The Ultimate Guide to Saving on Groceries in Australia (2026 Edition)

1. Start With Price Comparison — The #1 Way Australians Save

Most shoppers stick to one supermarket—either out of habit or convenience.
But this leads to overspending because:

• Prices vary dramatically across Coles, Woolworths, ALDI, and IGA
• Specials change weekly
• Some stores have loyalty offers, others don’t
• Certain supermarkets excel in specific categories (e.g., ALDI for pantry, Woolies for fruits)

This is why price comparison is the most powerful way to save money.

 With a tool like Save On Groceries (SOG), you can instantly compare prices across supermarkets and see which store offers the cheapest total.
It’s simple, fast, and can easily reduce your weekly bill by 15–30%.

2. Understand Price Cycles to Catch Best Deals

Australian supermarkets follow predictable discount cycles.
Knowing these gives you a major advantage.

Common Weekly Special Patterns

Tracking these trends lets you stock up when prices are at their lowest.

Pro Tip:
Always buy non-perishables only when they’re discounted.
This alone can save $800–$1,200 per year.

3. Buy Seasonal, Local, and Australian-Grown Produce

Seasonal produce is:

✔ Cheaper
✔ Fresher
✔ Higher quality
✔ Better for the environment

Seasonal Guide (Australia)

Summer: Mangoes, watermelon, peaches, tomatoes
Autumn: Grapes, pears, sweet potatoes, mushrooms
Winter: Apples, oranges, pumpkins, kale
Spring: Avocados, cucumbers, strawberries, spinach

Buying seasonal fruits and vegetables can cut your produce costs by up to 40%.

Avoid imported items when possible—they’re often 2–3× more expensive.

4. Avoid Convenience Items (Big Budget Killer)

Convenience foods look tempting but come with a huge price markup:

• Pre-cut fruits → +60% more expensive
• Salad bags → +70% more expensive
• Shredded cheese → +50% more
• Ready meals → Up to +200% more

For a family of four, avoiding convenience items can save $30–$50 per week.

5. ALDI vs Woolworths vs Coles — What’s Actually Cheaper?

According to CHOICE, ALDI remains the cheapest supermarket for most pantry items.
However:

• Coles & Woolworths often win on weekly specials
• ALDI wins on everyday low pricing
• Woolworths often wins on fresh produce quality
• IGA wins in rural convenience
• Costco wins for bulk buying

Best approach:
Use SOG to see which supermarket gives the cheapest total for YOUR list.

6. Use Unit Pricing to Avoid Marketing Tricks

Unit pricing (price per 100g/kg/L) shows the true cost of a product.

Example:

• 500 g cereal box → $4 ($0.80 per 100 g)
• 800 g cereal box → $5.50 ($0.69 per 100 g)

Even though the second box is more expensive, it’s cheaper per unit.

Always compare unit prices, not packaging.

7. Meal Planning — The Most Overlooked Money-Saver

Meal planning reduces wastage, impulse buys, and meal confusion.

How to meal plan effectively:

1. Check what's already in your fridge
2. Browse weekly specials
3. Use SOG to compare prices
4. Plan 4–5 meals around discounted items
5. Buy only what you need

Meal planning alone can cut grocery bills by 30–40%.

8. Bulk Buying (But Only When Smart)

Bulk buying is only effective if:

✔ You use the item regularly
✔ It has a long shelf life
✔ You have storage space
✔ It’s significantly cheaper per unit

Best items for bulk buying in Australia:

• Rice
• Pasta
• Toilet paper
• Cleaning products
• Frozen vegetables
• Tinned tomatoes
• Oils

Avoid bulk-buying perishables unless they are freezer-friendly.

9. Use Cashback and Rewards Programs Wisely

Australia has amazing cashback and loyalty programs:

Rewards Programs:

• Woolworths Everyday Rewards
• Coles Flybuys
• ALDI mobile discounts

Cashback Apps:

• Shopback
• Cashrewards

Tips:

• Activate offers before shopping
• Combine cashback with specials
• Redeem points strategically

Stacking rewards + specials + price comparison = maximum savings.

10. Reduce Food Waste (Huge Cost Saver)

Food waste costs Australians up to $2,500 per household annually.

Ways to reduce waste:

• Store food properly
• Use leftovers creatively
• Freeze items before expiry
• Learn proper portion planning
• Buy fruit at different ripeness levels

Less waste → fewer trips → more savings.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What is the cheapest supermarket in Australia?

ALDI is usually the cheapest for pantry staples, but Coles/Woolworths often wins on specials.

2. How much can I save using Save On Groceries?

Most users save between $20–$80 per week, depending on their list.

3. Is online grocery shopping cheaper?

Online prices are often identical, but:

• Delivery fees may increase costs
• But impulse purchases decrease

So, savings depend on your buying habits.

4. Why do Australian groceries feel expensive?

Reasons include limited supermarket competition, transportation costs, inflation, and supply chain challenges.

5. How often should I compare grocery prices?

Ideally, once a week, when specials are updated.

Summary

You don’t have to sacrifice quality or variety to save money.
With the right combination of:

✔ Price comparison
✔ Seasonal buying
✔ Meal planning
✔ Smart budgeting
✔ Rewards stacking

You can significantly reduce your weekly grocery bill.

Tools like Save On Groceries (SOG) make it easy for every Australian to stretch their budget without spending hours researching.