Key information about Australia Consumer Price Index CPI growth

• Australia Consumer Price Index (CPI) growth was measured at 2.4 % YoY in Dec 2024, compared with a rate of 2.9 % in the previous quarter.
• Australia Consumer Price Index growth data is updated quarterly, available from Dec 1987 to Dec 2024, with an averaged number of 2.5 % YoY.
• The data reached an all-time high of 8.5 % YoY in Mar 1990 and a record low of -0.3 % YoY in Jun 2020.

Over the twelve months preceding December 2023 quarter, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) in Australia grew 4.1 percent. This is a drop of 3.7 percent from the previous December. The CPI measures the average change in prices of a fixed basket of goods and services, purchased by household residents in Australia's eight state and territory capital cities.

In 2023, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) in Australia had risen to an all time high of 136.1points. In Australia, the CPI measures changes in the prices paid by consumers for a basket of goods and services. The CPI in Australia has risen steadily for decades.

Monthly CPI Indicator in Australia decreased to 2.40 percent in February from 2.50 percent in January of 2025. This dataset includes a chart with historical data for Australia Monthly CPI Indicator.

In December 2023, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) in Adelaide, Australia recorded a change of 4.8 percent, higher than any other capital city in the country. The CPI measures household inflation. Hobart and Perth saw the lowest change with around three percent.

The statistic shows the inflation rate in Australia from 1987 to 2022, with projections up until 2029. The inflation rate is calculated using the price increase of a defined product basket. This product basket contains products and services, on which the average consumer spends money throughout the year. They include expenses for groceries, clothes, rent, power, telecommunications, recreational activities and raw materials (e.g. gas, oil), as well as federal fees and taxes. In 2022, the average inflation rate in Australia was at about 6.61 percent compared to the previous year.

Australia's economy

Australia has one of the world’s largest economies and is a significant global importer and exporter. It is also labeled as one of the G20 countries, also known as the Group of Twenty, which consists of 20 major economies around the globe. The Australian economy is highly dependent on its mining sector as well as its agricultural sector in order to grow, and it exports the majority of these goods to eastern Asian countries, most prominently China. Large quantities of exports have helped Australia maintain a stable economy and furthered economic expansion, despite being affected by several economic obstacles.

Australia’s GDP has seen a significant increase over the past decade, more than doubling its value, and experienced a rather quick recovery from the 2008 financial crisis, which indicates that the country experienced economic growth as well as higher productivity. One of the primary reasons is the further development of the nation’s mining industry coupled with the expansion and success of many Australian mining companies.

Australia Consumer Price Index (CPI): MoM data was reported at -0.240 % in Jan 2025. This records a decrease from the previous number of 0.805 % for Dec 2024. Australia Consumer Price Index (CPI): MoM data is updated monthly, averaging 0.283 % from Oct 2017 (Median) to Jan 2025, with 88 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 1.654 % in Jul 2020 and a record low of -1.240 % in Apr 2020. Australia Consumer Price Index (CPI): MoM data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Australian Bureau of Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Australia – Table AU.I002: Consumer Price Index: Sep 2017=100: Monthly.

Australia Consumer Price Index (CPI): YoY data was reported at 2.568 % in 2026. This records an increase from the previous number of 2.258 % for 2025. Australia Consumer Price Index (CPI): YoY data is updated yearly, averaging 3.286 % from Dec 1961 (Median) to 2026, with 66 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 15.417 % in 1974 and a record low of -0.319 % in 1962. Australia Consumer Price Index (CPI): YoY data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Australia – Table AU.OECD.EO: Consumer and Wholesale Price Index: Forecast: OECD Member: Annual. CPI_YTYPCT- Headline inflation The CPI year-on-year changes is a measure of inflation

Trimmed Mean CPI QoQ in Australia decreased to 0.50 percent in the fourth quarter of 2024 from 0.80 percent in the third quarter of 2024. This dataset includes a chart with historical data for Australia RBA Trimmed Mean CPI QoQ.

