The average household transport costs rose by 10.5% in the year to July 2024.
The figure is almost triple the inflation increase for the same period (3.8%), according to the country’s peak automobile body — the Australian Automobile Association (AAA).
Transport costs include public transport and car-related expenses like rego, loan repayments, license fees, insurance, and services.
AAA’s Managing Director Michael Bradley said the “cost-of-living pressures” were hurting Australians, “across the board.”
Weekly costs
The AAA’s latest Transport Affordability Index found households spent an average of $459 per week on transport over the June quarter, up nearly 1% on the previous quarter.
Melbourne recorded the highest increase. Hobart was the only city where transport costs decreased after public transport fares halved in June.
Transport costs were more expensive in the regions than in capital cities.
Alice Springs had the highest transport spend of any regional area, averaging $446.49 per week.
Cost breakdown
Capital City households spent an average of $211.87 weekly on car loan repayments.
Motorists spent an average of $100.01 on fuel each week.
Public transport commuters spent an average of $39.35.
$55.73 was spent paying tolls.
Here’s what the average household in each capital city spent on transport per week in April-June:
