Woolworths hikes price of everyday budget essential in quiet blow for shoppers
Woolworths has hiked the price of its 1.5L home brand water product, just days after Coles increased the cost of its paper shopping bags from 25 to 30 cents. For shoppers, it’s a case of ‘the hits keep coming’ as cost of living pressure continue in the lead up to the festive season.
A Woolworths spokesperson told nine.com.au the price increase is due to “significant input cost increases”.
Woolworths has hiked the price of its 1.5L home brand water product. Supplied
“Household budgets remain under real pressure and our focus continues to be on providing Aussie families with dependable low prices on their weekly shop, thousands of products on Lower Shelf Prices, Everyday Low Prices, plus our weekly specials,” they said.
"Our suppliers, including Aussie manufacturers, farmers and transport operators are facing significant input cost increases. Where cost increases can’t be fully absorbed, some items have seen price increases.
“These adjustments help cover the rising costs of manufacturing, fuel and packaging across our supply chain.”
Both Woolworths’ and Coles’ home brand water products have been increasing in price in 2026. Jo Abi
Woolworths 1.5L Natural Spring Water has increased from 80 cents to $1, which price-matches it to Coles’ similar product.
In August, Coles increased the price of its 24 packs of 600ml water bottles from $8 to $9.50 in August, with Woolies also hiking the price of its similar product.
At the time, a Coles spokesperson told nine.com.au, “We know cost of living is front of mind for many Australians, and we work hard to keep prices as low as possible for our customers.
"While we need to occasionally adjust prices, we remain committed to providing great value through Everyday Low Prices, weekly specials, Flybuys rewards, and Australia's largest range of Own Brand essentials.
The price of Coles’ 24 packs of 600ml water bottles rose in August. Nine
“It is important to note that the price of Coles water 24 x600ml is cheaper than the same period last year, when it was priced at $9.90.”
Woolworths’ 24 packs of 600ml water bottles is currently priced at $9.40 as part of its Everyday Low Prices category. Aldi sells the same for $8.99.
It is understood heavy and high-volume products such as bottled water and bulk bottled water is disproportionately affected by rising freight and transport costs.
At Woolies, 24-packs of 600ml water bottles are currently priced at $9.40. Bloomberg via Getty Images
Rising fuel prices have reportedly contributed to supermarket prices increases. Nine
Rising fuel prices have reportedly contributed to supermarket prices increases across the board in 2026, directly impacted by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
Data released today by Compare the Market in its 2026 Household Budget Barometre report has shown one in five Australians (20 per cent) say groceries are the household expense they worry about the most.
With this in mind, it appears shoppers are managing to keep their grocery spends in check, with the average national weekly grocery spend falling six per cent from $198.16 in 2025 to $186.23 in 2026.
This is the result of consumers using a range of cost-cutting strategies, the report explains, including searching harder for discounts (52 per cent), planning cheaper meals (47 per cent), shopping at cheaper supermarkets (29 per cent), and cutting back on meat purchases (26 per cent).
