News

Australia Inflation Slows More Than Expected
The annual inflation rate in Australia eased to 4.2% in April 2026 from 4.6% in March, coming in below expectations for a slowdown to 4.4%, but still remaining above the central bank’s 2–3% target range. Goods inflation moderated to 4.7% from 5.5%, with transport costs rising at a slower pace of 6.6% (vs 8.9% in March), as automotive fuel prices increased more slowly following the reduction of the fuel excise from 52.6 cents per litre to 20.6 cents per litre on April 1. Inflation also eased for food and non-alcoholic beverages (2.8% vs 3.1%) and housing (6.3% vs 6.5%). Services inflation also edged lower to 3.5% from 3.6%. Meanwhile, the trimmed mean CPI rose 3.4% year-on-year, the highest since September 2024 and in line with market expectations, while the weighted median CPI increased 3.5%, unchanged from March. On a monthly basis, consumer prices rose 0.4%, slowing sharply from a seven-month high gain of 1.1% in March, and coming in below the expected 0.6% increase.
Published on 2026-05-27

Australia Inflation Slows More Than Expected
The annual inflation rate in Australia eased to 4.2% in April 2026 from 4.6% in March, coming in below expectations for a slowdown to 4.4%, but still remaining above the central bank’s 2–3% target range. Goods inflation moderated to 4.7% from 5.5%, with transport costs rising at a slower pace of 6.6% (vs 8.9% in March), as automotive fuel prices eased following the halving of the fuel excise on April 1. Services inflation also edged lower to 3.5% from 3.6%. On a monthly basis, consumer prices increased 0.4%, slowing sharply from a 1.1% gain in March.
Published on 2026-05-27

Australia Inflation Slows More Than Expected
The annual inflation rate in Australia eased to 4.2% in April 2026 from 4.6% in March, coming in below expectations for a slowdown to 4.4%, but still remaining above the central bank’s 2–3% target range. Goods inflation moderated to 4.7% from 5.5%, with transport costs rising at a slower pace of 6.6% (vs 8.9% in March), as automotive fuel prices increased more slowly following the reduction of the fuel excise from 52.6 cents per litre to 20.6 cents per litre on April 1. Inflation also eased for food and non-alcoholic beverages (2.8% vs 3.1%) and housing (6.3% vs 6.5%). Services inflation also edged lower to 3.5% from 3.6%. Meanwhile, the trimmed mean CPI rose 3.4% year-on-year, the highest since September 2024 and in line with market expectations, while the weighted median CPI increased 3.5%, unchanged from March. On a monthly basis, consumer prices rose 0.4%, slowing sharply from a seven-month high gain of 1.1% in March.
Published on 2026-05-27

Australia Inflation Slows More Than Expected
The annual inflation rate in Australia eased to 4.2% in April 2026 from 4.6% in March, coming in below expectations for a slowdown to 4.4%, but still remaining above the central bank’s 2–3% target range. Goods inflation moderated to 4.7% from 5.5%, with transport costs rising at a slower pace of 6.6% (vs 8.9% in March), as automotive fuel prices increased more slowly following the reduction of the fuel excise from 52.6 cents per litre to 20.6 cents per litre on April 1. Inflation also eased for food and non-alcoholic beverages (2.8% vs 3.1%) and housing (6.3% vs 6.5%). Services inflation also edged lower to 3.5% from 3.6%. Meanwhile, the trimmed mean CPI rose 3.4% year-on-year, the highest since September 2024 and in line with market expectations, while the weighted median CPI increased 3.5%, unchanged from March. On a monthly basis, consumer prices rose 0.4%, slowing sharply from a seven-month high gain of 1.1% in March, and coming in below the expected 0.6% increase.
Published on 2026-05-27

Australia Inflation Rate Highest Since 2023
Australia’s annual inflation jumped to 4.6% in March 2026 from 3.7% in the prior month, marking the highest reading since September 2023, and staying above the central bank’s 2–3% target, though slightly below market forecasts of 4.8%. Goods inflation picked up (5.5% vs 3.5% in February), due to a sharp rebound in transport costs (8.9% vs -0.2%) as fuel prices surged amid rising oil prices linked to the Middle East conflict. Additional upward pressures came from food (3.1% vs 3.1%), alcohol and tobacco (3.1% vs 4.3%), housing (6.5% vs 7.3%), clothing (7.1% vs 4.9%), furnishings (1.4% vs 1.3%), communications (1.4% vs 0.8%), recreation (2.8% vs 4.0%), and financial services (2.8% vs 2.4%). Meanwhile, services inflation eased to 3.6% from 3.9%, partly reflecting lower pharmaceutical costs. The trimmed mean CPI rose 3.3% yoy, in line with expectations. Monthly, CPI accelerated 1.1% after being flat in February, marking the fastest pace since July 2025, but less than estimates of 1.3%.
Published on 2026-04-29

