More than half of Australians (56%) plan to splash cash in End of Financial Year (EOFY) sales, with consumers set to fork out $593 on average according to Compare the Market data.
Topping the shopping list was fashionwear (34%), followed by a new smartphone (21%), and kitchenware (19%).
More than one-in-five Australians (23%) said they would likely spend more than they did in EOFY sales last year.
The research comes as the Reserve Bank put the cash rate on hold at 4.35% after raising it three consecutive times this year to curb inflation.
| Average likely spend | |
| National | $593 |
| QLD | $546 |
| NSW | $592 |
| VIC | $613 |
| SA | $520 |
Source: Compare the Market
Compare the Market’s Economic Director David Koch said the research was a sign that consumers were shopping around for better deals amid cost-of-living pressures.
“Aussies look set to spend big this end of financial year,” Mr Koch said.
“Whether it is to stock up on presents ahead of time or a pat-on-the-back reward for yourself, it is a good sign that consumers are shopping around for good deals.
“We know Aussies have been doing it tough and many have been holding out for sales on the little luxuries they’ve otherwise delayed or put on hold. But the extra spending this tax time could ring alarm bells for the Reserve Bank, which is still trying to get a foothold on controlling inflation by discouraging spending.
“Of course, there are other uncontrollable factors driving up inflation, such as the recent Middle East conflict that has sent a shock to the global oil market.
“My great fear is that further blows to Australian households are going to spark a big increase in unemployment.”
Mr Koch added that it is also a good time to look for better deals on ordinary household bills.
“We often forget that supermarkets, energy retailers and insurance providers also offer deals that could help your hip pocket at this time of year,” Mr Koch said.
“Take health insurance for example. Many Aussies take out a policy around tax time to avoid the Medicare Levy Surcharge, which is an additional tax for those earning above a set threshold who don’t hold hospital cover. Health insurers know this and offer some great perks and deals to incentivise new customers, so use this to your advantage.
“We also know default electricity offers are changing from 1 July, so we’ll see some energy retailers trying to lure in new customers with various incentives.
“Apply the same EOFY shopping mindset to your other household bills, and you could prevent spending more money than you need to throughout the year.”
EOFY health insurance deals
- NIB –10 weeks free on eligible Combined Hospital & Extras Cover
- AIA – Get up to 10 weeks free on eligible Combined policies
- See-u by HBF – Up to 6 weeks free and 2- & 6-month Extras waits waived on eligible Combined Hospital & Extras Cover
For the full list of deals, please visit: https://www.comparethemarket.com.au/health-insurance/offers/
Top 10 EOFY shopping products
| Product | Proportion of responses (%) |
| Fashionwear (eg: clothing, shoes, sunglasses, etc.) | 34% |
| Smartphone | 21% |
| Kitchenware | 19% |
| Beauty products | 17% |
| Home electronics (eg: vacuum, washing machine, etc.) | 17% |
| Home furniture | 17% |
| Smartwatch | 12% |
| Television | 12% |
| Toys | 12% |
| Tablet | 12% |
Compare the Market’s EOFY shopping tips
Shop smart, not fast – EOFY sales are everywhere – but not every “deal” is a good one. Don’t jump at the first discount you see. Some discounts could come later closer to June 30. Prices can vary between retailers, so compare online, skim catalogues and take a second to make sure you’re actually getting a bargain – not just clever marketing.
Don’t let delivery eat your savings – Scored a great EOFY deal? Don’t undo it at checkout. Sneaky shipping fees can wipe out your discount in seconds, especially if there’s a minimum spend for free delivery. If you can, opt for Click & Collect, swing by the store, or time your purchase when delivery promos are running.
Tap into hidden perks before you spend – EOFY is the perfect time to stack your savings. Check if your insurer, energy provider or bank offers access to rewards stores or discount portals. You could unlock extra savings on big brands without lifting a finger – it’s worth a quick look before you hit ‘buy’.
Make your loyalty work harder – Dust off those loyalty accounts – EOFY is when they really pay off. Boost offers, scan your card and keep an eye on your inbox (and yes, even your spam folder). Retailers often drop exclusive codes and early sale access this time of year, so a quick check could mean extra cash in your pocket.
When referencing this research, please attribute: https://www.comparethemarket.com.au/
Disclaimers
Compare the Market commissioned Pureprofile to survey a nationally representative sample of 1,019 Australians in June 2026.
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For more information, please contact:
Henry Man | [email protected] | +61 474 368 908
About comparethemarket.com.au
Compare the Market is a comparison service that takes the hard work out of shopping around. We make it Simples for Australians to quickly and easily compare and buy insurance, energy, and home loans products from a range of providers. Our easy-to-use comparison tool helps you look for a range of products that may suit your needs and benefit your back pocket.
