An article was published on 12 October 2021 explaining the impact of lockdowns on the September 2021 quarter: Update to measuring the CPI in the September 2021 quarter.
This quarter's release includes the following article:
Frequently asked questions (FAQs) about the measurement of housing in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and Selected Living Cost Indexes (SLCIs)
Consumer Price Index, Australia
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The Consumer Price Index (CPI) measures household inflation and includes statistics about price change for categories of household expenditure
Reference period
September 2021
Released
27/10/2021
Key statistics
- The Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 0.8% this quarter.
- Over the twelve months to the September 2021 quarter, the CPI rose 3.0%.
- The most significant price rise were for New dwelling purchase by owner-occupiers (+3.3%) and Automotive fuel (+7.1%).
What's new this quarter
Main features
| Jun Qtr 2021 to Sep Qtr 2021 | Sep Qtr 2020 to Sep Qtr 2021 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| % change | % change | ||
| All groups CPI | 0.8 | 3.0 | |
| Food and non-alcoholic beverages | 0.3 | 1.3 | |
| Alcohol and tobacco | -0.5 | 4.4 | |
| Clothing and footwear | -3.8 | -3.9 | |
| Housing | 1.7 | 1.6 | |
| Furnishings, household equipment and services | 1.6 | 6.0 | |
| Health | 0.0 | 4.9 | |
| Transport | 3.2 | 10.4 | |
| Communication | -0.5 | -1.0 | |
| Recreation and culture | 0.9 | 2.3 | |
| Education | 0.1 | 1.7 | |
| Insurance and financial services | 0.6 | 1.1 | |
| CPI analytical series | |||
| All groups CPI, seasonally adjusted | 0.8 | 3.0 | |
| Trimmed mean | 0.7 | 2.1 | |
| Weighted median | 0.7 | 2.1 | |
Overview
Trimmed mean inflation highest in over five years
Annual CPI inflation was 3.0 per cent in the September quarter, with the unwinding of free childcare in 2020 continuing to have an effect. The September quarter saw Trimmed mean inflation increase from 1.6 per cent to 2.1 per cent. The Trimmed mean and Weighted median are measures of underlying inflation which exclude large, one-off price impacts such as free childcare. Both measures recorded their first annual movements above 2 per cent since the September 2015 quarter.
Rising construction costs drive new dwelling prices
High levels of building construction activity combined with shortages of materials and supply disruptions have contributed to the largest rise in new dwelling prices since September 2000 when the GST was introduced. Government housing construction grants had a smaller impact on new dwelling prices this quarter due to fewer grant payments compared to last quarter.
Automotive fuel prices at record levels
The Automotive fuel series reached a record level in the September 2021 quarter, due to higher global oil prices amid economic recovery and supply disruptions. The national average quarterly price for unleaded petrol, which is the highest weighted fuel type within the series, neared the record high seen in the March 2014 quarter. The maximum average daily unleaded petrol price for Australia reached a record high of $1.65 per litre during the September 2021 quarter.
Durable goods in demand as price pressures rise amid supply disruptions
Strong demand and supply disruptions have put upward pressure on prices for durable goods such as furniture and motor vehicles since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Two speed rental market continues across capital cities
Rents for Sydney and Melbourne fell again in the September quarter. This is the third consecutive quarterly fall for Sydney, and the second consecutive quarterly fall for Melbourne. Rents across the other capital cities continue to rise, reflecting low vacancy rates in those cities.
Main contributors to change
CPI groups
Food and non-alcoholic beverages group (+0.3%)
Restaurant meals (+1.6%) and Takeaway and fast foods (+1.3%) both rose primarily due to reduced uptake of the NSW 'Dine & Discover' and City of Melbourne 'Melbourne Money' voucher schemes compared to the June 2021 quarter. These vouchers reduced the out-of-pocket costs for consumers, hence fewer vouchers being redeemed resulted in a price rise in the September quarter.
Fruit (-8.3%) partially offset the rise, due to favourable growing conditions for berries, citrus and avocados. Reduced demand for produce from the food service industry during lockdowns also resulted in increased supply and lower prices for households.
In seasonally adjusted terms, the group rose 0.5%. The main contributors were Restaurant meals (+1.6%) and Takeaway and fast foods (+1.3%).
Over the past twelve months, the group rose 1.3%. The main contributors were Restaurant meals (+2.8%), Takeaway and fast foods (+2.1%) and Beef and veal (+10.9%).
Alcohol and tobacco group (-0.5%)
- Tobacco (-0.9%) and Alcohol (-0.3%) both fell. This was the first September quarter since 2013 without a 12.5% increase in the tobacco excise.
