The table below compares overall spending of an Australian family in 1991 and 2001.
Overall, the amount of expenses increased in four out of six categories , with electricity and water and other goods and services experiencing the most dramatic growth, while transport and clothing experienced a slight decline.
In 1991, Australian families spent $75 on electricity and water, which increased to $120 by 2001, making this category the one with the biggest growth. Similarly, the figure for other goods and services rose slightly from $250 to $270.
Expenditure on housing also grew considerably, climbing from $95 in 1991 to $100 in 2001. Food showed only a minor rise, from $155 to $160 during the same period. In contrast, transport and clothing were the only categories that recorded a decline. Spending on transport fell from $70 to $45, while clothing experienced a sharp drop from $30 to $20.
In total, monthly expenditure rose from $675 in 1991 to $715 in 2001, showing that Australian families spent more overall, but with noticeable shifts in priorities towards essential utilities and housing, while less money was allocated to non-essential items like clothing and transport.