MAIN CONTRIBUTORS TO CHANGE
PENSIONER AND BENEFICIARY HOUSEHOLDS (+0.3%)
The pensioner and beneficiary living cost index (PBLCI) rose 0.3% in the March quarter 2019. The main contributors to the rise are Health (+5.5%), driven by pharmaceutical products and medical and hospital services, and Food and non-alcoholic beverages (+1.5%), driven by vegetables. The rise in pharmaceutical products and medical and hospital services is mainly due to the cyclical reduction in the proportion of consumers who qualify for subsidies under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) and Medicare Benefits Scheme (MBS). The safety net threshold amount for both the PBS and MBS are reset on 1 January each year.
Transport (-2.7%) contributed the most significant partial offset this quarter, driven by automotive fuel. The fall in automotive fuel is due to falls in world oil prices flowing through to consumers.
The living cost index (LCI) for PBLCI recorded a rise compared to a zero movement in the CPI (0.0%) this quarter.
Over the twelve months to the March quarter 2019 the PBLCI rose 1.6% while the CPI rose 1.3%.
EMPLOYEE HOUSEHOLDS (0.0%)
The LCI for employee households was flat in the March quarter 2019. The main positive contributor is Food and non-alcoholic beverages (+1.3%), as drought and adverse weather conditions continue to reduce the supply of a selection of fruits and vegetables. Education (+2.9%) was the next largest positive contributor following fee increases with the commencement of the new school year.
The main negative contributor is Transport (-2.0%), driven by automotive fuel. The fall in automotive fuel is due to falls in world oil prices flowing through to consumers. Recreation and culture (-1.5%) fell driven by domestic holiday travel and accommodation.
The LCI for employee households recorded the same zero movement as the CPI (0.0%) this quarter.
Over the twelve months to the March quarter 2019 the LCI for employee households rose 1.4% while the CPI rose 1.3%.
AGE PENSIONER HOUSEHOLDS (+0.3%)
The LCI for age pensioner households rose 0.3% in the March quarter 2019. The main contributors to the rise are Health (+5.0%), driven by pharmaceutical products and medical and hospital services, and Food and non-alcoholic beverages (+1.5%), driven by vegetables..
Transport (-2.5%) contributed the most significant partial offset this quarter, driven by automotive fuel. The fall in automotive fuel is due to falls in world oil prices flowing through to consumers.
The LCI for age pensioner households recorded a rise compared to a zero movement in the CPI (0.0%) this quarter.
Over the twelve months to the March quarter 2019 the LCI for age pensioner households rose 1.4% while the CPI rose 1.3%.
OTHER GOVERNMENT TRANSFER RECIPIENT HOUSEHOLDS (+0.2%)
The LCI for other government transfer recipient households rose 0.2% in the March quarter 2019. The main contributor to the rise is Food and non-alcoholic beverages (+1.5%), as drought and adverse weather conditions continue to reduce the supply of a selection of fruits and vegetables. Health (+6.6%) was the next largest contributor, driven by pharmaceutical products and medical and hospital services.
Transport (-2.9%) contributed the most significant partial offset this quarter, driven by automotive fuel. The fall in automotive fuel is due to falls in world oil prices flowing through to consumers.
The LCI for other government transfer recipient households recorded a rise compared to a zero movement in the CPI (0.0%) this quarter.
Over the twelve months to the March quarter 2019 the LCI for other government transfer recipient households rose 1.6% while the CPI rose 1.3%.
SELF–FUNDED RETIREE HOUSEHOLDS (-0.2%)
The LCI for self-funded retiree households fell 0.2% in the March quarter 2019. The main contributor to the fall is Recreation and culture (-1.8%), driven by domestic and international holiday, travel and accommodation. Transport (-1.7%) also contributed to the fall, driven by automotive fuel. The fall in automotive fuel is due to falls in world oil prices flowing through to consumers.
Health (+2.2%) and Food and non-alcoholic beverages (+1.4%) were the most significant positive contributors this quarter.
The LCI for self–funded retiree households recorded a fall compared to a zero movement in the CPI (0.0%) this quarter.
Over the twelve months to the March quarter 2019 the LCI for self–funded retiree households rose 1.6% while the CPI rose 1.3%.
Percentage change, Commodity group - December Quarter 2018 to March Quarter 2019 |
|
 | Pensioner and beneficiary LCI | Employee LCI | Age pensioner LCI | Other government transfer recipient LCI | Self-funded retiree LCI | Consumer Price Index (CPI) |
| Weighted average of eight capital cities | | | | | | % |
|
| Food and non-alcoholic beverages | 1.5 | 1.3 | 1.5 | 1.5 | 1.4 | 1.3 |
| Alcohol and tobacco | 0.0 | 0.3 | 0.3 | -0.1 | 0.4 | 0.3 |
| Clothing and footwear | -1.4 | -1.4 | -1.4 | -1.4 | -1.5 | -1.4 |
| Housing(a) | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 0.0 |
| Furnishings, household equipment and services | -0.5 | -0.3 | -0.6 | -0.3 | -0.6 | -0.4 |
| Health | 5.5 | 1.5 | 5.0 | 6.6 | 2.2 | 1.9 |
| Transport | -2.7 | -2.0 | -2.5 | -2.9 | -1.7 | -1.7 |
| Communication | -0.5 | -0.6 | -0.5 | -0.6 | -0.5 | -0.6 |
| Recreation and culture | -1.2 | -1.5 | -1.4 | -1.0 | -1.8 | -1.5 |
| Education | 2.9 | 2.9 | 1.7 | 2.9 | 3.4 | 2.7 |
| Insurance and financial services(b) | -0.1 | 0.0 | -0.3 | 0.0 | -0.3 | -0.2 |
| All groups | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.3 | 0.2 | -0.2 | 0.0 |
|
| (a) New dwelling purchase by owner-occupiers are included in the CPI but excluded from the Selected Living Cost Indexes. |
| (b) The Selected Living Cost Indexes includes interest charges and general insurance. Interest charges are excluded from the CPI and general insurance is calculated on a different basis. |
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