In 2024, couples with children were the leading household type in Australia, reflecting traditional family lifestyles, though the trend towards smaller family units continued, with a birth rate below the global average. Over 2024-2029, the number of households is forecast to grow by 11.0%, driven by urbanisation and a shrinking average household size, with single person households expanding the fastest. Additionally, the high urbanisation rate and increasing broadband access highlight the need f

In 2024, Australia ranked 11th in terms of average gross income among developed countries, but per capita disposable income decreased by 0.6% in real terms, driven by economic slowdown and higher taxes. Labour productivity remained above the average, and the government's Stage 3 tax cuts and minimum wage increases are expected to boost income and alleviate cost-of-living challenges over 2024-2029.

Sales of consumer health have risen in current value terms in 2025, with vitamins and dietary supplements and sports nutrition being key growth drivers. Aggregate categories such as herbal/traditional products, allergy care and paediatric consumer health have performed similarly well. OTC consumer health has registered a strong performance in 2025 in current value terms, with cough, cold and allergy (hay fever) remedies registering the most dynamic growth. Weight management and wellbeing, howeve

Sales of analgesics have increased in current value terms in 2025, driven by Australia’s ageing population, the prevalence of chronic pain and growing education around the barriers to care experienced by women and the LGBTIQA+ community. Analgesics remains the largest category within over-the-counter (OTC) consumer health in Australia in 2025, with systemic analgesics representing most sales, with topical analgesics/anaesthetic contributing to the remaining sales. According to the Australian Bur

Sales of cough, cold and allergy (hay fever) remedies have seen solid growth in 2025 in current value terms. Cough, cold and allergy (hay fever) remedies is the second-largest category in over-the-counter (OTC) consumer health in Australia in 2025, with it seeing a robust performance as out-of-season growth extends the flu and allergy seasons in Australia. The flu season in Australia traditionally runs from May to September. However, health professionals are advising Australians to be on the loo

Sales of digestive remedies have seen steady growth in current value terms in 2025. This growth reflects the elevated consumer awareness of gut health and digestive comfort, a trend which is reflected across consumer health through increased spending on probiotic and fibre supplements and solutions targeting gastrointestinal health. Australian consumers are increasingly aware that gut health is vital for their overall wellbeing, as it plays an important role in digestion, immune function and oth

Sales of wound care have seen steady growth in current value terms in 2025. Wound care in Australia remains a mature category, with consumer habits now shaped more by lifestyle patterns. Coming out of the pandemic-era lockdowns, Australians have fully embraced active routines, with participation in sports, outdoor recreation and fitness at levels similar to the outset of the review period. This sustained physical engagement continues to drive steady demand for wound care products, particularly f

Sales of herbal/traditional products have seen strong growth in current value terms in 2025, with the dominant herbal/traditional dietary supplements category outpacing that of herbal/traditional remedies. Herbal/traditional dietary supplements are proving popular in 2025. For instance, ginseng, known for its ability to combat mental fatigue and support healthy stress responses, has seen particularly strong growth in 2025. Calming botanicals such as ashwagandha, chamomile, passionflower and lemo

Sales of NRT smoking cessation aids have seen moderate growth in current value terms in 2025, reflecting a sustained decline in smoking rates nationwide. The latest data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare’s National Drug Strategy Household Survey shows that daily smoking among Australians aged 14 and over had dropped to just 8% in 2023, a dramatic fall from 24% in 1991. Meanwhile, 65% of respondents in 2023 reported never having smoked, highlighting the long-term impact of publi

Sales of sports nutrition have seen strong growth in current value terms in 2025. With physical activity deeply embedded in the lifestyles of many Australians, protein remains a cornerstone for muscle repair and development. However, its appeal now extends beyond fitness circles, as more individuals turn to high-protein diets for overall health, satiety and weight management. Meeting daily protein needs through whole foods alone can be costly and impractical, prompting a surge in demand for conv

Sales of eye care have increased in 2025 in current value terms, driven by growth in both standard eye care and allergy eye care. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, Australians have reported a noticeable uptick in eye-related discomfort and vision concerns. Optometry Australia’s 2022 Vision Index reveals that a staggering 97% of participants had experienced at least one common eye issue, ranging from fatigue and blurred vision to general discomfort. Dry, irritated, or watery eyes affected 85% of r

Sales of dermatologicals have seen steady growth in current value terms in 2025, with the performance of select categories driving the growth trajectory. Core categories within dermatologicals include topical germicidals/antiseptics, which registered a robust performance over the review period, in addition to nappy (diaper) rash treatments, cold sore treatments, haemorrhoid treatments and antiparasitics/lice (head and body) treatments. Nevertheless, the most dynamic category in 2025 has been hai

