Consumer confidence fell to its lowest level in four years as people grew more wary about the future, but low interest rates mean people still think it's a good time to buy big-ticket items.
The ANZ-Roy Morgan consumer confidence index fell to 113.9 in September from 118.2 in August with the current conditions index down 1 point at 126 and the future conditions index down 6 points at 106.
Confidence remains below the historical average of 120 as "consumers are particularly wary about what the future may bring," said ANZ chief economist Sharon Zollner.
Of the 1,000 respondents to the consumer confidence survey, a net 11 per cent said they are better off now than they were a year ago, down from 16 per cent in August, while a net 23 per cent expect to be doing better in 12 months, down from 27 per cent in August.
Perceptions regarding the next year's economic outlook for the country as a whole fell 9 points to a net 10 per cent expecting conditions to worsen, the lowest in four years.