Australia Inflation Rate Below Forecasts
Australia’s annual inflation accelerated to 4.6% in March 2026, up from 3.7% in the previous month, but remained below market forecasts of 4.8%. The latest reading is above the central bank’s 2–3% target range. On a monthly basis, the CPI rose 1.1% after being flat in February, marking the fastest pace since July 2025, though still below forecasts of 1.3%.
Published on 2026-04-29

Australia Inflation Rate Highest Since 2023
Australia’s annual inflation accelerated to 4.6% in March 2026, up from 3.7% in the previous month, but remained below market forecasts of 4.8%. The latest reading is above the central bank’s 2–3% target range and the highest since September 2023. On a monthly basis, the CPI rose 1.1% after being flat in February, marking the fastest pace since July 2025, though still below forecasts of 1.3%.
Published on 2026-04-29

Australia Inflation Rate Highest Since 2023
Australia’s annual inflation accelerated to 4.6% in March 2026, up from 3.7% in the previous month, but remained below market forecasts of 4.8%. The latest reading is above the central bank’s 2–3% target range and the highest since September 2023. The trimmed mean CPI stood at 3.3% year-on-year, in line with forecasts. On a monthly basis, the CPI rose 1.1% after being flat in February, marking the fastest pace since July 2025, though still below forecasts of 1.3%.
Published on 2026-04-29

Australia Inflation Rate Highest Since 2023
Australia’s annual inflation accelerated to 4.6% in March 2026, up from 3.7% in the previous month, but remained below market forecasts of 4.8%. The latest reading is above the central bank’s 2–3% target range and the highest since September 2023. Goods inflation accelerated (5.5% vs 3.5% in February), amid a rise in transport costs (8.9%), with automotive fuel surging 24.2% due to the Middle East conflict (vs -7.2% previously). The trimmed mean CPI stood at 3.3% year-on-year, in line with forecasts. On a monthly basis, the CPI rose 1.1% after being flat in February, marking the fastest pace since July 2025, though still below forecasts of 1.3%.
Published on 2026-04-29

Australia Inflation Rate Highest Since 2023
Australia’s annual inflation jumped to 4.6% in March 2026 from 3.7% in the previous month, marking the highest reading since September 2023 and remaining outside the central bank’s 2–3% target. However, the latest result was slightly below market forecasts of 4.7%. Goods inflation accelerated (5.5% vs 3.5% in February), amid a rise in transport costs (8.9%), with automotive fuel surging 24.2% due to the Middle East conflict (vs -7.2% previously). The trimmed mean CPI stood at 3.3% year-on-year, in line with forecasts. On a monthly basis, the CPI rose 1.1% after being flat in February, marking the fastest pace since July 2025, though still below forecasts of 1.3%.
Published on 2026-04-29

Australia Inflation Rate Highest Since 2023
Australia’s annual inflation jumped to 4.6% in March 2026 from 3.7% in February, marking the highest reading since September 2023 and remaining outside the central bank’s 2–3% target. However, the latest result was slightly below forecasts of 4.8%. Goods inflation accelerated (5.5% vs 3.5% in February), amid a rise in transport costs (8.9%), with automotive fuel surging 24.2% due to the Middle East conflict. Also, price growth accelerated for clothing (7.1% vs 4.9%), furnishings (1.4% vs 1.3%), communications (1.4% vs 0.8%), and financial services (2.8% vs 2.4%). In contrast, inflation moderated for alcohol and tobacco (3.1% vs 4.3%), housing (6.5% vs 7.3%), and recreation (2.8% vs 4.0%), while remaining steady for both education (at 4.8%) and food and non-alcoholic drinks (at 3.1%). The trimmed mean CPI stood at 3.3%yoy, in line with forecasts. Monthly, the CPI rose 1.1% after being flat in February, marking the fastest pace since July 2025, though still below forecasts of 1.3%.
Published on 2026-04-29

Australia Inflation Rate Highest Since 2023
Australia’s annual inflation jumped to 4.6% in March 2026 from 3.7% in February, marking the highest reading since September 2023 and remaining outside the central bank’s 2–3% target. However, the latest result was slightly below forecasts of 4.8%. Goods inflation accelerated (5.5% vs 3.5% in February), amid a rise in transport costs (8.9%), with automotive fuel surging 24.2% due to the Middle East conflict. Also, price growth accelerated for clothing (7.1% vs 4.9%), furnishings (1.4% vs 1.3%), communications (1.4% vs 0.8%), and financial services (2.8% vs 2.4%). In contrast, inflation moderated for alcohol and tobacco (3.1% vs 4.3%), housing (6.5% vs 7.3%), and recreation (2.8% vs 4.0%), while remaining steady for both education (at 4.8%) and food and non-alcoholic drinks (at 3.1%). Services inflation eased to 3.6%. The trimmed mean CPI stood at 3.3%yoy, in line with forecasts. Monthly, the CPI rose 1.1%, marking the fastest pace since July 2025, though still below forecasts of 1.3%.
Published on 2026-04-29

