1 | 34.9 | 48.6 | 109.1 |
| May-20 | 97 | 42.1 | 58.7 | 111.1 |
| Jun-20 | 109.6 | 60.8 | 67.2 | 110.2 |
| Jul-20 | 107.6 | 69.7 | 68.1 | 114.6 |
| Aug-20 | 92.8 | 67.3 | 64.1 | 115.9 |
| Sep-20 | 101.5 | 74.3 | 68.8 | 115.2 |
| Oct-20 | 108.9 | 75.9 | 73.1 | 115.7 |
| Nov-20 | 158.3 | 83.7 | 83.2 | 117.8 |
| Dec-20 | 187.6 | 95.7 | 87.6 | 127.2 |
| Jan-21 | 107.7 | 88.1 | 75.7 | 109.2 |
| Feb-21 | 98.6 | 85.9 | 82.5 | 110.4 |
| Mar-21 | 110.6 | 93.4 | 90.8 | 112.2 |
| Apr-21 | 122.7 | 98.3 | 92.1 | 109.2 |
| May-21 | 125 | 96.3 | 93.9 | 111 |
| Jun-21 | 118.5 | 94.6 | 89.8 | 111.5 |
| Jul-21 | 91.6 | 84.2 | 81.8 | 114.7 |
| Aug-21 | 79.4 | 74.7 | 74.9 | 118.9 |
| Sep-21 | 86.2 | 81.3 | 77.8 | 119.2 |
| Oct-21 | 112 | 89.6 | 84 | 119.2 |
| Nov-21 | 177.7 | 104.3 | 94.8 | 119 |
| Dec-21 | 204.2 | 113.1 | 93.9 | 130.3 |
| Jan-22 | 117 | 97.1 | 86.2 | 118.3 |
| Feb-22 | 117.6 | 101 | 104 | 116.9 |
| Mar-22 | 127.4 | 106.6 | 111.5 | 117.2 |
| Apr-22 | 144.1 | 119.4 | 107.2 | 119.6 |
| May-22 | 146.8 | 114.2 | 114.7 | 117.6 |
| Jun-22 | 150.9 | 119.8 | 120 | 117.1 |
| Jul-22 | 145.1 | 124 | 119.9 | 120.2 |
| Aug-22 | 139.6 | 123.1 | 118.2 | 121.7 |
This line graph shows the household spending index numbers in current price, calendar adjusted terms.
All states and territories saw increases in household spending in August 2022, compared to August 2021, with the Australian Capital Territory (up 46.7 per cent), New South Wales (up 42.3 per cent), and Victoria (up 33.5 per cent) recording the highest increases in spending through the year. All three jurisdictions experienced lockdowns due to the Delta wave this time last year.
Compared to pre-pandemic August 2019 estimates, all states showed rises in household spending with Queensland (up 21.5 per cent), South Australia (up 19.6 per cent) and the Australian Capital Territory (up 18.2 per cent) showing the strongest rises.
| TTY – Compared to August 2021 | Compared to August 2019 | |
|---|---|---|
| NSW | 42.3 | 14.1 |
| Vic. | 33.5 | 12.0 |
| Qld | 22.0 | 21.5 |
| SA | 14.2 | 19.6 |
| WA | 13.3 | 17.7 |
| Tas. | 15.4 | 17.2 |
| NT | 10.1 | 14.2 |
| ACT | 46.7 | 18.2 |
This bar graph shows the changes in total household spending for all the states and territories when comparing the August 2022 to the August 2021 and 2019 (pre-pandemic) estimates.
