How Much Does Food Cost in Australia? [2023]

Australia is among the countries hit hard by inflation, so the country’s cost of living has risen. Whether you live or plan to move to Australia, you should know about the <food cost in Australia> and whether they are expensive.

On average, a person living in Australia spends $166 – $232 weekly on groceries and food. The cost of food in Australia is cheaper or more expensive, depending on your preferences. Compared to other places, food here is costly. Vegetable prices can go up to $6.65 per kg, which is very high for countries.

 Australia’s food prices are pretty high than most countries. Food prices should help you indicate the cost of living when visiting any country. Ride along as we dive deeper into the food prices in Australia.

Read more about cost of living in Australia.

Food prices in Australia in 2023: what to expect?

Australian Bureau of Statistics, reports an increase in food prices mainly caused by inflation. Prices of food rose by 4.3% in the first quarter of 2022.

From September 2021 to September 2022, fruit and vegetable prices increased by 16.2% and dairy products by 12.1%.

Here is the breakdown of how food prices in Australia have changed from 2021 to the end of 2022:

Food	September 2021 vs September 2022
Bread and cereal	10%
Meat and seafoods	7,3%
Dairy	12,1%
Fruit and vegetables	16,2%

That fact makes Australia an even more expensive place to live in. Low food prices have not been an Australian trend for the longest time. The country holds the 9th place in the world for the highest food index.

That said, Australia is a food-producing country, making it an exporter to other countries. This also has increased Australian food prices over the years because of its status as a major food exporter to Asian countries. 

The Average Cost of Living in Australia for a Family

How much do people spend on food in Australia?

Generally, monthly expenses on food and groceries depend on your family’s eating habits and size. Urban and city centers are more costly than less populated areas. 

An average Australian consumes $608 per month. A family of two in Australia averages $395 monthly. A family of four uses around $203 weekly. A couple with children aged 5 – 14 spends an average of $336 per week. 

Here is the average weekly spending on groceries for each family size:

• One-person household – $102
• Two-person household – $146
• Three-person household – $169
• Four-person household – $181
• Five or more person household – $215

The prices vary by state, like New South Wales and Canberra, which have Australia’s most expensive food prices. Yocket estimates that international students in Australia use $140 – $281 on food and groceries. 

• Bread prices average $4.95 in Northern Territory and $7.67 in Canberra
• Meat costs $24 in Tasmania and $31.01 in Northern Territory
• Australian dairy products range from $14.16 in New South Wales and $16.63 in Northern Territory

Eggs cost $1.66 in Tasmania and $2.33 in Western Australia, while fruits could cost up to $13.50 in New South Wales.

According to insurance company Budget Direct, vegetables and condiments could cost you from $14.28 to $18.96 and $22.89 to $27.27, respectively. 

According to the source, the average weekly spending in New South Wales is $275.41 and $257.16 in Victoria. Queensland households spend $239.53. 

Weekly household spending in Western Australia is $239.53, and in South Australia, $221.10. Canberrans spend $270.89 weekly, Tasmanians $223.01. Northern Territory houses consume $256.28 weekly.

Australian food prices are slightly higher than US prices. The global pricing index shows US food is 24.85% cheaper. Some countries have lower rates due to industry rules. However, consumer products regulation is rare in Australia.

Here is a table showing price differences for several foods and grocery items in US dollars:

Item	Average price in Australia	Average price in the US
Milk 1 l	$1.17	$0.96
Bread 0.5 kg	$1.96	$2.79
Rice 1 kg	$1.86	$3.85
Bananas 1 kg	$2.5	$1.73
Apples 1 kg	$3.06	$4.48
Coke	$2.46	$2.08
Beer 0.5 L	$6.18	$5.32
Fast food meal	$9.06	$8.48
Dinner for 2 (restaurant)	$56.4	$61.4

The cost of eating out in Australia differs for all states and the amount of food and drinks you’d wish to consume.

For example, a full breakfast of juice, food, or coffee in Sydney could cost you $20. There is also a range of restaurants that offer different pricing.

