Groceries are the expense that hits every single Australian household, week in and week out. Unlike rent or a mortgage, there is no fixed contract locking in your food costs. Prices shift with the seasons, supply chain disruptions, fuel costs, and the broader economic climate. And if you have felt like your grocery bill has been climbing steadily over the past few years, you are not imagining things.
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), food and non-alcoholic beverages prices rose by approximately 3.5 per cent in the twelve months to December 2025, sitting on top of the sharp increases seen through 2022 to 2024. The cumulative effect means many everyday staples now cost 20 to 30 per cent more than they did just four years ago.
This guide breaks down what Australians are actually spending on groceries, compares prices across the major supermarket chains, examines how costs vary by state, and offers practical strategies for keeping your weekly shop manageable.
What Does the Average Australian Spend on Groceries?
The ABS Household Expenditure Survey and more recent consumer research paint a reasonably consistent picture. As of late 2025 and into early 2026, the average Australian household spends roughly $150 to $220 per week on groceries, depending on household size and location.
Here is a rough breakdown by household type:
- Single person: $80 to $130 per week
- Couple without children: $140 to $200 per week
- Family with two children: $220 to $320 per week
- Single parent with one child: $130 to $190 per week
These figures cover food and non-alcoholic beverages purchased from supermarkets, greengrocers, butchers, and other retail outlets. They do not include takeaway or restaurant meals, which add considerably to overall food spending for many households.
It is worth noting that these are averages. Your actual spend will depend on dietary preferences, where you shop, whether you buy organic, how much meat you consume, and how disciplined you are about meal planning.
The Price of Common Grocery Items
To give you a concrete sense of what things cost, here is a snapshot of typical supermarket prices for common items in early 2026. These are approximate mid-range prices drawn from major chain supermarkets in metropolitan areas.
Dairy and Eggs
- Full cream milk (2L): $3.20 to $3.60
- Block cheese (500g, tasty): $5.50 to $7.00
- Butter (250g): $4.00 to $5.50
- Dozen free-range eggs: $6.50 to $8.00
- Greek yoghurt (1kg): $6.00 to $8.50
Bread and Bakery
- White sliced bread (loaf): $3.00 to $3.80
- Sourdough loaf: $5.00 to $7.00
- Bread rolls (6 pack): $3.50 to $4.50
Meat and Protein
- Chicken breast (per kg): $10.00 to $14.00
- Beef mince (per kg): $12.00 to $16.00
- Lamb chops (per kg): $18.00 to $28.00
- Pork loin chops (per kg): $12.00 to $18.00
- Salmon fillets (per kg): $28.00 to $38.00
- Canned tuna (95g): $1.50 to $2.50
Fruit and Vegetables
- Bananas (per kg): $3.00 to $5.00
- Apples (per kg): $4.00 to $6.00
- Tomatoes (per kg): $5.00 to $8.00
- Potatoes (2kg bag): $4.00 to $5.50
- Broccoli (per kg): $4.00 to $7.00
- Lettuce (iceberg, each): $2.50 to $4.00
- Avocados (each): $1.50 to $3.50
Pantry Staples
- Rice (1kg): $2.50 to $4.00
- Pasta (500g): $1.50 to $3.00
- Olive oil (500ml): $7.00 to $12.00
- Canned tomatoes (400g): $1.00 to $2.00
- Peanut butter (375g): $4.00 to $6.50
- Cereal (500g box): $4.50 to $7.00
Prices for fresh produce can swing significantly depending on the season. A head of iceberg lettuce that costs $2.50 in a good growing season can easily triple after floods, drought, or other supply disruptions, as Australians learned painfully during the lettuce price spike of 2022.
Coles vs Woolworths vs Aldi: How Do They Compare?
Australia’s grocery market is famously concentrated, with Coles and Woolworths together commanding around 65 per cent of the market. Aldi holds roughly 10 per cent, with IGA, Costco, and independent retailers making up the rest.
Woolworths
Woolworths is the largest supermarket chain in Australia. Its prices tend to sit in the middle to upper range, but the chain runs frequent specials and half-price promotions. The Everyday Rewards loyalty programme offers points and occasional targeted discounts. Woolworths generally has the widest product range, particularly for premium and specialty items.
Coles
Coles prices are broadly comparable to Woolworths, and the two chains engage in regular price-matching behaviour on key staples. Coles runs its Flybuys loyalty programme and has invested heavily in its own-brand products, which are typically 20 to 40 per cent cheaper than the equivalent branded items. Coles has also been expanding its “Value” and “Simply” budget ranges.
