Companies are responding to these shifts by managing expenses with greater precision. They are maintaining tight controls through automated compliance and expense policy tools to keep pace with the change and prevent a return to pre-pandemic cost inefficiencies, according to SAP Concur.
Data from the Concur Expense platform revealed a 14 per cent increase in total expense transactions across ANZ between 2023 and 2024. This growth was especially evident in client-facing and mobility-related categories, including meals (19%), mileage (21%), and ground transport (13%), indicating the expansion of travel programs and a greater volume of in-person interactions.[*]
Despite a rise in overall volume, the average spend per transaction remained steady, increasing marginally from $122 to $125 year-over-year (YoY). Lodging costs edged up slightly from $208 to $212, while air travel rose from $388 to $405. Other expense categories saw minimal movement or slight declines, with meals dipping from $47 to $46, office supplies from $133 to $132, and parking from $40 to $39.
Jonathan Beeby, managing director, SAP Concur Australia and New Zealand, said, “Businesses have expanded their activities in a measured way, without reverting to unchecked travel. The data reveals thoughtful investment into client interaction, travel, and mobility, with a much higher level of financial oversight. Companies are using this data to inform their decisions, and it shows in how stable the cost profile has remained.”
Compliance continues to be a top organisational priority. SAP Concur estimates that 15 to 20 per cent of expense reports include non-compliant spend, often stemming from errors such as unitemised receipts or duplicate claims. In response, many businesses are turning to automated, artificial intelligence (AI)-powered auditing platforms to identify non-compliant expenses and reduce the administrative burden on internal teams. In 2024, these intelligent systems conducted over 80 million automated compliance checks each month, helping organisations reduce risk while easing pressure on finance teams.
Jonathan Beeby said, “Company leaders are supporting employees who travel more frequently or work from various locations; however, every transaction must align with policy and remain fully traceable. That’s only possible through an automated system that works at scale, without adding friction to the employee experience.”
SAP Concur’s data also reveals increased fuel and parking expenses, indicating a shift towards regional travel and personal vehicle use. Gas transactions rose by 10 per cent, and parking expenses grew by 15 per cent. The number of train travel expenses were up by 12 per cent, pointing to diverse transport choices within business travel programs. Car rental volumes saw a modest two per cent rise, suggesting this mode of travel remains consistent.
Other categories such as entertainment (10 per cent), telecom (seven per cent), and office supplies (six per cent) registered smaller changes. These numbers show restraint in spending on non-core activities and administrative functions, supporting a shift toward leaner operational structures.
Jonathan Beeby said, “This data isn’t just about spend patterns. It reflects how organisations are reshaping their business models around travel, employee mobility, and operational transparency. Decisions are being made with more confidence because the data helps leaders anticipate outcomes, not react to them.
“As 2025 progresses, the focus for many companies has shifted from recovery to long-term optimisation. Expense data remains a vital source of visibility into how workforces operate, where costs accumulate, and which investments support growth. The organisations best equipped for what comes next are those that have already embedded control, visibility, and flexibility into their expense management systems.”
[*] https://www.concur.com.au/blog/article/business-travel-spending-rises-in-2024-for-australian-and-new-zealand-businesses
