The household bill one-in-five Australians say is a major source of stress
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Concerning new consumer data reveals that one in five Australians now identify supermarket runs as their single biggest financial worry, even as national weekly grocery spend officially drops.
One in five Australians (20 per cent) say groceries are the household expense they worry about most, according to new findings from Compare the Market’s upcoming 2026 Household Budget Barometer.
One in five Australians (20 per cent) say groceries are the household expense they worry about most. Jo Abi
The anxiety comes despite average national weekly grocery spends actually falling 6 per cent year-on-year, down from $198.16 in 2025 to $186.23 in 2026. Overall, the average Aussie spends $9683.96 a year on groceries, or roughly $806.99 a month.
However, experts stress that the lower spend does not mean shelf prices are coming down.
Instead, it highlights the increasingly savvy tactics shoppers are using to keep their budgets afloat.
The anxiety comes despite average national weekly grocery spends actually falling six per cent year-on-year. Getty
How Australians are changing their grocery habits
More than half of Australians (52 per cent) report searching harder for discounts and specials, while 47 per cent are actively planning cheaper meals to cut checkout totals.
According to the data, other common money saving strategies include reducing food waste (40 per cent), switching to generic brands (34 per cent), shopping at discount stores (29 per cent), bulk purchasing some items (28 per cent) and cutting back on meat (26 per cent).
Compare the Market spokesman Chris Ford explained that households were becoming increasingly resourceful out of necessity rather than enjoying genuine relief at the register.
“The weekly grocery shop remains a major source of stress for many Australian households,” Ford said.
‘The weekly grocery shop remains a major source of stress for many Australian households.’ Jo Abi
“While average spending has fallen, that doesn’t necessarily mean people are finding things easier or that grocery prices are coming down. Many people are spending less because they’ve spent years adapting to higher living costs and are becoming much more strategic about how they shop.”
The hidden Cost: One-in-10 Aussies skipping meals
Despite aggressive budgeting efforts, persist persistent cost-of-living pressures are leaving some households unable to afford basic essentials.
Alarmingly, 12 per cent of Australians surveyed admitted to skipping meals to save money. That number spikes significantly to 18 per cent among young adults aged 18 to 24, as well as those aged 35 to 44.
“It’s encouraging to see Australians finding ways to make their budgets go further, but it’s concerning that some households are still resorting to measures like skipping meals,” Ford said.
‘It’s encouraging to see Australians finding ways to make their budgets go further.’ iStock
“That’s one-in-10 people you know going without lunch or dinner because costs are too high. When people start cutting back on necessities like food, it shows cost-of-living pressures remain very real for many families.”
Six ways to save at the supermarket checkout
Previous Compare the Market research found that simply swapping brand-name items for generic counterparts across 20 everyday products could save households up to $3489 a year.
There are six main ways shoppers are saving at the checkout. Jo Abi
Ways to stretch grocery dollars further without sacrificing nutrition include:
Shop with a plan: Always build weekly meals around catalogue specials and stick to a strict shopping list to avoid impulse buys.
Avoid the loyalty tax: Don't stick with the same product, brand, or grocery store out of habit, as remaining brand loyal can silently cost you hundreds extra over time.
Don’t stick with the same product, brand, or grocery store out of habit. Getty
Switch to home brands: Generic supermarket lines usually offer comparable quality to major labels at a fraction of the cost.
Check unit prices: Always compare price per unit (per 100g, per liter) printed on shelf labels to identify genuine value.
Always compare price per unit. Eamon Gallagher
Maximise rewards points: Take full advantage of supermarket loyalty programs, digital boosters, and personalised offers to lower cart totals.
Use existing perks: Check whether your current health insurer, energy provider, or credit card offers discounted supermarket gift cards or cashback perks.
*Data based on a nationally representative PureProfile survey of 3,078 Australian adults aged 18+, commissioned by Compare the Market in August 2026.