Australia Consumer Price Index (CPI): Brisbane: Communication data was reported at 117.700 1989-1990=100 in Jun 2012. This records a decrease from the previous number of 118.000 1989-1990=100 for Mar 2012. Australia Consumer Price Index (CPI): Brisbane: Communication data is updated quarterly, averaging 102.800 1989-1990=100 from Sep 1972 (Median) to Jun 2012, with 160 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 118.000 1989-1990=100 in Mar 2012 and a record low of 33.900 1989-1990=100 in Sep 1974. Australia Consumer Price Index (CPI): Brisbane: Communication data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Australian Bureau of Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Australia – Table AU.I009: Consumer Price Index: 1989-90=100: Eight Capital Cities.

The Regional Price Index contrasts the cost of a common basket of goods and services at a number of regional locations to the Perth metropolitan area. The RPIs were commissioned to assist with the calculation of the Western Australian State Government’s regional district allowance, and it has been used to assist in policy decision-making. Show full description

Australia Consumer Price Index (CPI): Weighted Average of Eight Capital Cities data was reported at 180.400 1989-1990=100 in Jun 2012. This records an increase from the previous number of 179.500 1989-1990=100 for Mar 2012. Australia Consumer Price Index (CPI): Weighted Average of Eight Capital Cities data is updated quarterly, averaging 47.400 1989-1990=100 from Sep 1948 (Median) to Jun 2012, with 256 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 180.400 1989-1990=100 in Jun 2012 and a record low of 3.700 1989-1990=100 in Sep 1948. Australia Consumer Price Index (CPI): Weighted Average of Eight Capital Cities data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Australian Bureau of Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Australia – Table AU.I006: Consumer Price Index: 1989-90=100: Eight Capital Cities. Rebased from 1989-90=100 to 2011-12=100. Replacement series ID: 350585501

Australia Consumer Price Index (CPI): Weights: Transportation: Private Motoring: Maintenance & Repair of Motor Vehicles data was reported at 2.000 % in Dec 2024. This stayed constant from the previous number of 2.000 % for Sep 2024. Australia Consumer Price Index (CPI): Weights: Transportation: Private Motoring: Maintenance & Repair of Motor Vehicles data is updated quarterly, averaging 1.910 % from Sep 2017 (Median) to Dec 2024, with 30 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 2.000 % in Dec 2024 and a record low of 1.780 % in Sep 2022. Australia Consumer Price Index (CPI): Weights: Transportation: Private Motoring: Maintenance & Repair of Motor Vehicles data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Australian Bureau of Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Australia – Table AU.I010: Consumer Price Index: Weights: 17th Series.

Australia Consumer Price Index (CPI): Housing: Rents: Rents data was reported at 203.800 1989-1990=100 in Jun 2012. This records an increase from the previous number of 201.500 1989-1990=100 for Mar 2012. Australia Consumer Price Index (CPI): Housing: Rents: Rents data is updated quarterly, averaging 107.000 1989-1990=100 from Sep 1972 (Median) to Jun 2012, with 160 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 203.800 1989-1990=100 in Jun 2012 and a record low of 19.400 1989-1990=100 in Sep 1972. Australia Consumer Price Index (CPI): Housing: Rents: Rents data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Australian Bureau of Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Australia – Table AU.I008: Consumer Price Index: 1989-90=100.

In the June quarter of 2023, the consumer price index (CPI) of alcoholic beverages in Australia had risen to a record 126.4 points. The consumer price index of alcoholic beverages in the country has continued to rise since 2000.

Australia Consumer Price Index (CPI): Perth: All Groups data was reported at 180.400 1989-1990=100 in Jun 2012. This records an increase from the previous number of 179.500 1989-1990=100 for Mar 2012. Australia Consumer Price Index (CPI): Perth: All Groups data is updated quarterly, averaging 47.750 1989-1990=100 from Sep 1948 (Median) to Jun 2012, with 256 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 180.400 1989-1990=100 in Jun 2012 and a record low of 3.700 1989-1990=100 in Sep 1948. Australia Consumer Price Index (CPI): Perth: All Groups data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Australian Bureau of Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Australia – Table AU.I009: Consumer Price Index: 1989-90=100: Eight Capital Cities.