In seasonally adjusted terms, the group fell (-1.4%). The main contributor was Tobacco (-2.4%).
Over the past twelve months, the group rose 4.4%. The main contributor was Tobacco (+9.8%).
Clothing and footwear group (-3.8%)
- Garments fell 5.5% as retailers looked to move excess winter stock resulting from low demand during lockdowns in some capital cities.
In seasonally adjusted terms, the group fell 3.5%. The main contributor was Garments (-5.0%).
Over the past twelve months, the group fell 3.9%. The main contributor was Garments for women (-10.4%).
Housing group (+1.7%)
New dwelling purchase by owner-occupiers rose 3.3%. This is the largest rise since the September 2000 quarter driven by substantial increases in base prices in all capital cities. Continuing strong demand for housing construction enabled builders to pass through increases in costs for both materials and labour. Government housing construction grants had a smaller impact on new dwelling prices this quarter due to fewer grant payments compared to last quarter.
The following graph shows the new dwellings series including and excluding government housing construction grants.
June 2020 = 100.0
- Property rates rose 3.3%, which is the largest rise since 2016. Many councils increased rates after implementing smaller rises, rebates or rate freezes last year.
- Rents rose 0.2% with subdued rental conditions in Sydney and Melbourne offsetting the continued strength in the other capital cities.
In seasonally adjusted terms, the group rose 1.4%.
Over the past twelve months the group rose 1.6%. The main contributor to the rise was New Dwelling purchase by owner-occupiers (+3.8%).
Furnishings, household equipment and services group (+1.6%)
This group includes household goods and furnishings and services provided to households, including childcare.
Furniture (+3.8%) prices rose due to supply shortages and elevated demand from households.
Childcare (+2.1%) rose as higher fees increased out-of-pocket expenses for households.
In seasonally adjusted terms the group rose 0.8%. The main contributors were Childcare (+1.4%) and Furniture (+1.4%).
Over the past twelve months the group rose 6.0%. The main contributor was Childcare due to the unwinding of free childcare introduced last year. Excluding the impact of Childcare, the group would have risen 1.3% over the past twelve months.
Health group (0.0%)
Medical and hospital services (+0.5%) rose due to the indexation of Medicare Benefit Schedule fees applied from July 2021. There were also general price rises for both hospital and out of hospital services, such as GPs and allied health services.
Pharmaceutical products offset the rise (-1.8%), due to an increase in the proportion of consumers who qualify for subsidies under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).
In seasonally adjusted terms the group rose 1.0%. Medical and hospital services (+1.5%) was the main contributor.
Over the past twelve months the group rose 4.9%. Medical and hospital services (+7.1%) was the main contributor due to increases in Private Health Insurance premiums.
Transport group (+3.2%)
Automotive fuel rose 7.1% due to an increase in global oil prices. The Automotive fuel series reached record levels, surpassing the previous high set in the March 2014 quarter.
Motor vehicles rose 1.4% due to continued strength in demand combined with supply constraints such as the global semi-conductor shortage, COVID-related factory closures and shipping costs.
In seasonally adjusted terms, the group rose (+2.9%). The main contributor was Automotive fuel (+7.1%).
Over the past twelve months the group rose 10.4%. Automotive fuel (+24.6%) and Motor vehicles (+6.2%) were the main contributors.
Communication group (-0.5%)
- Telecommunication equipment and services fell 0.7%.
The group is not seasonally adjusted.
Over the past twelve months the group fell 1.0%.
Recreation and culture group (+0.9%)
- Audio, visual and computing equipment rose 1.8%. Prices increased for goods such as TVs and computers as supply disruptions, due in part to the global semi-conductor chip shortage, were combined with elevated demand from households.
In seasonally adjusted terms, the group rose 0.6%. Audio, visual and computing equipment (+0.8%) was the main contributor.
Over the past twelve months the group rose 2.3%. Domestic holiday travel and accommodation (+3.8%) was the main contributor.
Education group (+0.1%)
- Preschool and primary education (+0.3%) was the main contributor to the rise.
In seasonally adjusted terms, the group rose 0.6% this quarter.
Over the past twelve months, the group rose 1.7%.
Insurance and financial services group (+0.6%)
- Other financial services (+0.7%) was the main contributor to the rise.
In seasonally adjusted terms, the group rose 0.4%.
Over the past twelve months the group rose 1.1%.
