Facebook Ads Insights Tool

Facebook Ads Cost Per Purchase Benchmarks in Australia

See how your purchase costs compare. Explore ecommerce conversion cost benchmarks by industry, region, and campaign type

Cost Per Purchase in Australia

November 2024 - November 2025

Insights

Detailed observation of presented data

Introduction

Australia’s cost per purchase ran well below the global Facebook Ads benchmark for most of the year, yet it moved with far sharper swings. The story opens with a sharp December trough, surges to an April spike more than double March levels, and then cools into a low-cost October finish. In short: Australia delivered cheaper country-specific ad costs on average, but with higher volatility and a few standout reversals.

This analysis is based on $3B worth of advertising data from our dataset, which provides strong directional benchmarks. This analysis explores ad performance trends for all industries in Australia compared to the global benchmark.

The story in the data

Across all industries in Australia, cost per purchase (CPP) averaged 38 over the 12-month window, ranging from a low of 25.75 in December to a high of 64.74 in April. The period began at 45.57 in November 2024 and ended at 27.03 in October 2025, a 41% decline from start to finish.

Momentum shifted quickly:

  • November to December fell 20 points to the annual low (−44% MoM).
  • After a moderate Q1 (29.5–32.2 in Jan–Mar), April spiked to 64.74, up 111% from March.
  • The surge faded through May (36.17) and June (28.06), then oscillated through Q3: 37.74 in July, 51.74 in August, 46.87 in September.
  • October closed soft at 27.03, down 58% from the April peak.

Volatility stood out. Australia’s average month-to-month swing was 13.6 points, with two major breaks: the December plunge and the April jump. By contrast, the global series moved in a tighter band.

Seasonal and monthly dynamics

The final months of 2024 showed a counter-seasonal drop in December to the annual low, followed by a gradual rebuild in Q1 2025 that remained subdued versus global levels. April marked the pivotal month, where purchase costs spiked sharply before retracing through early winter. Q3 was choppy: a July lift, an August pop, and a September ease. The period ended with a low-cost October, echoing softer engagement pricing despite typical late-year competition. The rhythm reads as a trough (December), a spring crest (April), and a second trough (October).

Australia vs. Global

Against the global benchmark, Australia’s CPP averaged 23% lower (38 vs. 49.33). The global range was narrow (roughly 42.6–53.8), peaking in February, while Australia’s range was much wider (25.8–64.7). Month by month:

  • Australia ran below global in 9 of 12 months, most notably December (−49%) and February (−45%).
  • It moved above market in April (+25%), November (+7%), and August (+3%).
  • The gap was narrowest in August (roughly at parity) and widest in December.
  • Trend-wise, the global series was steady (+1.7% from November to October), whereas Australia declined 41% over the same span and was about five times more volatile (average monthly change 13.6 vs. 2.6 globally).

Closing

Understanding Facebook Ads benchmarks for cost per purchase in all industries in Australia reveals a year defined by lower-than-global country-specific ad costs, punctuated by a pronounced April spike and a soft October close. For marketers tracking CPP trends, CPM analysis, and CTR performance, this benchmark view frames Australia’s industry ad performance against a steadier global backdrop.

Understanding the Data

Insights & analysis of Facebook advertising costs

Facebook advertising costs vary based on many factors including industry, target audience, ad placement, and campaign objectives. Different industries see varying ad costs due to market competition, user demographics, and conversion value. For campaigns targeting Australia, advertisers typically see good engagement rates despite moderate costs. Different campaign objectives lead to varying costs based on how Facebook optimizes for your specific goals. The data shown represents median values across multiple campaigns, and individual results may vary based on ad quality, audience targeting, and campaign optimization.

Why we use median instead of average

We use the median CTR because the underlying distribution of click-through rates is highly skewed, with a small share of campaigns achieving extremely high CTRs. These outliers can inflate a simple average, making it less representative of what most advertisers actually experience. By using the median—which sits at the midpoint of all campaigns—we provide a more rigorous and realistic benchmark that reflects the true underlying data model and helps you set attainable performance expectations.

Key Factors Affecting Facebook Ad Costs

  • Competition within your selected industry and audience demographics
  • Ad quality and relevance score – higher quality ads can lower costs
  • Campaign objective and bid strategy
  • Timing and seasonality – costs often increase during holiday periods
  • Ad placement (News Feed, Instagram, Audience Network, etc.)

Note: This data represents industry median values and benchmarks. Your actual costs may vary based on specific targeting, ad creative quality, and campaign optimization.

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The data behind the benchmarks

All data is sourced from over $3B in Facebook ad spend, collected across thousands of ad accounts that use Superads daily to analyze and improve their campaigns. Every data point is fully anonymized and aggregated—no individual advertiser is ever exposed.

This dataset updates frequently as new ad data flows in. It will only get bigger and better.

Australia Advertising Landscape

National Holidays

Jan 1New Year's Day
Jan 27Australia Day (observed)
Apr 18‑21Easter weekend
Apr 25Anzac Day
Jun 9King's Birthday
Oct 6Labour Day
Dec 25Christmas Day
Dec 26Boxing Day

Key Shopping Season

Late December (Christmas and Boxing Day), Early December (Cyber Monday), January (Back-to-school), May (Mother's Day)

Potential Advertising Impact

Ad costs could spike around major holidays, especially Easter, Anzac Day, and Christmas. Increased budgets and earlier scheduling may be necessary. Retailers should consider planning promotions around back-to-school and Mother's Day to maximize campaign effectiveness.

What's a healthy cost per purchase for ecommerce brands?

It depends on your product price and margins. Most brands aim for $10 to $50. For higher-ticket products, a higher CPA may be acceptable as long as you're maintaining a strong return on ad spend.

How does product price impact CPA benchmarks?

Higher-priced products typically have a higher CPA because people take longer to convert. That's not necessarily a problem if your margin can support it. You should measure CPA in context with AOV and LTV.

Why are my purchase costs going up despite stable ROAS?

Your AOV may be increasing, which helps maintain ROAS even if CPA rises. You could also be facing higher CPMs, lower conversion rates, or creative fatigue.

Should I use manual bidding to control CPA more effectively?

Manual bidding can help if you're struggling to stay within target CPA. It's best used by experienced advertisers who can monitor performance and adjust regularly. It gives more control, but also requires more effort.

How do I scale spend without letting CPA skyrocket?

Increase budget gradually, rotate creative often, and avoid overlapping audiences. Scaling too quickly can lead to audience saturation and rising CPAs.