Aldi
Aldi consistently comes out cheapest in independent basket comparisons, typically 10 to 25 per cent cheaper than Coles and Woolworths for a comparable shop. The trade-off is a much smaller product range, limited branded products, and a more basic shopping experience. Aldi’s model relies on a high proportion of private-label products, smaller stores, and lower staffing levels to keep costs down.
Consumer group CHOICE has conducted annual supermarket price surveys for years, and Aldi has won the cheapest basket award consistently. In their most recent comparison, a basket of common items at Aldi came in at roughly 15 per cent less than the same basket at Coles or Woolworths.
The Hybrid Approach
Many cost-conscious Australian families adopt a hybrid shopping strategy: doing the bulk of the weekly shop at Aldi for pantry staples, dairy, and household products, then topping up at Coles or Woolworths for specific branded items, a wider fresh produce range, or to take advantage of half-price specials.
State-by-State: Where Are Groceries Most Expensive?
Grocery prices are not uniform across Australia. Several factors drive regional variation, including transport costs, local competition, population density, and climate.
Most Expensive
- Northern Territory: Darwin consistently has the highest grocery prices of any capital city. The remote location, smaller population, and heavy reliance on goods shipped or trucked in from southern states all contribute. Prices for fresh produce can be 20 to 40 per cent higher than in Sydney or Melbourne.
- Tasmania: Hobart grocery prices have been rising as the state’s population grows. The island’s separation from mainland supply chains adds to costs, particularly for imported and out-of-season produce.
Mid-Range
- New South Wales and Victoria: Sydney and Melbourne have large, competitive markets with good access to all major chains, keeping prices relatively moderate. However, higher operating costs in inner-city locations can push prices up at some stores.
- Queensland: Brisbane is broadly in line with Sydney and Melbourne. Regional Queensland, however, can see higher prices, particularly in Far North Queensland.
- Western Australia: Perth prices are slightly above the eastern seaboard average, reflecting the state’s geographic isolation from major eastern supply chains.
Most Affordable
- South Australia: Adelaide has historically had some of the cheapest grocery prices among capital cities, partly due to the strong presence of local producers and competitive market dynamics.
- ACT: Canberra sits in a relatively competitive pocket, though the higher average income in the territory can mask the impact of prices that are broadly average.
In remote and very remote communities across Australia, grocery prices can be dramatically higher. Research by the NT Government and various Indigenous health organisations has found that a standard food basket in remote Aboriginal communities can cost 40 to 60 per cent more than in Darwin, which is already the most expensive capital for groceries.
Why Have Grocery Prices Risen So Much?
Multiple factors have combined to push Australian grocery costs higher since 2020:
Supply Chain Disruption
COVID-19 lockdowns, followed by the war in Ukraine, disrupted global food supply chains. Wheat, vegetable oil, and fertiliser prices all spiked internationally, flowing through to Australian retail prices with a lag.
Extreme Weather
Australia experienced significant flooding across NSW and Queensland in 2022 and again in 2024, destroying crops, killing livestock, and damaging transport infrastructure. These events caused short-term price spikes that were particularly visible in fresh produce.
Energy and Transport Costs
Higher fuel prices and rising electricity costs have increased the expense of transporting goods and running cold-chain logistics. These costs are passed through to consumers.
Labour Costs
Wage growth in the retail, agriculture, and logistics sectors has been solid, which is positive for workers but contributes to higher shelf prices.
Corporate Margins
The ACCC’s supermarket inquiry has highlighted that Coles and Woolworths have maintained or expanded their profit margins during the inflationary period, raising questions about the extent to which price increases reflect genuine cost pressures versus margin expansion.
Practical Tips for Reducing Your Grocery Bill
Here are strategies that can make a genuine difference to your weekly spend.
Plan Your Meals
Meal planning is consistently the single most effective way to reduce grocery costs. Deciding what you will eat for the week before you shop means you buy only what you need, reducing impulse purchases and food waste. Australian households throw away an estimated $2,500 to $3,800 worth of food per year, according to research from the CSIRO and various state environment agencies.
Shop the Specials
Both Coles and Woolworths publish their weekly specials every Wednesday. Apps like “Half Price” aggregate these deals. If you are flexible about what you eat, building your meal plan around whatever protein and produce is on special can save 15 to 25 per cent.
Embrace Home Brands
Supermarket own-brand products are manufactured by the same companies that produce branded equivalents in many cases. Switching from branded to own-brand across your regular shop can easily save $20 to $50 per week.