International trade exposure - tradable and non-tradables
The tradables and non-tradables series measure the contribution of goods and services that are highly exposed to international trade influences (tradables), and those that are mostly influenced by domestic factors (non-tradables), to overall household inflation. Examples of tradables include automotive fuel, most food items, and clothing and footwear. Examples of non-tradables include housing and education.
Tradables (+0.8% quarter, +3.1% annual)
- Tradable goods component rose 0.8% due to Automotive fuel (+7.1%)
- Tradable services component fell 1.6%.
Non-tradables (+0.9% quarter, +3.2% annual)
- Non-tradable goods component rose 1.1% due to New dwelling purchase by owner occupiers (+3.3%).
- Non-tradable services component rose 0.7% due to Restaurant meals (+1.6%).
In seasonally adjusted terms, the tradables component of the All groups CPI rose 0.7% and the non-tradables component rose 0.7%.
Underlying inflation series
The Trimmed mean and the Weighted median provide measures of underlying inflation. These measures reduce the impact of irregular or temporary price changes in the CPI. For more information see Underlying Inflation Measures: Explaining the Trimmed Mean and Weighted Median.
In the September 2021 quarter:
The Trimmed mean rose 0.7%, following a rise of 0.5% in the June 2021 quarter.
Over the past twelve months to the September 2021 quarter, the Trimmed mean rose 2.1%, following a rise of 1.6% over the twelve months to the June 2021 quarter.
The Weighted median rose 0.7% following a rise of 0.5% in the June 2021 quarter.
Over the past twelve months, the Weighted median rose 2.1%, following a rise of 1.6% over the twelve months to the June 2021 quarter.
Seasonally adjusted analytical series
Seasonal adjustment is the process by which regular, calendar related effects are removed from the original series.
- All groups CPI seasonally adjusted rose 0.8% for the quarter and 3.0% for the year.
| Original (%) | Seasonally Adjusted (%) | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| All groups CPI | 0.8 | 0.8 | |
| Food and non-alcoholic beverages | 0.3 | 0.5 | |
| Alcohol and tobacco | -0.5 | -1.4 | |
| Clothing and footwear | -3.8 | -3.5 | |
| Housing | 1.7 | 1.4 | |
| Furnishings, household equipment and services | 1.6 | 0.8 | |
| Health | 0.0 | 1.0 | |
| Transport | 3.2 | 2.9 | |
| Communication(a) | -0.5 | ||
| Recreation and culture | 0.9 | 0.6 | |
| Education | 0.1 | 0.6 | |
| Insurance and financial services | 0.6 | 0.4 | |
| International trade exposure series | |||
| Tradables | 0.8 | 0.7 | |
| Non-tradables | 0.9 | 0.7 | |
a. Not seasonally adjusted
A detailed explanation of the seasonal adjustment of the All Groups CPI and calculation of the trimmed mean and weighted median measures is available in Information Paper: Seasonal Adjustment of Consumer Price Indexes, 2011 (cat. no. 6401.0.55.003). Revisions to the seasonally adjusted estimates can be the result of the application of concurrent seasonal adjustment, described on the methodology page.
Capital cities comparison
All groups CPI
| Index number(a) | Percentage change | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep Qtr 2021 | Jun Qtr 2021 to Sep Qtr 2021 | Sep Qtr 2020 to Sep Qtr 2021 | |
| Sydney | 120.2 | 0.7 | 2.9 |
| Melbourne | 120.1 | 0.8 | 2.9 |
| Brisbane | 120.7 | 1.3 | 3.9 |
| Adelaide | 118.6 | 0.7 | 2.5 |
| Perth | 117.7 | 0.8 | 3.2 |
| Hobart | 120.2 | 0.3 | 3.0 |
| Darwin | 117.3 | 1.5 | 5.9 |
| Canberra | 119.7 | 1.3 | 3.7 |
| Weighted average of eight capital cities | 119.7 | 0.8 | 3.0 |
a. Index reference period: 2011-12 = 100.0.
In all capital cities:
Automotive fuel increased with the CPI series reaching record levels in Sydney and Melbourne and near record levels in Brisbane. The movements this quarter ranged from +6.3% in Hobart to +8.3% in Canberra.
New dwelling purchase by owner-occupiers rose in all capital cities except Perth, due to strong demand allowing builders to pass through increases in materials and labour costs.
Furniture rose due to supply shortages and elevated demand.
Property rates and charges rose due to council rate rises following lower than usual increases in 2020.
Fruit fell due to price falls in berries, citrus and avocados as plentiful supply led to lower prices for households.
