Lifestyles, consumption and environmental impact: National Household Consumption Survey

This national online survey will inform research into lifestyles, consumption and environmental impact.

• 6 January 2010 | Updated 14 October 2011

• About the survey
• What information does the survey ask for?
• What will CSIRO do with the information? 
• Preliminary results  

About the survey

Between April and June 2009 a national online survey was conducted to give Australians the opportunity to be involved in CSIRO research into lifestyles, consumption and environmental impact.

During this period 2171 people answered the survey from across Australia. The information obtained from the survey is currently being analysed to help shape the picture of Australian lifestyles and consumption patterns, to inform further research and future policy.

What information does the survey ask for?

The survey is divided into eight sections:

1. Food
2. Transport
3. Housing
4. Energy
5. Water
6. Time use
7. Consumer behaviour
8. Background information

For a copy of the survey questions please contact Ms Sonia Graham.

What will CSIRO do with the information?

Information gathered from this survey is being used to better understand the patterns of household consumption in Australia.

The information is being used to define different types of Australian households based the consumption and time-use behaviour.

Our research hypothesis is that different household types and their way of consuming and living will result in distinguishable categories of resource use and emission intensities.

The project outcomes should enable the identification of consumption behaviours and ways to implement a low carbon economy.

Preliminary results

Download the preliminary results in A snapshot of the lifestyles and consumption patterns of a sample of Australian households.

For a more detailed report please contact Ms Sonia Graham.

Find out more about the Lifestyles, consumption and environmental impact project.