In brief
Australian household spending rose 0.6 % in September, following a 0.1 % decline in August, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics. Transport and health spending each grew 1.5 %, with fuel prices and increased medical visits underpinning the gains. The rise marked the fourth straight quarter of growth across most spending categories.
Australian household spending climbed 0.6 % in September after a 0.1 % decline in August, official data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) showed on November 4.
Both everyday and discretionary expenditures grew. Transport and health spending each rose 1.5 %, while recreation and culture grew 0.8 %. The biggest lift came from transport, which grew 1.6 % on the quarterly basis.
Fuel costs were a major driver, with petrol spending up 5.4 % after the end of fuel‑excise relief in early August. However, the volume of fuel purchased fell 2.2 % in September, a trend that began the month before.
Health spending rose due to higher costs for doctor visits, dental and eye care, pharmaceuticals and toiletry items. Tom Lay, head of business statistics at the ABS, added that late‑season flu activity likely pushed up demand for medical services and medicines.
Tom Lay said: "Transport spending rose on higher expenditure on fuel, vehicle repairs and maintenance, and domestic air travel as people travelled to attend major sporting events."
On a quarterly basis, spending grew 0.7 % in the September quarter, giving Australia its fourth consecutive quarter of growth. Seven of nine spending categories saw increases, with transport posting the strongest expansion driven largely by higher air‑travel costs."
