MAIN CONTRIBUTORS TO CHANGE


CPI GROUPS

The discussion of the CPI groups below is ordered in terms of their absolute significance to the change in All groups index points for the quarter (see Tables 6 and 7).

HOUSING GROUP (+0.6%)

The housing group rose in the June quarter 2013. The main contributors to the rise were new dwelling purchase by owner–occupiers (+0.9%) and rents (+1.1%). The rise was partially offset by a fall in electricity (–0.7%) due to the seasonal switch to off–peak pricing in Adelaide.

Over the twelve months to the June quarter 2013, the housing group rose 5.3%. The main contributors to the rise were electricity (+17.2%), new dwelling purchase by owner–occupiers (+3.6%) and rents (+3.4%).


HEALTH GROUP (+1.9%)

The health group rose in the June quarter 2013. The main contributor to the rise was medical and hospital services (+3.4%), which rose mainly as a result of the increases in private health fund premiums effective from 1 April 2013. The rise was partially offset by a fall in pharmaceutical products (–1.7%) due to a greater proportion of consumers exceeding the Pharmaceutical Benefit Scheme (PBS) safety net compared to the March quarter 2013.

Over the twelve months to the June quarter 2013, the health group rose 6.6%, mainly due to a rise in medical and hospital services (+9.9%).


CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR GROUP (+2.7%)

The clothing and footwear group rose in the June quarter 2013. The main contributors to the rise were garments for men (+7.1%) and garments for infants and children (+6.0%).

Over the twelve months to the June quarter 2013, the clothing and footwear group fell 0.3%. The main contributor to the fall was garments for women (–3.1%). This fall was partially offset by a rise in garments for men (+5.2%).


ALCOHOL AND TOBACCO GROUP (+1.3%)

The alcohol and tobacco group rose in the June quarter 2013. The main contributor to the rise was tobacco (+3.0%), partially due to the flow–on effects of the federal excise tax increase from 1 February 2013.

Over the twelve months to the June quarter 2013, the alcohol and tobacco group rose 4.0%. The main contributor to the rise was tobacco (+9.0%).


TRANSPORT GROUP (–0.9%)

The transport group fell in the June quarter 2013. The main contributor to the fall was automotive fuel (–3.1%).

The average monthly price of automotive fuel rose in February (+4.2%), fell in March (–0.9%), April (–4.7%) and May (–1.1%), and rose in June (+5.0%).

The following graph illustrates the movement of the average daily prices for unleaded petrol for the weighted average of eight capital cities over the last fifteen months.

Over the twelve months to the June quarter 2013, the transport group fell 0.5%. The main contributors to the fall were motor vehicles (–3.4%) and automotive fuel (–3.3%). The fall was partially offset by a rise in maintenance and repair of motor vehicles (+4.6%).


RECREATION AND CULTURE GROUP (–0.8%)

The recreation and culture group fell in the June quarter 2013. The main contributors to the fall were domestic holiday travel and accommodation (–4.0%) and audio, visual and computing equipment (–1.9%).

In the CPI, airfares are collected in advance (at the time of payment), but are only used in the CPI in the quarter in which the trip is undertaken. International airfares are collected two months in advance (April for travel in June) and domestic airfares are collected one month in advance (April for travel in May).

Over the twelve months to the June quarter 2013, the recreation and culture group fell 0.1%. The main contributor to the fall was audio, visual and computing equipment (–11.8%). The fall was partially offset by rises in other recreational, sporting and cultural services (+4.6%), sports participation (+4.8%) and domestic holiday travel and accommodation (+1.8%).


FURNISHINGS, HOUSEHOLD EQUIPMENT AND SERVICES GROUP (+1.0%)

The furnishings, household equipment and services group rose in the June quarter 2013. The main contributor to the rise was furniture (+4.8%).

Over the twelve months to the June quarter 2013, the furnishings, household equipment and services group rose 0.1%. The main contributor to the rise was child care (+7.4%), partially offset by a fall in furniture (–2.1%).