Capital city highlights:
At the All groups level, the CPI rose in all eight capital cities, ranging from 0.3% in Hobart to 1.5% in Darwin. The differences across the capital cities at the All groups level were mainly due to the Housing group.
Sydney (+0.7%)
New dwelling purchase by owner occupiers (+2.8%).
Automotive fuel (+6.9%).
Restaurant meals (+2.5%) and Takeaway and fast foods (+2.3%) both rose due to reduced uptake of the NSW 'Dine & Discover' vouchers compared to the previous quarter.
Rents (-0.5%) fell due to subdued demand reflected in high vacancy rates, particularly for attached dwellings.
Sydney recorded an annual rise of 2.9%.
Melbourne (+0.8%)
- New dwelling purchase by owner occupiers (+3.6%).
- Automotive fuel (+7.4%).
- Property rates and charges (+3.4%).
- Rents (-0.3%) fell due to subdued demand reflected in high vacancy rates, particularly for attached dwellings.
Melbourne recorded an annual rise of 2.9%.
Brisbane (+1.3%)
New dwelling purchase by owner occupiers (+7.9%). This is the largest rise of all capital cities this quarter, due to larger base price increases and the removal of some promotional offers.
Automotive fuel (+7.1%).
Rents (+1.0%).
Brisbane recorded an annual rise of 3.9%.
Adelaide (+0.7%)
New dwelling purchase by owner occupiers (+4.5%).
Automotive fuel (+7.1%).
Furniture (+5.1%)
Adelaide recorded an annual rise of 2.5%.
Perth (+0.8%)
Electricity (+13.4%) rose due to the end of the Western Australian Government's $600 household electricity credit payments.
Automotive fuel (+6.8%).
Rents (+2.8%) rose due to strong demand reflected in low vacancy rates.
New dwelling purchase (-2.3%) fell due to base price rises being offset by additional promotional offers and an increase in government housing construction grant payments.
Perth recorded an annual rise of 3.2%.
Hobart (+0.3%)
Hobart recorded the smallest rise of all capital cities.
- New dwelling purchase by owner occupiers (+4.6%).
- Automotive fuel (+6.3%).
- Rents (+1.8%) rose due to continued strong levels of demand reflected in low vacancy rates.
- Electricity (-20.8%) fell due to the annual price review and the introduction of the $125 winter energy bill supplement for concession customers.
Hobart recorded an annual rise of 3.0%.
Darwin (+1.5%)
Darwin recorded the largest rise of all capital cities.
- New dwelling purchase by owner occupiers (+7.8%).
- Other financial services (+13.0%) rose due to the end of the Territory homeowner discount (THOD) on stamp duty paid.
- Automotive fuel (+8.0%).
- Rents (+2.8%) due to continued strong levels of demand.
Darwin recorded an annual rise of 5.9%.
Canberra (+1.3%)
New dwelling purchase by owner occupiers (+4.1%).
Automotive fuel (+8.3%).
Electricity (+11.2%) rose due to the annual price review.
Property rates and charges (+10.1%) rose due to annual indexation and the transition to removing stamp duty charges.
Canberra recorded an annual rise of 3.7%.
| Group | Sydney | Melbourne | Brisbane | Adelaide | Perth | Hobart | Darwin | Canberra | Weighted average of eight capital cities |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All groups | 0.7 | 0.8 | 1.3 | 0.7 | 0.8 | 0.3 | 1.5 | 1.3 | 0.8 |
