How much do Australians spend on subscriptions?

Many Australian households juggle several streaming services plus music, apps, news, cloud storage and a gym membership. Once you add them up it commonly comes to $80–$150 a month, or well over $1,000 a year. Because each one is billed in small monthly amounts, the total is easy to underestimate until you tally it in one place.

What could my subscription money grow to if I invested it instead?

Investing the same monthly amount can compound meaningfully over time. For example, $100 a month invested at an 8% annual return grows to roughly $18,000 after 10 years, of which about $6,000 is investment growth on top of what you put in. Returns aren't guaranteed and this ignores fees, tax and inflation — see ASIC MoneySmart for how compound interest works.

How can I cut my subscription costs?

Audit every recurring charge on your bank and card statements a couple of times a year and cancel anything you've stopped using. Share family or household plans where the terms allow, rotate streaming services rather than holding them all at once, and watch for free trials that quietly convert to paid. Even trimming one or two subscriptions frees up money to save or invest.

Subscription Cost Calculator

Tally up what you really spend on streaming, music, apps, news, cloud and gym subscriptions in Australia — see the yearly total and what that money could grow to if you invested it instead.

Last verified: 5 May 2026

What are your subscriptions really costing you?

A handful of streaming services plus apps, music and a gym easily adds up to $100+ a month — over $1,200 a year. Use the calculator to total your subs, then see what the same money could grow to if invested. Source: ASIC MoneySmart.

Worked example. Three streaming services at $15 plus $40 of other subs is $85/month — about $1,020 a year. Invested at 8% instead, that's roughly $15,600 after 10 years.

General information and estimates only — not financial, tax, or legal advice. Always verify with a licensed adviser or the ATO.

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