Australian household spending increased by 0.6% month-on-month in September 2026, rebounding from a downwardly revised 0.1% fall in August and marking the seventh monthly rise so far this year. The recovery was broad-based, with spending picking up in clothing (0.1% vs -1.1% in August), health (1.5% vs -0.7%), and recreation (0.8% vs -1.7%). Growth also strengthened in miscellaneous goods and services (0.6% vs 0.1%).
Transport outlays continued to rise, up 1.5% following a 2.3% gain in the prior month, while spending at hotels, cafes, and restaurants remained solid at 0.5%, unchanged from August. In contrast, expenditure on furnishings continued to decline, albeit at a slower pace (-0.2% vs -0.7%).
By region, spending increased across all states and territories, led by the Northern Territory (1.2%), Western Australia (1.1%), Victoria (1.0%), South Australia (0.6%), and Tasmania (0.5%). On a yearly basis, household spending growth quickened to 6.8% in September from 6.5% in August.