Sales of sleep aids have increased in current value terms in 2025, despite year-on-year value growth rates slowing from their historical peak in 2023. The lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic continue to shape health trends in Australia, especially among 18-30-year-olds, who increasingly seek support for anxiety, poor sleep and disrupted routines. Economic pressures, such as rising inflation, interest rates and unstable employment, have led to rising rates of stress and anxiety, forcing ma

Sales of weight management and wellbeing have declined in current value terms in 2025, with sales of meal replacement and weight loss supplements struggling throughout the year. Together, these two categories dominate sales of weight management and wellbeing, although their category share has declined since the start of the review period. The most notable trend affecting the category has been the rapid rise of prescription-based weight loss drugs, which are altering patients’ physiologies, nutri

Sales of paediatric consumer health have seen solid growth in current value terms in 2025. Australian parents and caregivers are responding positively to both trusted and novel products that address the health concerns of their children. Paediatric vitamins and dietary supplements remains the largest category within paediatric consumer health, followed by nappy (diaper) rash treatments, paediatric analgesics and paediatric cough, cold and allergy remedies. Sales of paediatric consumer health pro

Sales of vitamins have increased in 2025 in current value terms, with both single vitamins and multivitamins registering strong growth. Despite economic pressures from rising inflation and a higher cost of living, Australians continue to prioritise vitamins as an essential part of their health and wellness routines. This consistent demand is especially evident within women’s health, where tailored nutritional support is gaining momentum. Recognising the distinct physiological needs of women, whe

Sales of dietary supplements have seen strong growth in current value terms in 2025, driven by growing consumer interest in health and wellbeing. Gut health has emerged as a key concern, shaped by Australian lifestyle and dietary habits and a deeper consumer understanding of the gut’s role in regulating mood, stress response and overall mental wellbeing. Mental health and emotional resilience have become pressing issues, particularly among younger Australians facing daily stress and anxiety. The

Total retail volumes of baby food packaging in Australia decreased by 1% in 2024, reaching 165 million units. This decline was driven by several key factors, including a shift towards home-made or fresh baby food alternatives over packaged products. This trend was influenced by increasing awareness of natural and organic diets among parents. Furthermore, rising inflation and cost-of-living pressures led many families to reduce their discretionary spending on premium or convenience baby food item

In 2024, total confectionery packaging in Australia experienced a 2% decline in retail volumes to 2.2 billion units. This reduction was attributed to both economic concerns and growing health consciousness among consumers, who became increasingly aware of the impacts of high sugar intake. Younger and urban consumers, in particular, began to reduce their consumption of sugary snacks and processed treats, leading to a noticeable drop in demand across several traditional confectionery categories an

In 2024, total dairy packaging retail volumes in Australia increased by 4% to 4.6 billion units. This growth was primarily driven by several interrelated factors. Firstly, Australia’s rising milk production provided a robust supply foundation, which supported packaging requirements for an expanding dairy industry. Secondly, consumer demand for a wide range of dairy products, particularly milk and yoghurt, continued to surge, thereby boosting packaging volumes across various categories. However,

Total processed fruit and vegetable packaging retail volumes increased by 4% in Australia in 2024, reaching 1.1 billion units. This growth was driven by evolving consumer lifestyles and a heightened focus on product quality and sustainability. Modern consumers, particularly those in urban areas, are increasingly seeking convenient packaging options that do not compromise on freshness or ethical values. As a result, demand for packaging that balances functionality with eco-consciousness has risen

In 2024, the Australian market witnessed 1% growth in total spreads packaging retail volumes, reaching 149 million units. The rise in sweet spreads packaging volumes was driven by the increasing use of such products beyond the traditional breakfast setting, as consumers incorporated them into snacks, baking, and savoury pairings, reflecting a shift towards more flexible eating habits. This broader application led to a preference for convenient packaging formats, including squeezable bottles, por

In 2024, total processed meat and seafood packaging retail volumes in Australia grew by 4% to 1.2 billion units, aligning with the strong performance of these food categories. This growth was driven by sustained consumer demand for protein-rich, convenient, and ready-to-eat options, prompting manufacturers to develop packaging solutions that enhanced shelf life and user convenience. Cost-of-living pressures and the search for affordability influenced packaging, leading to increased demand for sm

In 2024, total plant-based dairy packaging retail volumes in Australia increased by 8% to 164 million units. This growth was fuelled by a significant rise in health-conscious consumers and the burgeoning vegan movement, especially among younger demographics. This shift in dietary preferences reflected a deeper lifestyle transformation, influenced by personal health goals, environmental awareness, and ethical considerations. As a result, demand for plant-based dairy alternatives, particularly pla