Find out how Australians feel about the increasing cost of living in our latest survey, as well as the latest data from the Cost of Living Index in 2024.

In a survey conducted in Australia during the second quarter of 2022, over half of the respondents indicated that they had switched to cheaper brands or shopped around for cheaper prices as a way of dealing with cost of living pressures. More than *** in *** respondents indicated that they had deliberately missed a bill payment in response to rising pressures.

According to a survey conducted among adults in Australia in March 2025, 59 percent of the respondents surveyed in September believed that the cost of living is the chief issue that Australia is facing. This represented a three percent decrease in those citing the cost of living as the main issue compared to March of the previous year.

In a survey about factors contributing to cost of living pressures in Australia during the second quarter of 2022, 62 percent of respondents identified groceries as the biggest contributor. Additionally, 47 percent mentioned transport as a key contributor.

In a survey conducted in Australia in August 2022, almost ** percent of households with a household income between ** and ** thousand Australian dollars had bought cheaper food options to deal with the higher cost of living. Almost one third of households with a household income of over ** thousand Australian dollars had used their savings to combat increasing living costs.

Inflation Rate in Australia remained unchanged at 2.40 percent in the first quarter of 2025 from 2.40 percent in the fourth quarter of 2024. This dataset provides the latest reported value for - Australia Inflation Rate - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news.

In a survey conducted in Australia in August 2022, over ** percent of single parent households with children had bought cheaper food options to deal with the higher cost of living. Almost ** percent of single parent households with children had used their savings to combat increasing living costs.

Climate warming can induce a ‘cost-of-living squeeze’ in ectotherms by increasing energetic expenditures while reducing foraging gains. We used biophysical models (validated by 2,685 field observations) to test this hypothesis for ten ecologically diverse lizards in African and Australian deserts. Historical warming (1950-2020) has been more intense in Africa than in Australia, translating to an energetic ‘squeeze’ for African diurnal species, no net impact on Australian diurnal species, but generating an energetic ‘relief’ (by increasing foraging time) for nocturnal species. Future warming impacts will be more severe in Africa than in Australia, especially in summer, requiring increased rates of food intake (+10% per hour active for diurnal species). The effects of climate warming on energy budgets of desert lizards will be species-specific but predictable.

Overview

The report presents updated estimates of household food expenditure trends and examines further issues relating to Australia's household food expenditure. The analysis builds on a June 2017 ABARES report that examined recent trends in food demand in Australia and a range of food security issues.

Key Issues

Between 2009-10 and 2016-17, the key drivers of Australia's household food demand growth were, in order of importance, population growth, changes in tastes and preferences (including lifestyle choices), lower real food prices and real income growth. While population growth is important, increasing the number of people seeking to meet their energy and nutrition requirements, there has also been a broadly-based shift toward spending on meals out and fast foods, with the share of meals out and fast foods in household food expenditure in Australia increasing from 31 per cent in 2009-10 to 34 per cent in 2015-16. This increases food expenditure per person, all else constant.

Domestic household consumption is still the most important market for food producers (based on value), but food exports have recovered strongly in recent years, from $25 billion in 2009-10 to $39 billion in 2016-17 (in 2015-16 prices); the share of exports in Australia's indicative food production increased from a recent low of 25 per cent in 2009-10 to 33 per cent in 2016-17.

Two key questions posed in the report relate to food security across population sub-groups and economic opportunities for farmers and other food product and service providers. • Food security-based on average outcomes in population sub-groups in 2015-16 using HES data, the Australian Government's transfer system is important in ensuring a high level of food security across households in Australia; some households, such as those highly reliant on family support payments, may require complementary support, for example, from non-government organisations.

• Economic opportunities in the domestic food supply chain-future food demand growth in Australia will be underpinned by population and income growth. For people living in higher income and/or net worth households, there is a demonstrated willingness to pay a premium for quality attributes of food products and services, including convenience factors. Food labelling is a key approach to inform consumers about quality attributes that may earn a price premium.

