The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has reported a 1.1 per cent fall in household spending in April 2026, according to seasonally adjusted figures, however reported spending on hotels, cafés, and restaurants rose 0.5 per cent.
This small rise in hospitality spending follows a fall in spending of 0.9 per cent in March, and a 0.4 per cent rise in February, with the overall drop in household spending following a 1.6 per cent rise in March and a 0.3 per cent rise in February.
Key drivers of the changes in household spending habits have been attributed to macroeconomic factors such as rising transport and fuel costs.
Year-on-year spending was up in April, according to ABS Head of Business Statistics, Tom Lay.
“Annual household spending was up 4.9 per cent compared to April 2025, slowing from the 6.2 per cent annual rise in March,” says Tom.
The data comes from the Monthly Household Spending Indicator, April 2026.
