Australia Economy in ‘Pretty Good Spot’: RBA Gov Bullock

Australia’s annual inflation edged down to 3.7% in February 2026, compared with market forecasts of 3.8%, which were also in line with the prior two months. However, the latest result remained outside the central bank’s 2–3% target. Goods inflation slowed (3.5% vs 3.8% in January), amid a decline in transport cost, with automotive fuel falling at a steeper rate before the Middle East conflict. (-7.2% vs -2.7%). Also, price growth eased for alcohol and tobacco (4.3% vs 5.0%), clothing (4.9% vs 5.3%), furnishings (1.3% vs 1.4%), communication (0.8% vs 1.4%), and education (4.8% vs 5.4%). In contrast, inflation held steady for food and non-alcoholic drinks (at 3.1%) and financial services (at 2.4%) while accelerating for housing (7.3% vs 6.8%) and recreation (4.0% vs 3.6%). Services inflation stood at 3.9%, unchanged from January. The trimmed mean CPI inched lower to 3.3% yoy, below both the prior figure and consensus of 3.4%. Monthly, the CPI was flat, reversing a 0.4% gain in January.

Australia’s annual inflation held at 3.8% in January 2026, unchanged from the prior month but topped market forecasts of 3.7%, remaining outside the central bank’s 2–3% target. Services inflation eased to 3.9% from December's two-year high of 4.1%, partly due to lower pharmaceutical prices after the cut in the standard medicine fee. Meanwhile, goods inflation accelerated (3.8% vs 3.4%), driven by a sharp rise in electricity costs (32.2% vs 21.5%) as state rebates expired. Price growth stayed broad-based, with continued rises in food and non-alcoholic drinks (3.1% vs 3.4%), alcohol and tobacco (5.0% vs 4.9%), clothing (5.3% vs 3.4%), housing (6.8% vs 5.5%), furnishings (1.4% vs 2.0%), transport (1.1% vs 1.6%), communication (1.4% vs 1.1%), recreation (3.6% vs 4.4%), education (5.4% vs 5.4%), and financial services (2.4% vs 2.5%). The trimmed mean CPI edged up to 3.4% yoy, above both the prior figure and consensus of 3.3%. Monthly, the CPI rose 0.4%, slowing from a 1.0% gain in December.

Australia’s annual inflation climbed to 3.8% in December 2025 from November's 3-month low of 3.4%, surpassing market forecasts of 3.6% and remaining above the RBA’s 2–3% target. Services inflation hit a two-year high (4.1% vs. 3.6% in November), driven by year-end holiday travel and accommodation, as well as elevated rents. Meantime, goods inflation edged higher (3.4% vs 3.3%), due to a faster rise in electricity cost (21.5% vs 19.7%) as some state rebates expired. Price pressures remained broad-based, with continued increases in food and non-alcoholic drinks (3.4% vs 3.3%), alcohol and tobacco (4.9% vs 4.3%), clothing (3.4% vs 5.1%), furnishings (2.0% vs 1.3%), health (3.6% vs 3.6%), transport (1.6% vs 2.7%), communication (1.1% vs 1.3%), recreation (4.4% vs 3.0%), education (5.4% vs 5.4%), and financial services (2.5% vs 2.5%). The trimmed mean CPI inched up to 3.3% yoy from the prior 3.2%, in line with estimates. Monthly, the CPI rose 1.0%, picking up from a flat print in November.