Aussies to spend up big on dads

Australians could spend as much as $800 million on Father's Day gifts this year, a survey has found. (AAP)

Australians are set to spend around $800 million on Father's Day presents this year with alcohol and food the gifts of choice.

A survey of almost 3000 adults by the Australian Retailers Association and researcher Roy Morgan has found people planning on buying a gift will spend an average of $93.

For 79 per cent of them, that amount is the same as they forked out last year, while 13 per cent said they are willing to spend slightly more.

Despite Father's Day being three weeks away, 62 per cent of those surveyed already know what gift they'll purchase.

Alcohol and food were mentioned by 28 per cent of those who've made a decision, ahead of vouchers and gift cards (16 per cent), clothing, shoes and sleepwear (16 per cent), books, music, DVDs and games (10 per cent) and tools, hardware and gardening (10 per cent).

NSW consumers are set to spend $259 million on dads, with Victorians laying down $223 million. However Queenslanders are the most generous, spending an average $112 on their gifts and $190 million in total.

ARA CEO Paul Zahra says the projections are a good barometer of people's intentions in the lead up to Christmas.

"Despite the ongoing impacts and uncertainty of future lockdowns, Australians are set to spoil their dads this Father's Day and it's great to see that elevated level of consumer spending which bodes well for retailers in the lead up to Christmas," he said.

"Father's Day is a key event on the retail calendar and while many families are likely to be separated this year, gifts are still front of mind for consumers with 92 per cent expected to spend about the same or slightly more on presents compared to last year."

Mr Zahra said people looking at gifts online should get in early to avoid disappointment.

"The pandemic and associated restrictions continue to put pressure on logistics and supply chains, so make sure you allow plenty of time for your gifts to be delivered," he said.

The snap SMS survey was conducted with an Australian-wide cross-section of 2914 people 18 and over between July 23 and July 27 and included more than a thousand who planned on buying gifts.