NAB says Australia August consumer spending rises 1.1% as fuel costs jump 12%

• NAB consumer spend data showed total spending rose 1.1% in August 2026, up 8.7% year over year.
• Non-discretionary spending climbed 2.2%, led by a 12% surge in fuel, a 3.2% rise in utilities and telecoms.
• Ex-fuel spending increased 0.6% on the month, pointing to softer underlying demand than the headline gain.
• Discretionary spending growth slowed to 0.4% from 1.2% in July; goods softened with household goods flat, personal goods down 0.2%.
• Fuel spending rose 20.9% year over year; utilities and telecoms increased 14.1%, underscoring intensifying cost-of-living pressure on households.

Disclaimer: This news brief was created by Public Technologies (PUBT) using generative artificial intelligence. While PUBT strives to provide accurate and timely information, this AI-generated content is for informational purposes only and should not be interpreted as financial, investment, or legal advice. NAB - National Australia Bank Ltd. published the original content used to generate this news brief on September 15, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained therein.