National ABS Survey Includes Charitable Giving
7 January 2016 at 11:23 am
The Australian Bureau of Statistics has begun collecting data on the country’s charitable giving behaviour, as part of the latest Household Expenditure Survey.
The ABS survey, which only takes place every six years, includes questions about donations to charity, as well as spending on household expenditure on food and cultural activities.
The last national Household Expenditure Survey, held in 2010, revealed that Australian households donated $7.23 per week on average to charities, churches, synagogues and other organisations. The ABS data is based on expenditure described as cash donations.
Interviewers from the ABS have begun visiting households across Australia, and since June 2015 they have surveyed over 9,000 households. With surveys continuing to be conducted through to June 2016, interviewers have reached the halfway mark.
"Our goal is to interview nearly 19,000 households to get a complete picture of household income and expenditure over 2015-16. It’s our new year’s resolution to hit this target," General Manager of Population and Social Statistics at the ABS, Dr Paul Jelfs, said.
While there were many interesting facts from the survey about how Australians spend their money, Dr Jelfs said the survey information was used to help understand the economic wellbeing of individuals and households in Australia.
“The results are essential for ensuring that Australia’s official measure of inflation, the Consumer Price Index, reflects the latest expenditure patterns of Australians,” he said.
"These surveys assist in pinpointing groups of people most in need of assistance. It helps government assess tax and welfare policy impacts and plan future services in areas such as health, housing, child care, disability, transport and education.”
The 2010 survey also revealed that Australian households spent an average of $15 a week on fruit and nuts and $3 per week on ice cream, ice blocks or frozen yoghurt. They also spent, on average, $7 a week on cultural activities, such as movie and concert tickets, zoos, galleries and museums.
