HOUSEHOLD spending fell 1.1 per cent in April 2026, according to seasonally adjusted figures released last week by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).
Tom Lay, ABS head of business statistics, said: ‘The 4.7 per cent drop in transport costs was the main driver for the 1.1 per cent fall in household spending in April.
‘Annual household spending was up 4.9 per cent compared to April 2025, slowing from the 6.2 per cent annual rise in March.’
The fall in transport spending reflected widespread impacts and responses to the conflict in the Middle East. Air transport was the largest contributor to the decline, as households scaled back travel in response to broader uncertainties and higher airfares.
Higher jet fuel costs also added to the fall in transport spending, as airlines cancelled routes during the month to keep services viable. The resulting refunds are recorded as a reduction in Air Transport.
Fuel spending remained elevated compared to before the Middle East conflict but eased in comparison to March.