| Food & non-alcoholic beverages | 0.7 | 0.3 | -0.3 | 0.3 | -0.1 | -0.2 | 0.0 | -0.3 | 0.3 |
| Alcohol & tobacco | -0.8 | -0.3 | -0.9 | -0.4 | -0.2 | 0.0 | -0.4 | -0.5 | -0.5 |
| Clothing & footwear | -4.2 | -3.7 | -3.2 | -4.7 | -3.5 | -5.0 | -2.2 | -3.2 | -3.8 |
| Housing | 1.1 | 1.5 | 3.8 | 0.9 | 1.6 | -0.2 | 3.5 | 3.5 | 1.7 |
| Furnishings, household equipment and services | 1.6 | 1.4 | 1.8 | 1.8 | 1.6 | 0.8 | 0.9 | 1.7 | 1.6 |
| Health | 0.1 | 0.0 | -0.2 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.1 | -0.1 | 0.8 | 0.0 |
| Transport | 2.8 | 3.3 | 3.1 | 3.4 | 3.2 | 3.1 | 3.6 | 3.5 | 3.2 |
| Communication | -0.5 | -0.7 | -0.7 | -0.5 | -0.5 | -0.5 | -0.7 | -0.6 | -0.5 |
| Recreation & culture | 0.8 | 0.7 | 1.3 | 1.3 | 0.9 | 1.6 | 0.2 | 1.1 | 0.9 |
| Education | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.1 |
| Insurance & financial services | 0.6 | 0.4 | 0.8 | 0.7 | 0.1 | 1.0 | 7.9 | -1.1 | 0.6 |
Selected tables - capital cities
All groups CPI, index numbers(a)
| Period | Sydney | Melbourne | Brisbane | Adelaide | Perth | Hobart | Darwin | Canberra | Weighted average of eight capital cities |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 September | 120.2 | 120.1 | 120.7 | 118.6 | 117.7 | 120.2 | 117.3 | 119.7 | 119.7 |
| 2021 June | 119.4 | 119.1 | 119.2 | 117.8 | 116.8 | 119.8 | 115.6 | 118.2 | 118.8 |
| 2021 March | 118.5 | 118.8 | 118.2 | 117.2 | 114.6 | 118.5 | 114.4 | 117.3 | 117.9 |
| 2020 December | 118.0 | 118.4 | 117.5 | 116.5 | 113.0 | 117.6 | 111.5 | 116.3 | 117.2 |
| 2020 September | 116.8 | 116.7 | 116.2 | 115.7 | 114.1 | 116.7 | 110.8 | 115.4 | 116.2 |
| 2020 June | 114.7 | 115.7 | 113.6 | 114.6 | 112.1 | 115.6 | 109.0 | 112.8 | 114.4 |
| 2020 March | 117.4 | 117.8 | 116.2 | 115.8 | 113.5 | 117.2 | 111.8 | 115.5 | 116.6 |
| 2019 December | 117.1 | 116.9 | 116.3 | 115.4 | 113.1 | 116.7 | 111.5 | 115.0 | 116.2 |
| 2019 September | 116.5 | 115.9 | 115.5 | 114.5 | 112.6 | 114.7 | 111.3 | 114.3 | 115.4 |
| 2019 June | 115.9 | 115.3 | 114.8 | 113.7 | 112.0 | 114.1 | 111.0 | 113.5 | 114.8 |
| 2019 March | 115.1 | 114.7 | 114.1 | 113.1 | 111.2 | 113.4 | 110.1 | 113.2 | 114.1 |
| 2018 December | 115.2 | 114.6 | 114.0 | 113.0 | 111.3 | 113.6 | 111.0 | 113.1 | 114.1 |
| 2018 September | 114.7 | 114.0 | 113.4 | 112.4 | 110.8 | 112.2 | 110.8 | 112.3 | 113.5 |
| 2018 June | 114.0 | 113.8 | 112.9 | 112.1 | 110.2 | 111.5 | 110.1 | 111.6 | 113.0 |
| 2018 March | 113.6 | 113.3 | 112.4 | 111.6 | 110.0 | 111.1 | 109.7 | 111.2 | 112.6 |
| 2017 December | 113.3 | 112.3 | 112.3 | 111.2 | 109.9 | 110.3 | 109.7 | 110.3 | 112.1 |
| 2017 September | 112.5 | 111.5 | 111.4 | 110.4 | 109.5 | 109.2 | 109.4 | 109.6 | 111.4 |
| 2017 June | 111.7 | 111.0 | 111.0 | 109.2 | 109.0 | 108.9 | 108.8 | 108.6 | 110.7 |
| 2020-21 | 118.2 | 118.3 | 117.8 | 116.8 | 114.6 | 118.2 | 113.1 | 116.8 | 117.5 |
| 2019-20 | 116.4 | 116.6 | 115.4 | 115.1 | 112.8 | 116.1 | 110.9 | 114.4 | 115.7 |
| 2018-19 | 115.2 | 114.7 | 114.1 | 113.1 | 111.3 | 113.3 | 110.7 | 113.0 | 114.1 |
| 2017-18 | 113.4 | 112.7 | 112.3 | 111.3 | 109.9 | 110.5 | 109.7 | 110.7 | 112.3 |
a. Unless otherwise specified, reference period of each index: 2011-12 = 100.0.
