Australians are expected to spend up to $6.12bn during the upcoming Easter, School Holidays and Anzac Day period, splurging mainly on food, travel and entertainment.
Research released this week by ANZ shows that the predicted spend is 3 per cent higher than 2024 figures over the same period, driven by an increase in pre-event spending as many prepared to make the most of the consecutive public holidays.
ANZ Managing Director Everyday Banking Yiken Yang says travel costs alone could reach $440 million as Australians look to maximise the time off.
“Categories including travel, eating out and food stores were the largest drivers of spend in 2024, with Victorians spending the most of any state at $1.64bn”, Yang says.
“We’re anticipating even greater figures across the country this year - a promising sign for local businesses as Australians prepare to wine and dine over the break.”
According to ANZ’s research, women spent less overall in 2024 than men throughout the Easter period, however, female spend was up 3.87 per cent compared to 2023 figures.
Women spent more on entertainment, travel services and digital goods, while men spent more on food stores, eating out, retail stores, and wineries and bottle shops in comparison to 2023.
In 2024, Gen X spent the most across the School Holiday, Easter and Anzac Day events, followed by Millennials and Baby Boomers.