Buy Seasonal Produce
Fruit and vegetables are cheapest and best quality when they are in season locally. Buying strawberries in winter or stone fruit in spring means paying a premium for imports or hot-house growing. The Sydney Markets and Melbourne Market websites publish seasonal availability guides.
Reduce Meat Consumption
Meat is typically the most expensive category in a weekly shop. Even replacing two or three meat-based dinners per week with legume, egg, or tofu-based meals can make a noticeable difference. A kilogram of dried lentils costs a fraction of a kilogram of beef mince and provides comparable protein.
Use Cashback and Rewards
Everyday Rewards and Flybuys points add up over time. Cashback apps and fuel discount vouchers provide additional marginal savings. None of these will transform your budget on their own, but they contribute.
Shop Less Frequently
Research suggests that Australians who shop daily or multiple times per week spend more overall than those who do a single planned weekly shop. Every trip into a supermarket exposes you to impulse purchases.
Consider Markets and Bulk Buying
Farmers’ markets, wholesale fruit and vegetable markets, and bulk food stores can offer savings, particularly on fresh produce and pantry staples. Buying rice, oats, nuts, and spices in bulk is often significantly cheaper per kilogram than supermarket equivalents.
Grocery Costs by Capital City: A Closer Look
While state-by-state comparisons give a broad picture, drilling into specific capital city pricing reveals notable differences that affect your weekly budget.
Sydney
Sydney grocery prices sit at the national average for most items, but fresh produce tends to be slightly more expensive due to higher commercial rents for supermarkets and greengrocers. A weekly shop for a family of four in Sydney’s inner west or eastern suburbs typically costs $280 to $350, while outer western suburbs like Penrith or Campbelltown can be $30 to $50 cheaper for an equivalent basket. The concentration of Asian grocery stores in suburbs like Eastwood, Hurstville, and Cabramatta offers significant savings on rice, noodles, tofu, and fresh vegetables.
Melbourne
Melbourne benefits from strong competition between Coles, Woolworths, Aldi, and a vibrant network of independent grocers and market halls. The Queen Victoria Market and South Melbourne Market remain popular options for fresh produce at competitive prices. A family of four can expect to spend $260 to $330 per week. Melbourne also has a strong network of bulk food stores in suburbs like Brunswick, Northcote, and Footscray, where pantry staples can be purchased at 20 to 40 per cent below supermarket prices.
Brisbane
Brisbane grocery costs are broadly comparable to Melbourne, though tropical fruits like mangoes, pineapples, and bananas tend to be cheaper in season due to proximity to North Queensland growing regions. A family of four typically spends $250 to $320 per week. The Rocklea Markets on the south side offer wholesale-to-public sales on Saturdays, with savings of 30 to 50 per cent on fruit and vegetables compared to supermarket prices.
Perth
Perth sits slightly above the national average, reflecting Western Australia’s distance from eastern seaboard supply chains. Dairy products and packaged goods tend to carry a small premium of 5 to 10 per cent over eastern states prices. However, locally produced items like seafood, lamb, and certain seasonal fruits can be competitive. A family of four typically spends $270 to $340 per week.
Adelaide
Adelaide consistently ranks as one of the cheapest capital cities for groceries. Strong local agricultural production, a competitive retail environment, and lower commercial rents all contribute. The Central Market is one of the best fresh food markets in the country, offering high-quality produce at prices often 20 to 30 per cent below major supermarkets. A family of four can comfortably shop for $230 to $300 per week.
Hobart
Hobart has seen grocery prices climb as the city’s population has grown. The island location adds freight costs, particularly for products not grown locally. However, Tasmania’s strong agricultural sector means locally produced dairy, meat, and seasonal produce can be very good value. A family of four typically spends $260 to $330 per week, though prices for imported or out-of-season items can spike.
Darwin
Darwin is the most expensive capital city for groceries by a significant margin. The tyranny of distance means almost everything is trucked or shipped from southern states. Fresh produce is particularly affected, with prices for leafy greens, berries, and other perishables often 30 to 50 per cent higher than in Sydney or Melbourne. A family of four should budget $310 to $400 per week.
Canberra
Canberra sits broadly in line with Sydney pricing, though slightly lower on average. The city’s compact geography and higher-than-average household incomes support a good range of retailers including Costco, which opened a second ACT warehouse in recent years. A family of four typically spends $270 to $340 per week.
Government Assistance and Rebates for Food Costs
While there is no direct government subsidy for grocery shopping in Australia, several programmes can indirectly reduce food costs for eligible households.
