Aussies to spend $2.7 billion as students head Back to School

As students gear up to return to their classrooms, Australia’s Back to School (BTS) purchases are projected to generate around $2.7 billion in sales. The projected spend is up $150 million (5.9%) over last year’s BTS spending, driven by population growth and inflation.

Research by the Australian Retailers Association (ARA), in partnership with Roy Morgan, reveals 5.1 million (24% of Australians aged 18+) will spend an average of $525 each on BTS related merchandise. This is up from an average of $512 in 2024. 

Of those surveyed, 44% of Australians making BTS purchases said they would be spending more than last year, while 23% said they would spend the same and 33% said they would be spending less.

The key findings of the ARA-Roy Morgan Research include:

• Of those participating in the sales, 59% are making purchases for primary school, 50% for high school, and 9% for university or TAFE. Around 4% of purchases are for Post-Graduate (Participants could select multiple options).

• The 35–49-year-old age bracket are set to make up the lion’s share of BTS spending, spending an average of $600 each and making up $1.75 billion of the $2.7 billion overall spend.

• Around 15% of those participating in the sales plan to spend more than $1,000, while 9% plan on spending less than $100.

• The most popular purchases will be stationary (mentioned by 55% of respondents), school uniforms (53%), footwear (50%), books (40%) and lunchboxes or water bottles (27%). Other purchases included: school bags, computer or tech equipment, sports gear and home equipment such as desks and chairs.

• Women remain the main household decision maker on BTS purchases with 74% of purchases, followed by men at 14%, guardians at 6% and students themselves at 2%.

• Most (65%) will purchase in-store, with 33% making purchases online and 37% making purchases directly through the school or school suppliers. WA (46%) and SA (40%) had the highest number of respondents planning to purchase This contrasts with NSW where 76% of purchasers intend to buy items in-store.

ARA Chief Industry Affairs Officer Fleur Brown said the projected BTS purchases would provide retailers with a welcome cashflow boost as many Australians return from their holidays and prepare their kids for the school year.

Many schools provide exemptions and financial support for those experiencing financial hardship – while some State Governments have their own programs to assist.

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About the Australian Retailers Association (ARA)

The Australian Retailers Association (ARA) is the oldest, largest and most diverse national retail body, representing a $430 billion sector that employs 1.3 million Australians and is the largest private sector employer in the country. As Australia’s peak retail body, representing more than 120,000 retail shop fronts and online stores, the ARA informs, advocates, educates, protects and unifies our independent, national and international retail community. To learn more about ARA’s exclusive member benefits and more, visit retail.org.au

About Roy Morgan

Roy Morgan is Australia’s largest independent Australian research company, with offices in each state, as well as in the U.S. and U.K. A full-service research organisation, Roy Morgan has over 80 years’ experience collecting objective, independent information on consumers.