For the purposes of this report, the hypothetical household is a couple with children, the most common type of household in Australia according to the 2016 census. In each city, the hypothetical household is assumed to live in middle to outer ring suburbs with relatively high population density. Locations with over 10,000 people and relatively dense populations are chosen for regional centres. The couple consists of a 38-year-old woman and a 36-year-old man, which are the average ages for men and women in Australia. They live in a detached house and have two cars. Both are employed. More information
Transport category costs
In the 2023-24 financial year, transport costs rose at a higher rate than general inflation, putting household budgets across Australia under stress. Over the 12 months to 30 June 2024, transport costs for the typical Australian household rose by 10.5 per cent.
In the March 2024 quarter, the typical Australian household’s transport costs rose by 4.5 per cent (3.9 per cent for the typical capital city household and 5.3 per cent for the typical regional household).
In the December 2023 quarter, the typical Australian household’s transport costs rose by 0.7 per cent.
