Cinema industry trends Ticket prices 1976–2015 Next update March 2017 The average Australian ticket price has risen by 6 per cent over the past five years, and is up from $12.87 in 2011 to $13.60 in 2015. 1970s ($) 1976 1977 1978 1979 Top price1 3.50 4.50 4.50 4.75 Average price 3.30 3.50 3.50 3.70 1980s ($) 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 Top price1 5.50 6.00 6.50 7.00 7.00 7.50 8.00 8.50 9.50 10.50 Average price 4.00 4.50 5.00 5.60 5.40 5.40 5.31 6.16 6.10 6.60 1990s ($) 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 Top price1 11.00 11.50 11.50 11.50 11.50 12.00 12.50 12.50 12.50 12.50 Average price 6.61 6.95 7.09 7.00 7.00 7.17 7.26 7.47 7.87 7.93 2000s ($) 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 Top price1 13.50 13.50 14.00 14.00 15.80 15.00 15.50 20.00 20.00 25.00 Average price 8.39 8.78 9.13 9.64 9.92 9.94 10.37 10.57 11.17 11.99 2010s ($) 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 Top price1 23.00 28.50 25.50 27.00 27.00 24.50 Average price 12.26 12.87 13.10 13.41 13.68 13.60 Source: Motion Picture Distributors Association of Australia (MPDAA). May include some estimates. Notes: Prices are for major and independent cinemas (including IMAX) in city and suburban areas of Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth in current dollars (i.e. not adjusted for inflation). Ticket prices are based on annual data released the following January in the MPDAA box office admissions report; they do not reflect any subsequent updates by the MPDAA. 1. Top price paid for a standard cinema ticket is based on periodical spot checks conducted by the Australian Theatre Checking Service (ATCS) throughout each year. Higher price tickets may be sold, but are not included.