A key challenge in the long-term trend toward increased demand for meals out and fast foods is to ensure people have information about food attributes such as nutrition content. Reliable and well understood food product and service labelling may enhance nutrition security in Australia, and allow consumers to make food choices that are more closely aligned with their tastes and preferences (including in relation to nutrition and health), and wider circumstances, as well as contributing to reducing food waste.

Cost of living pressures weigh on consumers and have flow-on effects across the Australian business landscape, as inflation continues to affect Australian supermarkets.

The Australian senior living market, valued at $6.03 billion in 2025, is experiencing robust growth, projected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.17% from 2025 to 2033. This significant expansion is driven by several key factors. The aging Australian population, with a rising proportion of individuals aged 65 and over requiring assisted living arrangements, is a primary driver. Increased disposable incomes among older Australians and a growing preference for high-quality, amenity-rich retirement communities further fuel market demand. Government initiatives aimed at supporting aged care and improving access to senior living facilities also contribute to market growth. The market is segmented by property type (Assisted Living, Independent Living, Memory Care, Nursing Care) and location, with significant demand across major cities like Melbourne, Perth, and regional areas such as the Sunshine Coast and Hobart. Competition is intense, with established players like Aveo, RSL LifeCare, and Stockland vying for market share alongside smaller, specialized operators. The market's future trajectory is influenced by several trends. The increasing demand for specialized care, particularly for individuals with dementia or Alzheimer's disease, is driving growth in the memory care segment. Technological advancements, such as telehealth and smart home technology, are being integrated into senior living facilities to enhance resident care and independent living capabilities. Furthermore, a growing focus on sustainability and environmentally friendly practices within the industry is shaping future developments. While the market faces challenges, including rising construction costs and labor shortages, the overall outlook remains positive, driven by the long-term demographic trends and increasing demand for high-quality senior living options. The projected market size in 2033, extrapolated from the provided data, indicates a considerable expansion opportunity for both existing and new market entrants. This comprehensive report provides a detailed analysis of the booming Australian senior living market, encompassing the period from 2019 to 2033. With a focus on the estimated year 2025 and a forecast extending to 2033, this study offers invaluable insights for investors, operators, and stakeholders navigating this dynamic sector. We delve deep into market size, segmentation, trends, and future growth potential, considering key players like Aveo, RSL LifeCare, and Stockland, among others. This report utilizes data from the historical period (2019-2024) and establishes a robust base year of 2025. Recent developments include: August 2023: Aware Super has invested an undisclosed amount to acquire the remaining 30% it does not own in Oak Tree Retirement Villages. This senior housing platform owns 48 complexes along Australia's Eastern seaboard., February 2023: Lendlease 'Grove' extension will deliver 45 new two- and three-bedroom independent villas with internal garage access and private covered alfresco entertaining. The project will also include a separate 124-bed residential aged care facility delivered by Arcare Aged Care, offering a continuum of care in high demand in the Ngunnawal region.. Key drivers for this market are: 4., Aging Population4.; Increased Longevity. Potential restraints include: 4., Inadequate Staffing. Notable trends are: Increasing Senior Population and Life Expectancy driving the market.

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

The Crisis and Care Accommodation industry forms part of Australia's community welfare sector and provides services for some of the most economically vulnerable people in Australian society, including children, those with long-term disabilities and the elderly. Even before the COVID-19 pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis, a growing number of Australians were at increased risk of homelessness, with many experiencing financial hardship, persistent disadvantage and social exclusion. Stagnant wage growth in inflation-adjusted terms, heightened housing stress and associated incidences of family breakdown and family violence have boosted demand for crisis and care accommodation over the past few years. Given high inflation and rising rental costs, many of the industry’s clients have become increasingly vulnerable and their needs are also becoming more complex. Rising disability prevalence is creating additional challenges for residential care providers, with the Australian Bureau of Statistics finding that 5.5 million Australians had a disability in 2022 (latest data available). However, the ability to meet increased demand hasn't necessarily been matched by additional funding, constraining industry and profit growth. In light of these socio-economic variables and supply constraints, industry revenue growth is expected to be a modest 4.3% annualised over the five years through 2024-25 to $5.7 billion, including anticipated growth of 4.0% in the current year. Solid demand for residential care services will persist in the coming years, bolstered by a strong need for homelessness services as high rents and inflation exacerbate Australia’s housing crisis. An ageing population is set to continue driving demand for palliative care and respite services, while the existence of deep and persistent disadvantage among Australia’s most vulnerable population cohorts will continue to sustain demand for crisis and rehabilitation care. Government policies and associated regulatory reforms – including those stemming from the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability – will dictate the industry's operating environment. Industry growth rates will remain modest at 2.7% annualised through 2029-30, to reach $6.5 billion.

