Bulletin – December 2011 Insights from the Household Expenditure Survey Abstract
This article uses information from the latest Household Expenditure Survey to examine recent expenditure patterns. The period between 2003/04 and 2009/10 was characterised by strong real household income growth and falling relative prices of goods due to the appreciating exchange rate. These developments have provided extra resources to households for spending on discretionary services, which are taking a larger share of household spending over time. There was also an increase in expenditure on housing, which was associated with rising dwelling prices and higher levels of debt.