Income Support and Cost-of-Living Payments
Centrelink recipients, including those on JobSeeker, the Age Pension, Disability Support Pension, and Family Tax Benefit, periodically receive cost-of-living supplements. The federal government has issued one-off cost-of-living payments in recent budgets, typically ranging from $250 to $500 per eligible recipient.
Community Food Programmes
Organisations like Foodbank Australia, OzHarvest, and SecondBite distribute surplus food to community organisations across the country. Foodbank alone provides meals to more than 900,000 Australians each month. If you are experiencing food insecurity, contacting your local community centre or searching the Ask Izzy website (askizzy.org.au) can connect you with food relief services in your area.
School Breakfast Programmes
Several state governments and not-for-profit organisations run school breakfast programmes that provide free meals to children in disadvantaged areas. These programmes reduce the grocery burden for families with school-aged children while ensuring children start the day with adequate nutrition.
Concession Cards and Discounts
Holders of a Health Care Card, Pensioner Concession Card, or Commonwealth Seniors Health Card are eligible for various state-based concessions on utilities and transport, which frees up household budget for groceries. Some community grocers and food cooperatives also offer discounts to concession card holders.
The Real Cost of Food Waste
One of the most overlooked aspects of grocery costs is waste. According to the National Food Waste Strategy Feasibility Study, Australian households waste approximately 7.6 million tonnes of food each year. On a per-household basis, this translates to roughly $2,000 to $3,800 worth of food thrown away annually.
The most commonly wasted items include fresh vegetables, bread, leftovers, fruit, and dairy products. Reducing food waste is effectively the same as giving yourself a pay rise on your grocery budget.
Practical Steps to Reduce Food Waste
- Store food correctly. Leafy greens last longer wrapped in a damp cloth in the fridge. Herbs can be stored in a glass of water like flowers. Bread freezes well and defrosts quickly.
- Use your freezer strategically. Batch cook soups, stews, and curries, and freeze portions for nights when you do not feel like cooking. Freeze overripe bananas for smoothies or banana bread.
- Understand date labels. “Best before” means the food is still safe to eat after that date but may not be at peak quality. “Use by” is the only date that relates to food safety. Throwing away food that is past its “best before” date but still perfectly edible is a significant source of household waste.
- Plan for leftovers. Cook a roast chicken on Sunday, use the leftovers for sandwiches on Monday, and make stock from the carcass for soup on Tuesday. This kind of intentional meal sequencing reduces waste and stretches your protein spend.
- Compost what you cannot eat. While this does not save money directly, composting food scraps reduces landfill waste and can improve your garden soil if you grow any of your own produce.
Growing Your Own: Is It Worth It?
Home food production has surged in popularity since the pandemic, and there is a genuine case for it as a cost-saving measure, with caveats.
Herbs are the clearest win. A pot of basil, parsley, mint, or coriander costs $3 to $5 from a nursery and can provide months of fresh herbs that would otherwise cost $3 to $4 per bunch from the supermarket. Tomatoes, zucchini, lettuce, and spring onions are also relatively easy to grow in Australian conditions and can produce substantial yields.
However, a full vegetable garden requires time, water, soil preparation, and ongoing maintenance. For many time-poor households, the economics only work for high-value, easy-to-grow items. Start small with herbs and salad greens, and expand if you enjoy the process.
Community gardens are an alternative for renters or apartment dwellers who lack garden space. Many local councils run community garden programmes where residents can access a plot for a small annual fee.
Looking Ahead: Will Grocery Prices Come Down?
The pace of grocery price increases has moderated compared to the peaks of 2022 and 2023, but prices are unlikely to return to pre-pandemic levels. The ACCC’s ongoing scrutiny of supermarket pricing practices may lead to greater transparency and competitive pressure, but structural factors like climate risk, energy costs, and labour costs will continue to put upward pressure on food prices.
The most practical response for households is to focus on what is within your control: how you plan, where you shop, what you buy, and how much you waste.
The Bottom Line
The average Australian household is spending somewhere between $150 and $320 per week on groceries depending on family size, and those numbers are higher than they were a few years ago. Shopping at Aldi, embracing own-brand products, planning meals, and reducing waste remain the most effective levers for keeping costs manageable. Where you live also matters, with remote and regional areas bearing a disproportionate cost burden.
Understanding what drives grocery prices, and tracking what you actually spend, puts you in the best position to make informed decisions about how you feed your household.
Disclaimer: The information in this article is general in nature and is intended for informational purposes only. It does not constitute financial, dietary, or professional advice. Prices quoted are approximate and will vary by location, retailer, and season. Always do your own research and consult qualified professionals where appropriate. Expensive Australia is not affiliated with any supermarket chain or retailer mentioned in this article.