Australia Education Student Loans Market size was valued at USD 55.82 Billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 81.42 Billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 4.83% from 2026 to 2032.

​The Australian Education Student Loans Market is primarily driven by several key factors: a significant increase in the number of international students choosing Australia for higher education, attracted by its world-class institutions and quality of life; the rising cost of education, necessitating financial assistance for both domestic and international students; government initiatives aimed at reducing student debt burdens, such as the recent $3 billion HECS-HELP debt reduction and adjustments to repayment thresholds; and the availability of flexible loan repayment options, making higher education more accessible.

Online shopping has become a way of life. Once considered a novelty, much like the internet itself, the online shopping phenomenon has surpassed business and consumer expectations. It has evolved and expanded rapidly, with escalating internet and broadband uptake and changing consumer attitudes helping online shopping become a mainstream retail avenue. Greater investment in online platforms to advance website navigation, enhance security and improve delivery is fuelling a shift in consumer buying habits towards online shopping. The pandemic brought retail trading in Australia to a standstill, with lockdown periods and restrictions leading to a surge in online shopping sales. As consumers jumped online at breakneck speed, the online market was flooded with new entrants and businesses ramped up their digital sales capabilities to keep up with demand. Despite the hype and surge in sales, challenging trading conditions in the post-pandemic environment have eroded some of the earlier gains. Strong inflation and rising interest rates have combined to create a cost-of-living crisis, with consumers reassessing their online spending habits in the face of tightening purse strings. Nonetheless, revenue is anticipated to have grown at an annualised 7.4% over the five years through 2024-25 and is expected to total $58.0 billion in the current year, when revenue is set to climb by an estimated 5.2%. Going forwards, online shopping revenue is forecast to climb at an annualised 6.5% through the end of 2029-30 to total a projected $79.4 billion, aided by continued consumer demand. Greater digital connectivity will allow consumers to shop anywhere and anytime, with advances in augmented reality opening new doors for online retailers. Strong revenue prospects will entice more bricks-and-mortar retailers to launch online stores to complement their physical store network, while many online retailers will open shopfronts and flagship stores, blurring the lines between the two. Escalating competition, particularly from international low-cost retailers like Temu and Shein, will limit growth in profitability.

Shifting social trends have significantly influenced the Restaurants industry's performance over recent years. Consumers' busy lifestyles and high workloads have bolstered demand for restaurant meals and takeaway. Restaurants allow consumers to combine dining with leisure and avoid spending time on food preparation. Rising demand for food delivery platforms like Uber Eats has also supported industry revenue, allowing time-poor consumers to purchase home-delivered, restaurant-quality food. A fall in discretionary incomes and recent cost-of-living pressures have restricted patronage for restaurants, as consumers have become more concerned about the costs of dining out. Industry businesses are also finding it extremely difficult to deal with elevated operational costs, including high input, wage and energy expenses. Labour shortages have also been extreme in the industry, with restaurants facing major retention gaps. These factors, along with intense competitive pressures, have curbed the industry’s profitability growth and forced businesses to exit the industry over the two years through 2024-25. Nonetheless, the total number of enterprises in the industry has increased over the past five years as dynamic consumer preferences have created several niches for restaurants to cater to. Overall, industry revenue is anticipated to have soared at an annualised 6.6% over the five years through 2024-25 to $24.1 billion. This includes an expected 2.2% dip in 2024-25. Looking ahead, improving consumer confidence and expanding discretionary incomes are set to support industry revenue. Reeling from the economic challenges of the previous five-year period, restaurants are anticipated to diversify their revenue streams by expanding their service offerings to include merchandise and live events. Restaurants are forecast to focus on improving operational efficiencies to limit costs and boost profitability. There will also be a focus on sustainability efforts as Australian consumers become more discerning about their environmental choices. Overall, industry revenue is projected to climb an annualised 1.0% over the five years through 2029-30 to total $25.5 billion.

