Central Queensland kids among the best fed in Queensland

CQ parents are the biggest spenders in Queensland when it comes to their children’s food and drinks.

NEW data suggests our children may be among the best fed kids in the state.

Suncorp Bank figures show our parents are the biggest spenders in Queensland when it comes to their children's food and drinks.

Parents in the Central Queensland region, which includes Rockhampton, spend about $317 on food every month for each child, which is almost $40 more than the state average.

Suncorp Bank's Cost of Kids report also revealed our parents splurged on their kids' holidays, with spending levels at about $78 every month for each child - the highest in the state.

Suncorp Bank regional manager Tom Troy, who is based in Rockhampton, said geography could be the reason why the region's parents were the state's biggest spenders on children's holidays.

He said in other areas of the state, many parents saved up all year to go on a big holiday, but those living in Central Queensland were more likely to go away more regularly, especially on weekends.

"The cost is driven up when the frequency increases," he said.

Mr Troy admitted he was surprised to learn parents in the region spent the most on food in the state.

He said it could come down to limited competition between supermarket chains and higher transport costs, meaning cheaper groceries were not as common.

Parents in Central Queensland could also spend more on takeaway and eating out, Mr Troy said, such as those who buy dinner on the way home from their children's sporting practice because they lack the time to cook.

The data, collected through surveys, showed parents in our region were also Queensland's biggest spenders on a child's health care ($53 each month per child), utilities ($91) and communications and technology ($57).

But there are other areas where Central Queensland parents are the lowest spenders in the state, including housing, which costs about $152 a month per child in the region - $18 less than the state average.

Interestingly, Central Queensland parents spend the least on childcare and education, but are the biggest spenders for tutoring.

Mr Troy said it was possible the region's lower education costs could be attributed to a limited number of private schools.

The Cost of Kids report showed the average child in the Central Queensland region cost a total of $1340 a month, which was about $20 less than the state average.

Mr Troy said it was important to make children aware of the family budget.

He also said it was never too early to start giving them pocket money to teach them the value of money and how to save.

Having pocket money helped children learn to manage finances and avoid continually relying on their parents, he added.

Originally published as Central Queensland kids among the best fed in Queensland