Australia Inflation Rate Highest Since 2023
Australia’s annual inflation jumped to 4.6% in March 2026 from 3.7% in the prior month, marking the highest reading since September 2023 and still above the central bank’s 2–3% target, though slightly below market forecasts of 4.7%. Goods inflation picked up (5.5% vs 3.5% in February), due to a sharp rebound in transport costs (8.9% vs -0.2%) as fuel prices surged amid rising oil prices linked to Middle East tensions. Additional upward pressures came from food (3.1% vs 3.1%), alcohol and tobacco (3.1% vs 4.3%), housing (6.5% vs 7.3%), and recreation (2.8% vs 4.0%), clothing (7.1% vs 4.9%), furnishings (1.4% vs 1.3%), communications (1.4% vs 0.8%), and financial services (2.8% vs 2.4%). Meantime, services inflation eased to 3.6% from 3.9%, partly reflecting lower pharmaceutical costs. The trimmed mean CPI rose 3.3% yoy, in line with expectations. On a monthly basis, CPI rose 1.1% after being flat in February, marking the fastest rise since July 2025, but less than estimates of 1.3%.
Published on 2026-04-29

Australia Inflation Rate Highest Since 2023
Australia’s annual inflation jumped to 4.6% in March 2026 from 3.7% in the prior month, marking the highest reading since September 2023 and still above the central bank’s 2–3% target, though slightly below market forecasts of 4.7%. Goods inflation picked up (5.5% vs 3.5% in February), due to a sharp rebound in transport costs (8.9% vs -0.2%) as fuel prices surged amid rising oil prices linked to Middle East tensions. Additional upward pressures came from food (3.1% vs 3.1%), alcohol and tobacco (3.1% vs 4.3%), housing (6.5% vs 7.3%), clothing (7.1% vs 4.9%), furnishings (1.4% vs 1.3%), communications (1.4% vs 0.8%), recreation (2.8% vs 4.0%), and financial services (2.8% vs 2.4%). Meanwhile, services inflation eased to 3.6% from 3.9%, partly reflecting lower pharmaceutical costs. The trimmed mean CPI rose 3.3% yoy, in line with expectations. On a monthly basis, CPI rose 1.1% after being flat in February, marking the fastest rise since July 2025, but less than estimates of 1.3%.
Published on 2026-04-29

Australia Inflation Rate Highest Since 2023
Australia’s annual inflation jumped to 4.6% in March 2026 from 3.7% in the prior month, marking the highest reading since September 2023 and staying above the central bank’s 2–3% target, though slightly below market forecasts of 4.7%. Goods inflation picked up (5.5% vs 3.5% in February), due to a sharp rebound in transport costs (8.9% vs -0.2%) as fuel prices surged amid rising oil prices linked to Middle East tensions. Additional upward pressures came from food (3.1% vs 3.1%), alcohol and tobacco (3.1% vs 4.3%), housing (6.5% vs 7.3%), clothing (7.1% vs 4.9%), furnishings (1.4% vs 1.3%), communications (1.4% vs 0.8%), recreation (2.8% vs 4.0%), and financial services (2.8% vs 2.4%). Meanwhile, services inflation eased to 3.6% from 3.9%, partly reflecting lower pharmaceutical costs. The trimmed mean CPI rose 3.3% yoy, in line with expectations. On a monthly basis, CPI rose 1.1% after being flat in February, marking the fastest rise since July 2025, but less than estimates of 1.3%.
Published on 2026-04-29

Australia Inflation Rate Highest Since 2023
Australia’s annual inflation jumped to 4.6% in March 2026 from 3.7% in the prior month, marking the highest reading since September 2023 and staying above the central bank’s 2–3% target, though slightly below market forecasts of 4.7%. Goods inflation picked up (5.5% vs 3.5% in February), due to a sharp rebound in transport costs (8.9% vs -0.2%) as fuel prices surged amid rising oil prices linked to Middle East tensions. Additional upward pressures came from food (3.1% vs 3.1%), alcohol and tobacco (3.1% vs 4.3%), housing (6.5% vs 7.3%), clothing (7.1% vs 4.9%), furnishings (1.4% vs 1.3%), communications (1.4% vs 0.8%), recreation (2.8% vs 4.0%), and financial services (2.8% vs 2.4%). Meanwhile, services inflation eased to 3.6% from 3.9%, partly reflecting lower pharmaceutical costs. The trimmed mean CPI rose 3.3% yoy, in line with expectations. Monthly, CPI increased 1.1% after being flat in February, marking the fastest rise since July 2025, but less than the estimates of 1.3%.
Published on 2026-04-29

