A significant share of Australians are losing up to $600 annually on unused or forgotten subscriptions, according to new findings from Westpac. The bank’s latest consumer research reveals how overlooked digital services, automatic renewals, and convenience-based habits are silently draining household budgets.
In a report published by Yahoo News Australia, the data shows a consistent gap between what consumers believe they are spending and the actual amounts withdrawn from their accounts. Westpac highlights that these recurring charges often go unnoticed due to their relatively low monthly cost, but they can accumulate over time without offering any corresponding value or utility to the user.
Three in Ten Aussies Overspend on Digital Subscriptions
The Westpac study shows that three in ten Australians admit to losing as much as $600 per year on duplicate or forgotten services, particularly due to subscriptions they no longer use.
The average monthly spend on subscriptions has risen to $141 annually, representing an 11 percent increase over the previous year. However, many users underestimate their actual spending.
When we compared total estimated spend against customer transaction data, we could see customers are spending about $14 more each month than they think they are on subscriptions – said Carolyn McCann, Westpac’s acting chief executive of consumer.
While subscription costs might not seem like much in isolation, they can quickly add up – especially if these are apps or services you no longer use. This is hundreds or even thousands in potential savings that could be redirected elsewhere.
Top Reasons for Overspending Include Auto-Renewals and Forgotten Accounts
The research identifies three primary reasons Australians are unknowingly overspending:
- 38% forget to cancel a trial before it auto-renews
- 32% continue paying for subscriptions they’ve forgotten about
- 31% find it difficult to cancel unwanted services
These recurring charges tend to remain unnoticed, especially when tied to small monthly fees.
Entertainment and Gaming Drive the Bulk of Subscription Costs
The most widely used subscriptions are video streaming platforms like Netflix, Disney+, and Stan. These are followed by music services (Spotify, Apple Music) and wellness or fitness apps.
Average monthly costs include:
- $21.63 for video streaming
- $55.50 for gaming services
- $16.98 for music platforms
Such services, while considered affordable individually, contribute significantly to hidden monthly expenses when bundled together or duplicated across accounts.
Simple Strategies to Reduce Digital Subscription Costs
Mariam Gabaji, Finder tech and utilities expert and Yahoo Finance contributor, offers actionable strategies for households looking to cut back:
If you’re still paying for premium subscriptions, consider if they’re necessary. Moving to a standard tier could save you money – she said.
Or, better yet, share your account with other households and split the cost of the subscription plus sharing fee.
Another approach is to cycle through streaming platforms depending on the content you want to watch.
The goal is to only pay for the streaming services you’re actively watching right now – Gabaji added.
Takeaway Spending Also Adds Pressure to Household Budgets
Westpac’s analysis also found that convenience spending extends well beyond digital services. In June alone, the average customer spent $184.85 on takeaway food, which amounts to $2,200 annually.
Across the bank’s entire customer base, this represents a monthly spend of about $62 million on food services.
Our data suggests customers are willing to spend on what makes life easier, with a significant uplift in spend on food services – McCann said.
But there’s also growing awareness around value.
