Australian household spending was unchanged in August 2026 following increases in each of the previous two months. As per the data shared by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) and released on 29 September 2026, household spending had risen by 1.1% in July and 0.9% in June before remaining flat in August. Compared with the same month a year earlier, total household spending was 6.8% higher.

The August result reflected offsetting movements across spending categories. Recreation and culture recorded the largest monthly decline, falling 1.4% after a period of higher spending associated with major sporting events. Spending also decreased across clothing and footwear, recreational goods, food, health and furniture.

These declines were balanced by higher transport spending, which increased 2.3% during the month. Both fuel purchases and new vehicle sales contributed to the increase, with electric vehicle sales also forming part of the rise in transport-related expenditure.

Fuel Spending Rises in August

Fuel spending increased 8.1% in August. The rise followed the full restoration of fuel excise duty from 3 August after the Federal Government's Fuel Tax Relief measures introduced on 1 April.

The ABS reported that without the increase in fuel spending, total household spending would have declined 0.3% during August.

Experimental data also showed a different movement in the volume of fuel spending. While the current-price value of fuel expenditure increased, the estimated volume of fuel spending fell by 0.5% in August. This followed a 4.6% decrease in July.

This means the monthly household spending result included a noticeable difference between the amount spent on fuel and the estimated quantity of fuel-related consumption.

Recreation and Other Categories Record Falls

Recreation and culture recorded the largest decline among the reported spending categories, with expenditure falling 1.4% from July.

The ABS said this followed several months of elevated spending associated with major sporting events.

Other categories recording lower spending included clothing and footwear, recreational goods, food, health and furniture. These declines were collectively offset by the increase in transport spending, leaving total household expenditure unchanged for the month.

The data therefore showed a mixed pattern in consumer expenditure rather than a broad increase or decline across all categories.

Annual Household Spending Remains Higher

Although spending was unchanged on a monthly basis, households continued to spend more than they had a year earlier.

Total household spending was 6.8% higher than in August 2025.

The annual comparison sits alongside the stronger monthly increases recorded earlier in the winter period, including the 0.9% rise in June and the 1.1% increase in July.

August therefore represented a pause in monthly growth after two consecutive increases, while the annual level of expenditure remained above the corresponding period of the previous year.

How the Household Spending Indicator Is Compiled

The Monthly Household Spending Indicator uses several sources of transaction and sales information.

According to the ABS, the indicator incorporates aggregated and de-identified card transactions from banks, supermarket scanner information and motor vehicle sales data.

The measure covers nine of the thirteen main spending divisions classified under the relevant consumption framework. It excludes housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels, communication and education services.

The ABS also notes that the indicator should be compared carefully with other household spending measures because the coverage and methodology can differ between statistical products.

Key Takeaway

The August 2026 household spending data showed no change from July, following increases in each of the previous two months.

Higher transport expenditure, including increased fuel spending and new vehicle purchases, offset declines across recreation, clothing, food, health and furniture.

Fuel spending rose sharply in current-price terms, while experimental volume data indicated a small decline in fuel consumption. On an annual basis, household spending remained 6.8% higher than a year earlier.