Australia Inflation Rate Highest Since 2023
Australia’s annual inflation jumped to 4.6% in March 2026 from 3.7% in the prior month, marking the highest reading since September 2023 and staying above the central bank’s 2–3% target, though slightly below market forecasts of 4.7%. Goods inflation picked up (5.5% vs 3.5% in February), due to a sharp rebound in transport costs (8.9% vs -0.2%) as fuel prices surged amid rising oil prices linked to the Middle East conflict. Additional upward pressures came from food (3.1% vs 3.1%), alcohol and tobacco (3.1% vs 4.3%), housing (6.5% vs 7.3%), clothing (7.1% vs 4.9%), furnishings (1.4% vs 1.3%), communications (1.4% vs 0.8%), recreation (2.8% vs 4.0%), and financial services (2.8% vs 2.4%). Meanwhile, services inflation eased to 3.6% from 3.9%, partly reflecting lower pharmaceutical costs. The trimmed mean CPI rose 3.3% yoy, in line with expectations. Monthly, CPI increased 1.1% after being flat in February, marking the fastest rise since July 2025, but less than the estimates of 1.3%.
Published on 2026-04-29

Australia Inflation Rate Highest Since 2023
Australia’s annual inflation jumped to 4.6% in March 2026 from 3.7% in the prior month, marking the highest reading since September 2023 and staying above the central bank’s 2–3% target, though slightly below market forecasts of 4.7%. Goods inflation picked up (5.5% vs 3.5% in February), due to a sharp rebound in transport costs (8.9% vs -0.2%) as fuel prices surged amid rising oil prices linked to the Middle East conflict. Additional upward pressures came from food (3.1% vs 3.1%), alcohol and tobacco (3.1% vs 4.3%), housing (6.5% vs 7.3%), clothing (7.1% vs 4.9%), furnishings (1.4% vs 1.3%), communications (1.4% vs 0.8%), recreation (2.8% vs 4.0%), and financial services (2.8% vs 2.4%). Meanwhile, services inflation eased to 3.6% from 3.9%, partly reflecting lower pharmaceutical costs. The trimmed mean CPI rose 3.3% yoy, in line with expectations. Monthly, CPI accelerated 1.1% after being flat in February, marking the fastest pace since July 2025, but less than estimates of 1.3%.
Published on 2026-04-29

Australia Inflation Rate Highest Since 2023
Australia’s annual inflation jumped to 4.6% in March 2026 from 3.7% in the prior month, marking the highest reading since September 2023 and staying above the central bank’s 2–3% target, though slightly below market forecasts of 4.8%. Goods inflation picked up (5.5% vs 3.5% in February), due to a sharp rebound in transport costs (8.9% vs -0.2%) as fuel prices surged amid rising oil prices linked to the Middle East conflict. Additional upward pressures came from food (3.1% vs 3.1%), alcohol and tobacco (3.1% vs 4.3%), housing (6.5% vs 7.3%), clothing (7.1% vs 4.9%), furnishings (1.4% vs 1.3%), communications (1.4% vs 0.8%), recreation (2.8% vs 4.0%), and financial services (2.8% vs 2.4%). Meanwhile, services inflation eased to 3.6% from 3.9%, partly reflecting lower pharmaceutical costs. The trimmed mean CPI rose 3.3% yoy, in line with expectations. Monthly, CPI accelerated 1.1% after being flat in February, marking the fastest pace since July 2025, but less than estimates of 1.3%.
Published on 2026-04-29

Australia Inflation Rate Climbs to 4.6%
Australia’s annual inflation jumped to 4.6% in March 2026 from 3.7% in the prior month, remaining well above the central bank’s 2–3% target, though slightly below market forecasts of 4.8%. Goods inflation picked up (5.5% vs 3.5% in February), due to a sharp rebound in transport costs (8.9% vs -0.2%) as fuel prices surged amid rising oil prices linked to the Middle East conflict. Additional upward pressures came from food (3.1% vs 3.1%), alcohol and tobacco (3.1% vs 4.3%), housing (6.5% vs 7.3%), clothing (7.1% vs 4.9%), furnishings (1.4% vs 1.3%), communications (1.4% vs 0.8%), recreation (2.8% vs 4.0%), and financial services (2.8% vs 2.4%). Meanwhile, services inflation eased to 3.6% from 3.9%, partly reflecting lower pharmaceutical costs. The trimmed mean CPI rose 3.3% yoy, in line with expectations. Monthly, CPI accelerated 1.1% after being flat in February, marking the fastest pace since July 2025, but less than estimates of 1.3%.
Published on 2026-04-29