Main meals in a mid-range restaurant are about $25 – $35. Going to upper mid-range restaurants raises the average to $45. A dinner for two could cost you $40 – $50 or more.

Supermarket prices in Australia

Supermarket prices vary depending on how much it costs a specific supermarket to get its goods from a distributor, supply and demand, and location. Supermarkets charge different prices for similar items. 

The Australian supermarket world has two main dominators, Woolworths and Coles. Other notable supermarkets in the area include Aldi and Foodworks. Woolworths and Coles have over 60% of the Australian grocery market share.

Although all these stores are competing for the market, grocery prices range around the same price in all stores.

In November 2022, according to Woolworths online store, the food and grocery prices were as follows:

Item	Price
Mini-Roma tomatoes	$12 per kg
Washed white potatoes	$0.81 each
Spring onion	$2.80 for a bunch
Green zucchini	$1.58 each
Woolworths baby leaf spinach(120 g)	$3.00
Shallot French onion	$0.70 each
Cucumber	$0.80 each
Capsicum	$2.73 each
Schweppes tonic water four pack	$5.00
Classic Coca-cola 1.25l	$1.77
Pepsi Max 2l	$3.00
Woolworths beef sausages (8 pieces)	$7.00
Woolworths beef rump steak(300g)	$12.00
Soy milk	$4.50 per liter

In a recent article by The Sydney Morning Herald, they stated that Australian residents have started to reduce their supermarket spending. Furthermore, the piece indicated that many households reduced supermarket spending by 29% in September 2022. 

Here is Canstar Blue’s research on the weekly grocery bill in Australian supermarkets:

Supermarket	Average weekly bill
ALDI	$157
Coles	$154
Woolworths	$151
IGA	$140

Restaurant prices in Australia

Australians spend an average of $230 monthly on restaurant dining and fast food. Here are some examples of typical prices for eating out:

• Pizza: $7
• Dinner for two: $90
• Meat pie: $5
• Lunch menu: $15
• Coffee: $5
• Drink at the bar: $14
• Glass of wine: $7
• Bottle of water: $4,41
• Tea: $4

Some sources predict that coffee prices will rise to $7 per cup by the end of 2022.

Australian restaurants have varying prices for different cuisines. For example, in Asian restaurants, food averages $37; in Chinese restaurants, food costs average $35. Other international cuisines cost the following:

• French – $42
• Italian – $41
• Japanese – $35
• Mexican – $37

McDonald’s, KFC, and Hungry Jack’s are some of Australia’s cheapest fast food chains. McDonald’s and Burger King charge $8.40 for a regular meal and $2.50 for a cheeseburger.

Ginger Beer, one of the best local drinks in Australia, costs $6-9 in most restaurants and pubs. Jagerbombs, a great cocktail, costs $16.57 in Melbourne. Archie Rose gin is a nice Australian alcohol, costing $46.28 for a bottle in Sydney. 

Bundaberg is a brewed non-alcoholic drink that costs $6.58 in Australia. 666 Vodka is an excellent local spirit with a small range of options costing $25.43 – $40.49 in Melbourne. Bundaberg Rum costs $24.32 per 700 ml bottle in Bundaberg. 

Having a night out in Australia for a few drinks isn’t very budget-friendly. Residents and tourists in Australia pay a lot for a good night out in bars and restaurants.

HomeToGo estimates that a night out in Sydney costs $54.52 and $52.12 in Melbourne. Adelaide, Brisbane, and Perth cost $42.78, $42.23, and $39.55, respectively. 

If you want just to have a few drinks at the bar, expect to spend about $25 for the evening.

How expensive food is in Australia depends on nutrition needs and region. You can save on food costs using the following tips:

• Have a shopping list to avoid spending on things you don’t need.
• Use reward programs offered by supermarkets like Woolworths’ Everyday Rewards card or Coles’ Flybuys.
• Go for supermarket brands, especially for non-perishable products like cereals.
• Bulk buying: buying in bulk helps you save a few bucks.
• Save food: you should store uneaten food in safe environments instead of throwing it away. 

The Average Cost of Living in Australia for a Family