Australia household spending falls 1.1% in April, after March jump

SYDNEY - Australian household spending fell back sharply in April after a petrol-induced spike the previous month, data showed on Thursday, as consumers scaled back on flights and unwound some hoarding of food.

Data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics showed its monthly household spending indicator (MHSI) fell 1.1% in April to A$79.42 billion ($56.59 billion). Analysts had generally looked for a dip of 0.4%, following a 1.6% jump in March.

Air transport was the largest contributor to the decline, as households scaled back travel and airlines cancelled routes, the ABS said.

($1 = 1.4035 Australian dollars)

(Reporting by Wayne Cole; Editing by Sonali Paul)

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This story was originally published May 27, 2026 at 9:50 PM.