All groups CPI, percentage changes
| Period | Sydney | Melbourne | Brisbane | Adelaide | Perth | Hobart | Darwin | Canberra | Weighted average of eight capital cities |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020-21 | 1.5 | 1.4 | 2.1 | 1.5 | 1.6 | 1.8 | 2.0 | 2.1 | 1.6 |
| 2019-20 | 1.0 | 1.7 | 1.2 | 1.8 | 1.3 | 2.4 | 0.2 | 1.2 | 1.3 |
| 2018-19 | 1.7 | 1.7 | 1.6 | 1.5 | 1.3 | 2.5 | 0.9 | 2.1 | 1.6 |
| 2017-18 | 2.0 | 2.3 | 1.7 | 2.3 | 0.9 | 2.1 | 1.0 | 2.4 | 1.9 |
| Period | Sydney | Melbourne | Brisbane | Adelaide | Perth | Hobart | Darwin | Canberra | Weighted average of eight capital cities |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 September | 2.9 | 2.9 | 3.9 | 2.5 | 3.2 | 3.0 | 5.9 | 3.7 | 3.0 |
| 2021 June | 4.1 | 2.9 | 4.9 | 2.8 | 4.2 | 3.6 | 6.1 | 4.8 | 3.8 |
| 2021 March | 0.9 | 0.8 | 1.7 | 1.2 | 1.0 | 1.1 | 2.3 | 1.6 | 1.1 |
| 2020 December | 0.8 | 1.3 | 1.0 | 1.0 | -0.1 | 0.8 | 0.0 | 1.1 | 0.9 |
| 2020 September | 0.3 | 0.7 | 0.6 | 1.0 | 1.3 | 1.7 | -0.4 | 1.0 | 0.7 |
| 2020 June | -1.0 | 0.3 | -1.0 | 0.8 | 0.1 | 1.3 | -1.8 | -0.6 | -0.3 |
| 2020 March | 2.0 | 2.7 | 1.8 | 2.4 | 2.1 | 3.4 | 1.5 | 2.0 | 2.2 |
| 2019 December | 1.6 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 2.1 | 1.6 | 2.7 | 0.5 | 1.7 | 1.8 |
| 2019 September | 1.6 | 1.7 | 1.9 | 1.9 | 1.6 | 2.2 | 0.5 | 1.8 | 1.7 |
| 2019 June | 1.7 | 1.3 | 1.7 | 1.4 | 1.6 | 2.3 | 0.8 | 1.7 | 1.6 |
| 2019 March | 1.3 | 1.2 | 1.5 | 1.3 | 1.1 | 2.1 | 0.4 | 1.8 | 1.3 |
| 2018 December | 1.7 | 2.0 | 1.5 | 1.6 | 1.3 | 3.0 | 1.2 | 2.5 | 1.8 |
| 2018 September | 2.0 | 2.2 | 1.8 | 1.8 | 1.2 | 2.7 | 1.3 | 2.5 | 1.9 |
| 2018 June | 2.1 | 2.5 | 1.7 | 2.7 | 1.1 | 2.4 | 1.2 | 2.8 | 2.1 |
| 2018 March | 2.1 | 2.2 | 1.7 | 2.3 | 0.9 | 2.0 | 1.1 | 2.4 | 1.9 |
| 2017 December | 2.2 | 2.2 | 1.9 | 2.3 | 0.8 | 2.1 | 1.0 | 2.2 | 1.9 |
| 2017 September | 1.9 | 2.2 | 1.5 | 1.8 | 0.8 | 2.0 | 0.6 | 2.1 | 1.8 |
| Period | Sydney | Melbourne | Brisbane | Adelaide | Perth | Hobart | Darwin | Canberra | Weighted average of eight capital cities |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 September | 0.7 | 0.8 | 1.3 | 0.7 | 0.8 | 0.3 | 1.5 | 1.3 | 0.8 |
| 2021 June | 0.8 | 0.3 | 0.8 | 0.5 | 1.9 | 1.1 | 1.0 | 0.8 | 0.8 |
| 2021 March | 0.4 | 0.3 | 0.6 | 0.6 | 1.4 | 0.8 | 2.6 | 0.9 | 0.6 |
| 2020 December | 1.0 | 1.5 | 1.1 | 0.7 | -1.0 | 0.8 | 0.6 | 0.8 | 0.9 |
| 2020 September | 1.8 | 0.9 | 2.3 | 1.0 | 1.8 | 1.0 | 1.7 | 2.3 | 1.6 |
| 2020 June | -2.3 | -1.8 | -2.2 | -1.0 | -1.2 | -1.4 | -2.5 | -2.3 | -1.9 |
| 2020 March | 0.3 | 0.8 | -0.1 | 0.3 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.3 | 0.4 | 0.3 |
| 2019 December | 0.5 | 0.9 | 0.7 | 0.8 | 0.4 | 1.7 | 0.2 | 0.6 | 0.7 |
| 2019 September | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.6 | 0.7 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.3 | 0.7 | 0.5 |
| 2019 June | 0.7 | 0.5 | 0.6 | 0.5 | 0.7 | 0.6 | 0.8 | 0.3 | 0.6 |
| 2019 March | -0.1 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.1 | -0.1 | -0.2 | -0.8 | 0.1 | 0.0 |
| 2018 December | 0.4 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 1.2 | 0.2 | 0.7 | 0.5 |
| 2018 September | 0.6 | 0.2 | 0.4 | 0.3 | 0.5 | 0.6 | 0.6 | 0.6 | 0.4 |
| 2018 June | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.2 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.4 |
| 2018 March | 0.3 | 0.9 | 0.1 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 0.7 | 0.0 | 0.8 | 0.4 |
| 2017 December | 0.7 | 0.7 | 0.8 | 0.7 | 0.4 | 1.0 | 0.3 | 0.6 | 0.6 |