COMMUNICATION GROUP (+0.4%)

The communication group rose in the June quarter 2013, mainly due to a rise in telecommunication equipment and services (+0.4%).

Over the twelve months to the June quarter 2013, the communication group rose 2.2%. The main contributor to the rise was telecommunication equipment and services (+2.2%).


INSURANCE AND FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP (+0.3%)

The insurance and financial services group rose in the June quarter 2013. The main contributor to the rise was other financial services (+0.5%).

Over the twelve months to the June quarter 2013, the insurance and financial services group rose 2.7%. The main contributor to the rise was insurance (+7.5%).


FOOD AND NON–ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES GROUP (+0.1%)

The food and non–alcoholic beverages group rose in the June quarter 2013. The main contributor to the rise was vegetables (+3.3%), which rose mainly due to unfavourable growing conditions. The rise was partially offset by a fall in fruit (–3.4%).

Over the twelve months to the June quarter 2013, the food and non–alcoholic beverages group rose 1.1%. The main contributor to the rise was take away and fast foods (+2.3%). The rise was partially offset by a fall in lamb and goat (–12.4%).


EDUCATION GROUP (–0.1%)

The education group fell in the June quarter 2013. The main contributor to the fall was preschool and primary education (–0.8%).

Over the twelve months to the June quarter 2013, the education group rose 5.7%.


INTERNATIONAL TRADE EXPOSURE – TRADABLES AND NON–TRADABLES

The tradables component (see Table 8) of the All Groups CPI rose 0.3% in the June quarter 2013. Prices for the goods and services in this component are largely determined on the world market. The tradables component represents approximately 40% of the weight of the CPI. The most significant contributors to the 0.3% rise in the tradable goods component were tobacco, furniture, garments for men and vegetables. The most significant offsetting falls in the tradable goods component were for automotive fuel, fruit and pharmaceutical products. The rise in the tradable services component of 0.5% was driven by international holiday travel and accommodation.

The non–tradables component of the All Groups CPI rose 0.5% in the June quarter 2013. Prices for the goods and services in this component are largely determined by domestic price pressures. The non–tradables component represents approximately 60% of the weight of the CPI. The non–tradable goods component rose 0.5%, mainly due to new dwelling purchase by owner–occupiers and beer. The most significant offsetting fall was for electricity. The non–tradable services component rose 0.4%, mainly due to increases in medical and hospital services, rents and other financial services. The most significant offsetting fall was recorded for domestic holiday travel and accommodation.

Over the twelve months to the June quarter 2013, the tradables component fell 0.7% while the non–tradables component rose 4.3%. This compares to a fall of 0.2% and a rise of 4.2% respectively through the year to the March quarter 2013.

A detailed description of which expenditure classes are classified as tradable and non–tradable in the 16th series is shown in Appendix 1 of the September quarter 2011 issue of Consumer Price Index, Australia (cat. no 6401.0).


SEASONALLY ADJUSTED ANALYTICAL SERIES

In the June quarter 2013, the All groups CPI, seasonally adjusted rose 0.5%, compared to the unadjusted All groups CPI which recorded a rise of 0.4%.

The trimmed mean rose 0.5% in the June quarter 2013, compared to a revised rise of 0.4% in the March quarter 2013. Over the twelve months to the June quarter 2013, the trimmed mean rose 2.2% compared to a revised rise of 2.3% over the twelve months to the March quarter 2013.

The weighted median rose 0.6% in the June quarter 2013, compared to a rise of 0.5% in the March quarter 2013. Over the twelve months to the June quarter 2013, the weighted median rose 2.6% compared to a revised rise of 2.5% over the twelve months to the March quarter 2013.

A detailed explanation of the seasonal adjustment of the All Groups CPI is available in Information Paper: Seasonal Adjustment of Consumer Price Indexes, 2011 (cat. no. 6401.0.55.003) available on the ABS website. This paper includes a description of the seasonal adjustment method applied, the trimmed mean and weighted median.

Revisions to the seasonally adjusted estimates can be the result of the application of concurrent seasonal adjustment, described in paragraph 15 of the Explanatory Notes.