The weekly grocery bill is the household expense that one in five Australians worry about most, new data has revealed.
Compare the Market’s upcoming Household Budget Barometer report has laid bare the extent some Aussies are struggling with cost-of-living pressures, particularly when it comes to putting food on the table.
According to the findings, 52 per cent of Australians surveyed in August said they were searching harder for discounts, while nearly half – 47 per cent – were planning cheaper meals.
This is despite data that indicates weekly grocery spending is down six per cent across the nation to $186.23, compared to $198.16 in 2025.
More than a quarter of Australians – 26 per cent – said they were cutting back on meat purchases.
Twenty-eight per cent said they were buying in bulk to save money over the long term, while 29 per cent said they were shopping at cheaper supermarkets.
Almost half – 40 per cent – revealed they were working hard to reduce food waste to save money.
Even with these effective strategies, many Aussies opted for more radical cost-saving methods to stay afloat.
According to the report, 12 per cent of Australians said they were purposefully skipping meals to save money.
These numbers soared to 18 per cent among those aged 18-24 and 35-44.
Compare the Market’s executive general manager of communication, social and government relations, Chris Ford, said the cost-of-living crunch remained “very real” for many households.
“That’s one in 10 people you know going without lunch or dinner because costs are too high,” Mr Ford said, citing the number of Australians skipping meals to save money.
“When people start cutting back on necessities like food, it shows cost-of-living pressures remain very real for many families.”
Mr Ford said the findings showed Australians were also “becoming increasingly resourceful rather than seeking genuine relief at the checkout”.
“We’re seeing consumers put much more thought into how they spend their money and that often starts with the weekly grocery shop,” Mr Ford said.
“Rather than accepting higher prices, many Australians are actively looking for ways to reduce the cost of their shop, whether that’s buying products on special, choosing a home-brand alternative or changing what meals they’re cooking that week.
“The reality is grocery prices are still putting pressure on household budgets, but consumers are getting better at stretching every dollar and finding value where they can.”
A total of 3,078 Australian adults aged 18 and over were surveyed in the study.
Read related topics:Cost of Living