| 2017 September | 0.7 | 0.5 | 0.4 | 1.1 | 0.5 | 0.3 | 0.6 | 0.9 | 0.6 |
Longer term series: all groups CPI, weighted average of eight capital cities, index numbers
| 31 March no. | 30 June no. | 30 September no. | 31 December no. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 117.9 | 118.8 | 119.7 | |
| 2020 | 116.6 | 114.4 | 116.2 | 117.2 |
| 2019 | 114.1 | 114.8 | 115.4 | 116.2 |
| 2018 | 112.6 | 113.0 | 113.5 | 114.1 |
| 2017 | 110.5 | 110.7 | 111.4 | 112.1 |
| 2016 | 108.2 | 108.6 | 109.4 | 110.0 |
| 2015 | 106.8 | 107.5 | 108.0 | 108.4 |
| 2014 | 105.4 | 105.9 | 106.4 | 106.6 |
| 2013 | 102.4 | 102.8 | 104.0 | 104.8 |
| 2012 | 99.9 | 100.4 | 101.8 | 102.0 |
| 2011 | 98.3 | 99.2 | 99.8 | 99.8 |
| 2010 | 95.2 | 95.8 | 96.5 | 96.9 |
| 2009 | 92.5 | 92.9 | 93.8 | 94.3 |
| 2008 | 90.3 | 91.6 | 92.7 | 92.4 |
| 2007 | 86.6 | 87.7 | 88.3 | 89.1 |
| 2006 | 84.5 | 85.9 | 86.7 | 86.6 |
| 2005 | 82.1 | 82.6 | 83.4 | 83.8 |
| 2004 | 80.2 | 80.6 | 80.9 | 81.5 |
| 2003 | 78.6 | 78.6 | 79.1 | 79.5 |
| 2002 | 76.1 | 76.6 | 77.1 | 77.6 |
| 2001 | 73.9 | 74.5 | 74.7 | 75.4 |
| 2000 | 69.7 | 70.2 | 72.9 | 73.1 |
| 1999 | 67.8 | 68.1 | 68.7 | 69.1 |
| 1998 | 67.0 | 67.4 | 67.5 | 67.8 |
| 1997 | 67.1 | 66.9 | 66.6 | 66.8 |
| 1996 | 66.2 | 66.7 | 66.9 | 67.0 |
| 1995 | 63.8 | 64.7 | 65.5 | 66.0 |
| 1994 | 61.5 | 61.9 | 62.3 | 62.8 |
| 1993 | 60.6 | 60.8 | 61.1 | 61.2 |
| 1992 | 59.9 | 59.7 | 59.8 | 60.1 |
| 1991 | 58.9 | 59.0 | 59.3 | 59.9 |
| 1990 | 56.2 | 57.1 | 57.5 | 59.0 |
| 1989 | 51.7 | 53.0 | 54.2 | 55.2 |
| 1988 | 48.4 | 49.3 | 50.2 | 51.2 |
| 1987 | 45.3 | 46.0 | 46.8 | 47.6 |
| 1986 | 41.4 | 42.1 | 43.2 | 44.4 |
| 1985 | 37.9 | 38.8 | 39.7 | 40.5 |
a. nil or rounded to zero (including null cells)
Data downloads
Time Series Spreadsheets
Data files
TABLES 1 and 2. CPI: All Groups, Index Numbers and Percentage Changes
TABLES 3 and 4. CPI: Groups, Weighted Average of Eight Capital Cities, Index Numbers and Percentage Changes
TABLE 5. CPI: Groups, Index Numbers by Capital City
TABLE 6. CPI: Group, Sub-group and Expenditure Class Contribution to Change in All Groups Indexes, by Capital City
TABLE 7. CPI: Group, Sub-group and Expenditure Class, Weighted Average of Eight Capital Cities
TABLE 8. CPI: Analytical Series, Weighted Average of Eight Capital Cities
TABLE 9. CPI: Group, Sub-group and Expenditure Class, Index Numbers by Capital City
TABLE 10. CPI: Group, Sub-group and Expenditure Class, Percentage change from corresponding quarter of previous year by Capital City
TABLE 11. CPI: Group, Sub-group and Expenditure Class, Percentage change from previous quarter by Capital City
TABLE 12. CPI: Group, Sub-group and Expenditure Class, Points Contribution, by Capital City
TABLE 13. CPI: Group, Expenditure Class and Selected Analytical Series Index Numbers, Seasonally adjusted, Weighted Average of Eight Capital Cities
TABLE 14. CPI: Expenditure Class, Combined seasonal adjustment factors, Weighted Average of Eight Capital Cities
Article archive
Response to COVID-19
Update to measuring the CPI in the September 2021 quarter, October 2021
Update to measuring the CPI in the December 2020 quarter, January 2021
The 2020 annual re-weight of the Australian Consumer Price Index, December 2020
Measuring the Consumer Price Index: September 2020 quarter update, October 2020
Measuring the Consumer Price Index during a time of COVID-19, July 2020
Note on the impact of COVID-19 on the Consumer Price Index, March quarter 2020
