• Summary
• Downloads
• Explanatory Notes
• Related Information
• Past Releases

CHANGES IN SPENDING PATTERNS

Between 1998-99 and 2003-04, total household expenditure on culture increased from $26.74 to $36.40 per week. Part of this increase can be attributed to inflation. During the 5 years between the surveys, the prices of goods and services, as measured by the Consumer Price Index, rose by 18%.

3.3 AVERAGE WEEKLY HOUSEHOLD EXPENDITURE AT CURRENT PRICES(a) - 1984 to 2003-04
	1984	1988-89	1993-94	1998-99	2003-04
	$/week	$/week	$/week	$/week	$/week
Literature	4.16	5.82	7.54	7.56	8.43
Music	0.68	1.21	1.29	2.07	1.65
Performing arts(b)	0.81	0.92	1.92	1.48	1.59
Visual arts and crafts(c)	0.42	0.58	0.72	1.09	1.66
Broadcasting, electronic media and film(d)	1.28	2.01	3.13	4.13	7.87
Other arts(e)	0.95	1.22	1.41	1.28	1.86
Heritage	0.09	0.13	0.25	0.17	0.39
Other culture(f)(g)	6.94	7.94	9.13	8.90	12.94
Total(c)(e)	15.33	19.83	25.39	26.74	36.40
(a) Not adjusted for inflation.
(b) Comprises live theatre fees and charges and music concert fees and charges.
(c) Excludes art and craft materials which were allocated to a category that was not predominantly cultural prior to 1998-99.
(d) Excludes the hire of TV games for surveys prior to 1998-99.
(e) For 1998-99, includes cultural fees and charges n.e.c. which were included in other cultural categories in previous surveys.
(f) Includes the hire of TV games for surveys prior to 1998-99.
(g) For 1998-99 and 2003-04, includes other audiovisual equipment and parts which were included in other cultural categories in previous surveys.
Source: ABS, Household Expenditure Survey, Australia: Detailed expenditure items, 2003-04 (cat. no. 6535.0.55.001).