In Dec 2023, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) in Adelaide, Australia was 137.1, recording a change of 6.3 percent on the 2022 December quarter, an increase higher than any other capital city in the country. The CPI measures household inflation and has risen steadily across the country since 2019.

Consumer Price Index CPI in Australia increased to 140.70 points in the first quarter of 2025 from 139.40 points in the fourth quarter of 2024. This dataset provides - Australia Consumer Price Index (CPI) - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Student Micro-Apartment Market Outlook

According to our latest research, the global student micro-apartment market size reached USD 9.2 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow at a robust CAGR of 8.4% from 2025 to 2033, attaining a forecasted market value of USD 18.8 billion by 2033. This significant growth is primarily driven by the increasing demand for affordable, flexible, and well-located student housing solutions in urban centers worldwide, as higher education enrollment continues to surge and urbanization intensifies.

One of the primary growth factors propelling the student micro-apartment market is the ongoing surge in global student mobility. As more students pursue higher education abroad, particularly in countries like the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada, the demand for compact, cost-effective, and conveniently located accommodation near educational institutions has soared. These micro-apartments offer students a blend of privacy, affordability, and community living, making them an attractive alternative to traditional dormitories and private rentals. Additionally, the rising costs of urban real estate have made large-scale student housing projects less viable, pushing developers to focus on micro-apartments that maximize space efficiency while minimizing rental costs.

Another key driver is the evolving lifestyle preferences of Generation Z and Millennial students, who prioritize sustainability, flexibility, and connectivity in their living arrangements. Student micro-apartments are designed to cater to these preferences by incorporating smart technology, energy-efficient appliances, and communal amenities such as study lounges, gyms, and social spaces. The modular nature of many micro-apartment projects enables rapid construction, scalability, and adaptability to changing student needs, further fueling market growth. Moreover, universities and private developers are increasingly partnering to offer purpose-built student accommodations (PBSA), integrating micro-apartments into campus master plans to enhance student satisfaction and retention.

The market is also benefiting from the expansion of higher education institutions into secondary and tertiary cities, especially in emerging economies across Asia Pacific and Latin America. These regions are witnessing a boom in university enrollments, driven by favorable demographic trends and government initiatives to improve access to education. As a result, there is a heightened need for affordable student housing options that can be quickly deployed and managed efficiently. The growing acceptance of alternative rental models, such as co-living and shared micro-apartments, is further diversifying the market landscape, attracting investment from real estate funds, institutional investors, and proptech startups.

Regionally, Europe and North America remain the largest markets for student micro-apartments, accounting for a combined share of over 60% of global revenues in 2024. However, the Asia Pacific region is emerging as the fastest-growing market, with a projected CAGR of over 10% during the forecast period. Countries like China, India, and Australia are experiencing unprecedented growth in international student inflows and domestic university enrollments, driving robust demand for modern, affordable student housing solutions. Meanwhile, Middle East & Africa and Latin America are gradually catching up, supported by urbanization, rising middle-class incomes, and strategic investments in educational infrastructure.

Apartment Type Analysis

The student micro-apartment market is segmented by apartment type into studio, loft, shared, modular, and others, each catering to distinct student preferences and budget considerations. Studio apartments remain the most popular choice, offering a self-contained living space that combines bedroom, kitchenette, and bathroom facilities in a compact footprint. This format appeals to studen

In an April 2024 conducted survey regarding Australian shopper perceptions of cost of living, almost ** percent of respondents indicated that they felt grocery and related products were more expensive than in the previous year.