Australia Consumer Price Index (CPI): Perth: Housing: Rents: Rents data was reported at 122.100 2011-2012=100 in Dec 2024. This records an increase from the previous number of 120.500 2011-2012=100 for Sep 2024. Australia Consumer Price Index (CPI): Perth: Housing: Rents: Rents data is updated quarterly, averaging 56.200 2011-2012=100 from Sep 1972 (Median) to Dec 2024, with 210 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 122.100 2011-2012=100 in Dec 2024 and a record low of 12.200 2011-2012=100 in Sep 1972. Australia Consumer Price Index (CPI): Perth: Housing: Rents: Rents data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Australian Bureau of Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Australia – Table AU.I007: Consumer Price Index: 2011-12=100: Eight Capital Cities.

Between December 2022 and December 2023, wages in Australia grew by around 4.2 percent. Wage growth in recent years has been relatively low in comparison to previous years, in particular in December 2020, which only saw a wage growth of 1.3%. Inflation and CPI outstripping wages While wages have increased in Australia, they have still not matched the rate of inflation, which was sitting at 4.1 percent at the end of 2023, down from a high of 7.8 percent at the end of the previous year. The high cost of goods has also put pressure on the public, with the Consumer Price Index standing at around 136 points, compared to a base year of 2011-12. Rent is on the rise As with many around the world, Australians are also feeling the costs of rent increases. The majority of people in Australia perceive that the cost of rent has risen significantly in their local area. This in turn has seen the government expenditure on rental assistance continue to be high, with around 4.7 billion Australian dollars spent to assist the Australian public in maintaining their housing needs.

Australia Consumer Price Index (CPI): Food: Meat and Seafoods: Fish and Other Seafood data was reported at 153.500 1989-1990=100 in Jun 2012. This records a decrease from the previous number of 153.900 1989-1990=100 for Mar 2012. Australia Consumer Price Index (CPI): Food: Meat and Seafoods: Fish and Other Seafood data is updated quarterly, averaging 101.200 1989-1990=100 from Sep 1976 (Median) to Jun 2012, with 144 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 155.300 1989-1990=100 in Mar 2010 and a record low of 26.200 1989-1990=100 in Sep 1976. Australia Consumer Price Index (CPI): Food: Meat and Seafoods: Fish and Other Seafood data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Australian Bureau of Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Australia – Table AU.I008: Consumer Price Index: 1989-90=100.

The rent price index in Australia in the fourth quarter of 2024 was 120.7, marking an increase from the same quarter of the previous year. Rent prices had decreased in 2020; in Melbourne and Sydney, this was mainly attributed to the absence of international students during the coronavirus outbreak. The current state of the rental market in Australia The rental market in Australia has been marked by varying conditions across different regions. Among the capital cities, Sydney and Melbourne have long been recognized for having some of the highest average rents. As of September 2024, the average weekly rent for a house in Sydney was 775 Australian dollars, which was the highest average rent across all major cities in Australia that year. Furthermore, due to factors like population growth and housing demand, regional areas have also seen noticeable increases in rental prices. For instance, households in the non-metropolitan area of New South Wales’s expenditure on rent was around 30 percent of their household income in the year ending June 2024. Housing affordability in Australia Housing affordability remains a significant challenge in Australia, contributing to a trend where many individuals and families rent for prolonged periods. The underlying cause of this issue is the ongoing disparity between household wages and housing costs, especially in large cities. While renting offers several advantages, it is worth noting that the associated costs may not always align with the expectation of affordability. Approximately one-third of participants in a survey conducted in 2023 stated that they pay between 16 and 30 percent of their monthly income on rent. Recent government initiatives such as the 2024 Help to Buy scheme aim to make it easier for people across Australia to get onto the property ladder. Still, the multifaceted nature of Australia’s housing affordability problem requires continued efforts to strike a balance between market dynamics and the need for accessible housing options for Australians.