An increase in the number of Australians shoplifting has been blamed on the cost of living crisis

An astounding one-in-five Australians have admitted stealing groceries, dining and dashing or driving off at the servo in the past 12 months, new research shows, and there are fears those rates could even increase in coming months. Here’s why.

Almost one in five Aussies are stealing groceries, dining and dashing or driving off at the petrol station as the cost of living crisis deepens, according to new research.

Results of a ‘nationally representative’ survey with 1010 respondents, by comparison web site Finder, found almost one in five – or 19 per cent – of Australians admitted to stealing everyday items in the past 12 months.

But Queensland University of Technology retail expert Dr Gary Mortimer said theft could further increase in the lead up to Christmas when family expenditure is “traditionally heightened”.

“We understand that (shoplifting) is costing retailers nationally billions of dollars every year and certainly there is a correlation between the increasing cost of living and criminal behaviour or stealing,” he said.

Mr Mortimer said although the research could have been skewed by sample size or demographics “retailers are very much aware of how increasing cost of living may encourage small groups of consumers to leave the store without paying for things”.

The data showed nine per cent of Aussies have stolen items from the supermarket at the self-checkout, while 10 per cent have cheated at the self-serve check-outs by deliberately lying about what they have scanned.

Finder.com.au money expert Richard Whitten said there was a “growing subset” of Australians who were stealing consumables to “survive”.

“A lot of people are doing it tough as the cost of essentials like petrol, rent and energy have risen sharply,” he said.

QUT retailer expert Professor Gary Mortimer. Picture: Supplied

“Of course, most self-checkout machines can’t tell brown onions from portobello mushrooms, and I suspect a lot of Australians don’t regard scanning items incorrectly on purpose to be the same level of theft as running out of a shop with a loaf of bread.”

Mr Whitten said now was the time to look at other expenses and figure out where you could be saving.

He said creating a budget can limit overspending on non-essentials such as food delivery or online shopping.

“If cost of living pressures don’t ease soon, it seems likely we’ll see more Australians helping themselves at the supermarket – especially if people are spending more and more of their income on other items that you can’t easily steal, like rent or utilities.”

Finder’s research also showed six per cent of Aussies have driven away from the bowser without paying for filling up in the past year.

New research has found more Aussies are stealing from supermarkets. Picture: Supplied

With Australians being advised to brace for further price increases, Mr Whitten said there were safer ways to cut back on costs.

“Loyalty doesn’t pay – shop around for the best deal on all your expenses,” he said.

“Simple switches could save you hundreds of dollars a year.

“If you’re really struggling to make ends meet, contact your bill providers and ask them about their hardship policies or payment plans – they can work with you to alleviate some stress and get on the front foot.”

Mr Mortimer said there has been a “clear shift” in consumers purchasing private label alternatives as a “means to save money at the checkout”.

“Our own research at QUT found that shoppers can save around 17 per cent every year by using the unit price rather than the retail price.”