Spring cleaning contributes to lift in household spending in September

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Households spent $77.4 billion in September, an increase of $172.9 million from the previous month, in seasonally adjusted terms, according to the latest ABS Monthly Household Spending Indicator (MHSI), released today.

Recreation and culture, which includes items such as cultural and sporting events, pets, and pet services, and recreational services, drove the rise in spending, with a total monthly spend of $13.3 billion, up $149.1 million from the previous month.

How did households spend in September?

Only three other categories recorded an increase in monthly spending for September: food (+$71.2 million), health (+$66.6 million), and furnishings and household equipment (+$20.1 million).

The category of furnishings and household equipment recorded its second-largest monthly spend, on record, at $5.4 billion, with ABS commentary crediting the purchase of household tools and appliances for adding to the lift, aligning with the arrival of the spring cleaning season.

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Monthly Household Spending Indicator: September 2025
Category	Sep-25	Change month-on-month	Change year-on-year
Total	$77.4 billion	+$172.9 million +0.2%	+$3.8 billion +5.1%
Food	$12.3 billion	+$71.2 million +0.6%	+$739.8 million +6.4%
Alcoholic beverages and tobacco	$2.9 billion	-$22.1 million -0.8%	-$596.9 million -17.3%
Clothing and footwear	$4.3 billion	-$24.1 million -0.6%	+$154.2 million +3.7%
Furnishings and household equipment	$5.4 billion	+$20.1 million +0.4%	+$184.5 million +3.5%
Health	$9.2 billion	+$66.6 million +0.7%	+$690.0 million +8.10%
Transport	$12.9 billion	-$51.8 million -0.4%	+$575.2 million +4.7%
Recreation and culture	$13.3 billion	+$149.1 million +1.1%	+$966.4 million +7.8%
Hotels, cafes and restaurants	$9.7 billion	-$28.8 million -0.3%	+$459.1 million +5.0%
Miscellaneous goods and services	$7.5 billion	-$7.4 million -0.1%	+$593.8 million +8.7%

Source: ABS Monthly Household Spending Indicator, September 25, seasonally adjusted data. Prepared by Canstar.

What does research reveal about Australians’ spending habits?

With September heralding a new season, households looking to spruce up their homes or kick off a spring clean were likely on the hunt for the tools and appliances to help them with the job.

Canstar research shows that when purchasing new appliances, shoppers are savvy, doing their research or looking for a sale before buying. For example:

Vacuum cleaners

Canstar’s survey data shows consumers will spend an average of $512 on a new vacuum cleaner; however, almost half (47%) will research beforehand, and two-fifths (43%) will purchase the appliance on sale.
Price is the most important consideration for shoppers, while being able to use a vacuum cleaner for multiple functions means that 42% are buying products with multiple attachments.

Fridges

Canstar’s survey shows the average amount consumers spend on a new fridge is $2,045 for a French Door fridge, $1,240 for a bottom-mount, and $891 for a top-mount.
While the majority of consumers will buy a new fridge because their old one has broken, 18% have said they recently purchased a new fridge as they wanted it to match their decor.

Canstar spokesperson, Eden Radford, says, “September brought warmer weather and a change in season, which is likely what encouraged households to get out, enjoy some recreation and culture, and get stuck into spring cleaning.”

“The latest spending figures show households kept busy in September, buying the tools or appliances to help them around the home or garden.

“Consumers certainly weren’t making these purchasing decisions blindly, however. Research shows shoppers made sure to research, compare, and purchase items on sale, proving Aussies are certainly savvy when they need to spend.”