Prices checked: 18 October 2026. Advertised prices, minimum orders and delivery fees change often, so confirm on the provider’s website before ordering. MealFinder is an independent directory and does not prepare or sell meals.
Based on the providers we checked on 18 October 2026, meal delivery in Australia typically advertises from about $10 to $16 per ready-made meal, plus delivery. Meal kits can advertise a lower starting price per serve, but you cook them yourself. The number on the menu is rarely the number you pay: minimum orders, flat shipping fees and promotional conditions change the final cost per meal. This guide shows what providers advertise, how to calculate your real cost for a week, and where the savings are. For a provider-by-provider comparison, see our guide to ready-made meals in Australia.
How we gathered these prices
We read each provider’s own website on 18 October 2026 and recorded only the figures stated there: “from” prices, featured-menu prices, minimum orders and shipping fees. We did not place orders, so checkout totals may differ. Where a figure wasn’t visible we say “Check with provider”. Promotional offers (such as “up to 40% off”) are not used in our calculations.
What Is the Average Cost of Meal Delivery in Australia?
There is no single average, because “meal delivery” covers different products: fresh ready-made meals, frozen ready-made meals and meal kits. The advertised figures we found were:
| Type | Provider | Advertised price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fresh ready-made | Chefgood | $10.08–$11.20 per meal | Price falls as plan size grows (Slim & Trim plans, 5–20 meals) |
| Fresh ready-made | My Muscle Chef | From $10.95 | 70+ meals; delivery cost: check with provider |
| Fresh ready-made | Dineamic | From $11.95 | $49 minimum order, $15 flat shipping |
| Fresh, made to order | Muscle Meals Direct | $15.95 (featured meals) | Delivery cost: check with provider |
| Frozen ready-made | The Dinner Ladies | Serves 2 from $21.50; serves 4 about $41 | About $10.25–$13.25 per serve; $75 minimum food order |
| Frozen ready-made | Gourmet Dinner Service | Check with provider | $75 minimum order for delivery |
| Meal kit (you cook) | HelloFresh | “Starting from $6.36” per meal | Starting price shown on its homepage with promotions; check the price for your box size |
| Fresh ready-made | Youfoodz | Check with provider | Price shown after entering a postcode |
Meal kit providers such as Dinnerly and Marley Spoon did not show prices on their public homepages when we checked, so we have not quoted them.
What Does Meal Delivery Cost Per Week?
For one person, five ready-made lunches typically cost roughly $55–$80 a week before any delivery fee, based on advertised prices. These examples use advertised “from” or featured prices, no discount codes and no delivery fee unless the provider states one.
| Example order | Provider | Calculation | Weekly cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 lunches | Chefgood | 5 × $11.20 | $56.00 |
| 5 lunches | My Muscle Chef | 5 × $10.95 | $54.75 |
| 5 lunches | Dineamic | 5 × $11.95 + $15 shipping | $74.75 |
| 5 lunches | Muscle Meals Direct | 5 × $15.95 | $79.75 |
| 7 dinners | Chefgood | 7 × $11.20 | $78.40 |
| 7 dinners | My Muscle Chef | 7 × $10.95 | $76.65 |
| 7 dinners | Dineamic | 7 × $11.95 + $15 shipping | $98.65 |
| 7 dinners | Muscle Meals Direct | 7 × $15.95 | $111.65 |
Over four weeks, five lunches a week works out to about $224 (Chefgood), $219 (My Muscle Chef), $299 (Dineamic) and $319 (Muscle Meals Direct) on these assumptions.
Families and couples. Frozen family meals are priced per dish. Seven serves-4 dinners from The Dinner Ladies at about $41 each (lasagne, chicken pie and cottage pie were listed at that price) come to $287 for 28 serves, about $10.25 a serve, before delivery. A four-person meal kit box at HelloFresh’s advertised starting price of $6.36 a serve would be about $178 for 28 serves, but that is a starting price and the real cost depends on the recipes, serves and current promotions.
Why Delivery Fees and Minimum Orders Change the Real Price
Delivery and minimum orders can add more per meal than the difference between providers. Dineamic’s advertised price is from $11.95, but with its $15 flat shipping fee the effective price depends on order size:
| Dineamic order (from $11.95 per meal) | Meals cost | Plus $15 shipping | Effective price per meal |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 meals | $59.75 | $74.75 | $14.95 |
| 7 meals | $83.65 | $98.65 | $14.09 |
| 10 meals | $119.50 | $134.50 | $13.45 |
| 14 meals | $167.30 | $182.30 | $13.02 |
Other order rules we found:
- Dineamic: $49 minimum order; flat $15 refrigerated shipping.
- The Dinner Ladies: $75 minimum food order; delivery fee shown after you enter your suburb.
- Gourmet Dinner Service: $75 minimum order for delivery; fee depends on your postcode.