CPI feature articles
Measuring Non-discretionary and Discretionary Inflation, May 2021
Automotive fuel in the CPI, March 2021
Non-Discretionary and Discretionary Inflation, November 2020
Web scraping in the Australian CPI, March quarter 2020
Quality Change in the Australian CPI, December 2019
Underlying Inflation Measures: Explaining the Trimmed Mean and Weighted Median, April 2019 (Chief Economist Series)
70 Years of Inflation in Australia, October 2018 (Chief Economist Series)
70 years of the Australian Consumer Price Index, September quarter 2018
The Australian CPI: A Contemporary Measure of Household Inflation, September quarter 2017
The average size and proportion of price changes in the CPI, September quarter 2017
What role does housing play in the Consumer Price Index and Selected Living Cost Indexes?, March quarter 2017
Potential Impact of Tropical Cyclone Debbie on the CPI, March quarter 2017
Consumer spending patterns and price change: How does electricity compare?, March quarter 2017
Measuring Price Change of Attached Dwellings in the CPI, December quarter 2016
Review of the Consumer Price Index International Trade Exposure Series, September quarter 2016
Australian Dietary Guidelines Price Indexes, December quarter 2015
CPI enhancements
An update on the Annual Re-weighting of the Australian CPI and Living Cost Indexes, August 2018
Towards an Australian Monthly CPI, June 2018 (Chief Economist Series)
An Implementation Plan to Annually Re-weight the Australian CPI, June 2017
An Implementation Plan to Maximise the Use of Transactions Data in the CPI, June 2017
Making Greater Use of Transactions Data to compile the Consumer Price Index, November 2016
Increasing the Frequency of CPI Expenditure Class Weight Updates, July 2016
Enhancing the Australian CPI: A roadmap, August 2015
The Use of Transactions Data to Compile the Australian Consumer Price Index, September quarter 2013
CPI 17th series review
The 2020 annual re-weight of the Australian Consumer Price Index, December 2020
Information Paper: Introduction of the Consumer Price Index Weight Update, December 2019
Consumer Price Index: Correspondence with 2015-16 Household Expenditure Classification 2017, January 2018
Consumer Price Index: Historical Weighting Patterns, 1948-2017, January 2018
A Guide to the Consumer Price Index: 17th Series 2017, January 2018
Consumer Price Index: 17th Series Weighting Pattern, November 2017
Information Paper: Introduction of the 17th Series Australian Consumer Price Index, 2017, November 2017
Using price indexes
Price indexes in contracts
Price indexes published by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) provide summary measures of the movements in various categories of prices over time. They are published primarily for use in Government economic analysis. Price indexes are also often used in contracts by businesses and government to adjust payments and/or charges to take account of changes in categories of prices (Indexation Clauses).
Use of Price Indexes in Contracts that sets out a range of issues that should be taken into account by parties considering including an Indexation Clause in a contract using an ABS published price index.
Frequently asked questions
The Frequently Asked Questions page that has answers to a number of common questions to do with price indexes and the Consumer Price Index, in particular.
Previous catalogue number
This release previously used catalogue number 6401.0.