How much should you spend on groceries?
Find out how much you should spend on groceries based on your household size, income, and eating habits. Australian benchmarks included.
Spend 10-15% of your after-tax income on groceries. For a household earning $80,000 after tax, that's $154-231 per week. Below are benchmarks by household size and income to help you figure out if you're on track.
Your grocery budget by household size
These weekly ranges are based on Australian household spending patterns. The numbers assume home-cooked meals with occasional takeaway budgeted separately.
| Household | Tight budget | Comfortable | Flexible |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single person | $50-70 | $80-100 | $100-130 |
| Couple | $80-120 | $130-170 | $170-220 |
| Family of 3 | $120-160 | $170-220 | $220-280 |
| Family of 4 | $150-200 | $220-280 | $280-350 |
| Family of 5+ | $180-240 | $260-330 | $330-420 |
Your grocery budget by income
The golden rule: groceries should be 10-15% of your take-home pay. If you're above 20%, you're spending beyond your means on food.
| Income (after tax per week) | Recommended grocery spend | As % of income |
|---|---|---|
| Centrelink single ($650/fortnight) | $50-70 | 15-22% |
| Minimum wage ($900/week) | $90-120 | 10-13% |
| Median income ($1,300/week) | $130-190 | 10-15% |
| Above median ($2,000+/week) | $200-300 | 10-15% |
What counts as groceries
Yes: fresh produce, meat and seafood, dairy, pantry staples, bread, cleaning products, toiletries, pet food, frozen meals.
No: takeaway and restaurant meals, cafe coffee, alcohol and wine (budget these separately), vitamins and supplements.
Calculate your own spending
Don't know where you stand? Here's how to find out in five minutes:
- Open your bank app and go back three months.
- Add up all transactions at Coles, Woolworths, ALDI, Harris Farm, Costco, independent grocers, and any other supermarkets.
- Divide the total by 12. That's your weekly average.
- Compare it to your household size above.
If you're spending too much
Spending more than 20% of your income on groceries puts you in financial stress territory. Three moves that make the biggest difference:
Switch to ALDI. The average Australian household saves $30-50 per week by switching from Coles or Woolworths to ALDI. Own-brand products are identical quality, no frills, much cheaper.
Reduce food waste. Plan three to four meals at the start of the week, buy only what you need, and check what you already have before shopping. Food waste is money wasted.
Buy own-brand. Coles Home Brand and Woolworths homebrand products are made in the same factories as the expensive stuff. You pay 30-40% less for the same thing.
Where Australia's grocery spending stands
The Australian Bureau of Statistics tracks household spending. In 2023-24, the average Australian household spent $237 per week on food and non-alcoholic beverages. That's likely higher in 2026 due to inflation. The ABS data is the benchmark: if you're under $237/week for a household of four, you're doing better than average.
Stop overpaying for groceries
Knowing you should spend $150-200/week on groceries is one thing. Actually hitting that target while eating well is another. Track prices at your local shops, compare Coles versus ALDI, and see where your money actually goes.
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