- Chefgood: says shipping is free on recurring orders above a threshold; the site showed both $99+ and $125+ in different places, so confirm at checkout.
- My Muscle Chef: a new-customer offer we saw required a $99 minimum order and a second order within 14 days.
Fresh vs Frozen vs Meal Kits: Which Costs Less?
Per serve, meal kits often advertise the lowest starting price, but ready-made meals cost less of your time. Neither category is always cheaper once delivery is counted.
- Fresh ready-made meals are usually priced per meal and delivered chilled; they suit a fixed weekly routine.
- Frozen ready-made meals are often priced per dish or serve with a higher minimum order, which can suit stocking up and reducing waste.
- Meal kits supply ingredients and recipes, so the price per serve can look lower, but you still cook, and extras such as dessert or larger serves raise the total.
To compare fairly, work out cost per serve including delivery and compare it with what you spend on groceries and takeaway now. We do not quote an Australian average for home cooking, because it varies widely by household. For more detail, see fresh vs frozen ready-made meals.
What Affects the Cost of Meal Delivery?
- Portion size and protein. A 360 g meal and a 450 g meal are not like for like.
- Plan size. Chefgood advertises $11.20 per meal on 5 or 7 meals, falling to $10.08 on 20 meals.
- Subscription or one-off. Some providers discount subscriptions; others, such as Dineamic, allow one-off orders.
- Dietary range. High-protein, low-calorie, gluten-free or diabetes-friendly ranges can be priced differently.
- Location. Delivery coverage and fees vary by postcode, especially in regional areas.
- Promotions. Introductory discounts often have conditions, so compare regular prices.
How to Save Money on Meal Delivery
- Order more per delivery so a flat shipping fee is spread across more meals.
- Check free-shipping thresholds before building your order.
- Compare regular prices, not only first-order discounts.
- Compare cost per serve, especially for frozen family dishes.
- Read cancellation terms before subscribing; several providers state you can pause, skip or cancel.
- Look for concession or funding options. Youfoodz lists pages for concessions, students, seniors and NDIS/Support at Home; Dineamic, Gourmet Dinner Service and Marley Spoon also mention NDIS or Support at Home. Eligibility depends on your own plan, so ask your plan manager or the provider.
- Use your freezer. Frozen meals can reduce waste if you don’t eat the same pattern each week.
Is Meal Delivery Worth the Cost?
It depends on how you value your time and what you currently spend. Meal delivery can make sense if you would otherwise buy lunch most days, struggle to plan meals, need portion-controlled or dietitian-reviewed options, or have limited time or mobility. It is less likely to save money if you already cook cheaply in bulk. Work out your weekly total using the tables above and decide whether the convenience is worth the difference.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does meal delivery cost per week in Australia?
For one person, five ready-made lunches typically cost roughly $55–$80 a week based on advertised prices we checked on 18 October 2026, and seven dinners roughly $77–$112, before any delivery fee. Prices vary by provider, plan size and location.
What is the cheapest meal delivery service in Australia?
Among the ready-made providers we checked, Chefgood’s larger plans advertised the lowest per-meal prices (from $10.08), and My Muscle Chef started at $10.95. HelloFresh advertises meal kits from $6.36 a meal, but you cook those yourself. Always compare the full order total.
Is meal delivery cheaper than cooking at home?
Not usually, if you cook cheaply in bulk. Delivery adds the cost of preparation and packaging. It can be better value than buying lunch or takeaway most days. Compare your own weekly spending.
Do meal delivery services charge for delivery?
Often yes. Dineamic charges a flat $15 refrigerated shipping fee. The Dinner Ladies and Gourmet Dinner Service set minimum orders of $75, with fees by postcode. Some providers offer free shipping above a threshold.
Are meal kits cheaper than ready-made meals?
Meal kits can advertise a lower starting price per serve (HelloFresh from $6.36), but you must shop for extras, cook and clean up. Ready-made meals cost more per serve in most examples we checked, but need only reheating.
Can I use NDIS or Support at Home funding for meal delivery?
Some providers say they supply NDIS or Support at Home customers. Whether meals are funded depends on your plan, so confirm with your plan manager and the provider first.
Do I need a subscription for meal delivery?
Not always. Dineamic says no subscription or contract is needed, and several providers state you can pause or cancel. Confirm terms at checkout.
Final Verdict — Working Out Your Real Cost
Compare cost per serve including delivery, not the headline “from” price. For a single person on a tight budget, larger plans from the fresh providers with lower per-meal prices are worth checking. For families, frozen per-serve pricing can be competitive. For no-lock-in flexibility, one-off ordering matters. Before ordering, check your postcode, minimum order, shipping fee and the regular (not introductory) price.
Explore meal delivery services on MealFinder.com.au, compare local providers and find options in your area: browse all providers, read the Sydney meal delivery guide, or see healthy meal options.