Household spending, including for those living in Maribyrnong and Hobsons Bay, rose 7.6 per cent in April 2022 compared to the same time last year, according to figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics [ABS].
ABS head of macroeconomic statistics Andrew Tomadini said the largest increases in spending were on furniture and household equipment (14.9 per cent), hotels, cafes and restaurants (14.3 per cent) and transport (12.4 per cent).
“As COVID-19 restrictions eased, household spending increased in eight of the nine spending categories in April 2022 compared to April 2021. Spending in recreation, hospitality and retail continued to rise. Spending on health was the only category to decrease in April 2022, down 1.4 per cent,” he said.
Across the nation, all states and territories recorded increases in household spending in April 2022.
Queensland (11.4 per cent), South Australia (9.5 percent) and Western Australia (8.1 per cent) recorded the largest increases in spending throughout the year.
The greatest increases in household spending were recorded in clothing and footwear (25.9 per cent), alcoholic beverages and tobacco (21.6 per cent), and health (14.5 per cent).
Household spending on hotels, cafes and restaurants recovered to 3.3 per cent above pre-pandemic levels.
Transport remained the only spending category below pre-pandemic levels (down 4.6 per cent).
