Millennial Driver Highlights Australia’s Cost-of-Living Paradox
Mackenzie Mathews, a 21-year-old DoorDash driver from Brisbane, has recently drawn attention to a stark contradiction in Australia’s cost-of-living narrative. Despite soaring expenses for necessities like rent, groceries, and utilities, many Australians are still indulging in the luxuries of food delivery.
Having dedicated three months to her role as a food delivery driver while also running her own social media marketing business, Mathews shared her observations with Yahoo Finance. She frequently delivers orders that are only a two-minute drive from the restaurant. “A lot of the time it’s about two minutes that I’m driving from the restaurant to the person’s house,” she remarked, underlining a growing phenomenon amid rising living costs.
She pointed out that while delivery fees often seem low—around $2 per order—most menu items are marked up, resulting in overall higher costs for consumers. Many have even begun to question whether the ability to afford such short deliveries indicates a genuine cost-of-living crisis.
Mortgage broker Jess Phillips previously raised similar concerns, noting that some clients spend upwards of $500 monthly on takeaway food, prompting a dialogue about the spending habits of Australians. Mathews stated, “I understand things have skyrocketed… but people are spending on luxuries.” Although she acknowledges the myriad reasons for opting for food delivery, she believes it’s an opportunity to reflect on personal spending habits, which she herself struggled with in the past.
In her experience, Mathews found herself caught in a cycle of overspending, where her fortnightly bill for Afterpay and food delivery reached an astonishing $2,000. “Part of having a 9 to 5 is you’re going to be exhausted when you come home. I wasn’t wanting to cook,” she explains. It wasn’t until she left her full-time job to focus on her business that she began to adopt frugal habits, including meal planning.
A study by Finder revealed that as of May, 61% of Australians were still spending on food delivery or takeout each week, albeit down from 68% three years prior. Interestingly, the average expenditure had climbed to $91 weekly—up from $65—translating to an annual cost of approximately $4,732.
Sarah Megginson, a personal finance expert from Finder, highlighted that despite the high cost of living, many continue to indulge in food delivery services. For some, the convenience outweighs the price tag, particularly in dual-income households where time is scarce.
“Cooking from scratch every night can feel like an impossible task,” she added, which reflects the struggles of many busy Australians. The Commonwealth Bank has also reported a noticeable 6% increase in food delivery spending among its 7 million customers over the past year.
However, Megginson cautioned that while food delivery is convenient, it can easily come at a premium. On average, food ordered through delivery apps costs around 30% more than direct purchases.
Mathews received a wave of interactions on her social media post, as viewers shared their own reasons for using delivery services—ranging from single parenting and disabilities to sheer convenience. Some candidly admitted their laziness, while others pointed to the challenges that prevent them from shopping in person.
To better manage food delivery spending, Megginson suggested limiting orders to once a week or a few times per month. “By making it less common, it feels more like a special treat and helps manage your overall food spending,” she advised.
Further recommendations included exploring promotions, discounts, and meal bundles available through restaurant apps or loyalty programs. “Making your occasional takeaway more budget-friendly, rather than cutting down altogether, is often more practical,” she concluded.
In a time marked by financial strain, Mathews and Megginson’s insights shed light on the consumer habits shaping Australia’s food delivery landscape amidst the rising cost of living.
