The source defines discretionary foods as "foods and drinks not necessary to provide the nutrients the body needs, but that may add variety." this includes foods that may be high in saturated fats, sugars, salt and / or alcohol.
Data represents the apparent consumption of food based on the amount of food purchased from sales data. Actual consumption is not measured as the data does not account for food purchases from fast food outlets, cafes and restaurants, or foods not consumed due to waste or storage.
Daily per capita estimates are derived by dividing the annual total by 365 days and dividing by the Estimated Resident Population (ERP). Data representing the 2019–20 period uses the ERP for December 2020. No adjustments have been made to the ERP for food and non-alcoholic beverages that are typically consumed by selected age groups, for example baby food.
Australia's financial year runs from July 1 to June 30; for example, financial year 2017 starts on July 1, 2016 and ends on June 30, 2017.
Citation formats
Average daily discretionary serves per capita in Australia FY 2021, by food group
In the 2021 financial year, it was estimated that Australians consumed on average 1.42 serves of discretionary unsaturated spreads and oils per day. By comparison, Australians consumed around one tenth of a serve of fruit in discretionary foods daily.
Profit from the additional features of your individual account
Currently, you are using a shared account. To use individual functions (e.g., mark statistics as favourites, set
statistic alerts) please log in with your personal account.
If you are an admin, please authenticate by logging in again.
Learn more about how ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ can support your business.
Australian Bureau of Statistics. (March 30, 2022). Estimated average daily serves of discretionary foods per capita in Australia in financial year 2021, by food group [Graph]. In ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. Retrieved August 02, 2026, from /statistics/1140349/australia-discretionary-mean-daily-serves-per-capita-by-food-group/
Australian Bureau of Statistics. "Estimated average daily serves of discretionary foods per capita in Australia in financial year 2021, by food group ." Chart. March 30, 2022. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. Accessed August 02, 2026. /statistics/1140349/australia-discretionary-mean-daily-serves-per-capita-by-food-group/
Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2022). Estimated average daily serves of discretionary foods per capita in Australia in financial year 2021, by food group . ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Inc.. Accessed: August 02, 2026. /statistics/1140349/australia-discretionary-mean-daily-serves-per-capita-by-food-group/
Australian Bureau of Statistics. "Estimated Average Daily Serves of Discretionary Foods per Capita in Australia in Financial Year 2021, by Food Group ." ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ, ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Inc., 30 Mar 2022, /statistics/1140349/australia-discretionary-mean-daily-serves-per-capita-by-food-group/
Australian Bureau of Statistics, Estimated average daily serves of discretionary foods per capita in Australia in financial year 2021, by food group ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ, /statistics/1140349/australia-discretionary-mean-daily-serves-per-capita-by-food-group/ (last visited August 02, 2026)
Estimated average daily serves of discretionary foods per capita in Australia in financial year 2021, by food group [Graph], Australian Bureau of Statistics, March 30, 2022. [Online]. Available: /statistics/1140349/australia-discretionary-mean-daily-serves-per-capita-by-food-group/
