Many of us are happy to fork out a little extra for convenience, especially if it means staying in the comfort of our jammies ‘just this once’. We all deserve to treat ourselves to a lazy night in, but how much is that cheeky takeaway costing us in the long run?
To find out, we calculated the average cost of restaurant meal delivery services in Australia. We break down average spend by location, age group, household income and by food delivery app.
Average food delivery spend in Australia
Australians spend an average of $60 on food delivery services per week, according to Canstar Blue’s latest survey of restaurant meal delivery service users, almost doubling last year’s results of $32 per week! $60 a week equals to $240 per month, or $3,120 per year! For perspective, the average monthly spend on groceries ($608) in Australia.
Average food delivery spend by app/service
This table shows the average weekly food delivery cost by app/service, based on a Canstar Blue survey of more than 1,200 consumers.
| Restaurant meal delivery service | Average food delivery spend |
|---|---|
| Menulog | $53 |
| Uber Eats | $59 |
| DoorDash | $60 |
Source: Canstar Blue research, May 2023.
What is the cheapest food delivery service?
Aussies who use Menulog spend the least on takeaway food, with our research revealing those using the platform spend on average $53 a week on meal deliveries, although the other brands aren’t too far behind.
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Average food delivery spend by state
This table shows the average weekly food delivery spend across Australian states and territories, based on a Canstar Blue survey of more than 1,200 consumers.
|
State |
Average weekly food delivery spend |
|---|---|
|
Queensland |
$51 |
|
Western Australia |
$52 |
|
South Australia |
$56 |
|
Victoria |
$59 |
|
New South Wales |
$72 |
Source: Canstar Blue research, May 2023.
Canstar Blue’s recent survey found almost half of Aussies (48%) have tried more than one restaurant meal delivery service, with a quarter (25%) expecting to order more takeaway in the future. This is despite a similar portion of respondents (32%) stating they’ve spent more than intended on takeaway food and food delivery services.
Average food delivery spend by age group
Our research found that the average weekly spend on food deliveries didn’t differ too much between age brackets, although those aged between 50-59 were spending the least. Here’s an overview of the weekly restaurant meal delivery costs by age, based on a Canstar Blue survey of more than 1,200 consumers.
| Age group | Average weekly food delivery spend |
|---|---|
| 18 to 29 years | $57 |
| 30 to 39 years | $68 |
| 40 to 49 years | $61 |
| 50 to 59 years | $47 |
| 60 to $69 years | $59 |
Source: Canstar Blue research, May 2023.
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Average food delivery spend by household income
Naturally, higher-income households spend more on restaurant meal deliveries than lower-income earners. Here is a breakdown of what households on various incomes spend on food deliveries per week, based on a Canstar Blue survey of more than 1,200 consumers.
| Household income | Average weekly food delivery cost |
|---|---|
| Less than $30,000 | $48 |
| $30,000 to $49,999 | $55 |
| $50,000 to $79,000 | $58 |
| $80,000 to $119,000 | $53 |
| More than $120,000 | $69 |
Source: Canstar Blue research, May 2023.
What costs should you look out for when ordering takeaway food?
The delivery fee isn’t the only thing to consider when ordering takeaway food. These are a few other factors to think about before handing over your credit card.
- Minimum spending: Craving a soft-serve ice cream? To make the trip worth it for the driver and restaurant, many food delivery services have a minimum spend on orders, even with promotional offers applied.
- Platform: Different food delivery apps may charge different fees (i.e. service fee, delivery fee, weekend surcharge, etc.) depending on the day and time you order, which food joint you order from, and so on. That’s where comparing platforms can save you money!
- Website/app vs in-house delivery: Sometimes ordering directly from your favourite takeaway chain or restaurant (although these typically have a minimum spend) is cheaper than using a delivery service, so if you’re looking to satisfy those cravings on a budget, looking for a direct delivery from the brand itself might be the middle-ground you’re after.
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