WA shoppers splash cash during EOFY as spending rebounds

West Australians opened their wallets during the end of financial year (EOFY) period, with Bankwest Spend Trends data showing spending increased compared to May as consumers searched for bargains in June.

• Compared to May, total spend increased 11.4%, average transaction values rose 8.3%, and the number of customers transacting increased 2.8%.
• Year-on-year, total spend increased 5.7% and average transaction values rose 6.6%, despite the number of customers transacting declining 0.8%.
• Electric appliance total spending increased 36.8% month-on-month, the largest increase of any major spending category with year-on-year spending up 11.6%.

Where West Australians are spending

• Total spend rose most strongly month-on-month on electric appliance (+36.8%), auto rental (+29.8%) and interior furnishings (+28.4%).
• Year-on-year, the strongest growth in total spend was recorded in sporting-toy stores (+25.1%), miscellaneous stores (+16.2%) and clothing stores (+13.6%).
• Travel-related categories also recorded strong growth in customer activity during June, including Travel Agencies, Auto Rental and Airlines.

Generational snapshot – June (year-on-year)

• Gen Z led all generations for total spending growth, up 10.7% year-on-year, supported by a 2.4% increase in customer numbers and a 5.7% rise in average transaction values.
• Millennials recorded total spending growth of 7.8%, despite customer numbers easing 0.6%, with average transaction values up 8.4%.
• Gen X total spending increased 4.7%, with average transaction values up 5.8%, while customer numbers declined 1.2%.
• Baby Boomers recorded a small decline in total spend of 0.3% and customer numbers fell 4.5%, although average transaction values rose 3.4%.

Virtual cards use surges during EOFY sales period

• Bankwest is seeing customers increasingly choose to use virtual cards to make payments when shopping on unfamiliar websites and when shopping online during major promotional sales periods.
• A virtual card is a temporary digital card generated in the Bankwest app with its own card number, allowing customers to make online purchases without sharing their regular card details.
• Since launch in March 2025, WA customers have created 121,864 virtual cards. June 2026 was the second-highest month on record for virtual card creation in Western Australia.

Comments attributable to Bankwest General Manager, Product Pricing & Credit, Lynn Da Silva

"June's figures suggest West Australians made the most of end of financial year sales and many customers were still looking for value but were prepared to spend more when they found the right deal.

"We're also seeing growing use of Bankwest’s temporary virtual cards during major sales periods for online shopping as customers seek ways to help stay protected from scams, fraud or unwanted transactions.

"WA customers have created more than 121,000 virtual cards since launch, with June 26 becoming the second-biggest month for virtual card creation in WA, suggesting shoppers increasingly embrace them”.