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%. source: Australian Bureau of Statistics

Inflation Rate in Australia increased to 4.60 percent in March from 3.70 percent in February of 2026. Inflation Rate in Australia averaged 3.28 percent from 2025 until 2026, reaching an all time high of 4.60 percent in March of 2026 and a record low of 1.90 percent in June of 2025. This page provides the latest reported value for - Australia Inflation Rate - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news. Australia Inflation Rate - data, historical chart, forecasts and calendar of releases - was last updated on May of 2026.

Inflation Rate in Australia increased to 4.60 percent in March from 3.70 percent in February of 2026. Inflation Rate in Australia is expected to be 4.60 percent by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. In the long-term, the Australia Inflation Rate is projected to trend around 2.30 percent in 2027 and 2.20 percent in 2028, according to our econometric models.



Calendar GMT Reference Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
2026-03-25 12:30 AM
Inflation Rate YoY
Feb 3.7% 3.8% 3.8% 3.8%
2026-04-29 01:30 AM
Inflation Rate YoY
Mar 4.6% 3.7% 4.8% 4.8%
2026-05-27 01:30 AM
Inflation Rate YoY
Apr 4.6% 5.1%



Components Last Previous Unit Reference
Food Inflation 3.10 3.10 percent Mar 2026

Related Last Previous Unit Reference
CPI 102.44 101.31 points Mar 2026
Core Consumer Prices 106.33 106.05 points Mar 2026
RBA Trimmed Mean CPI YoY 3.30 3.30 percent Mar 2026
CPI Clothing and Footwear 101.67 103.66 points Mar 2026
CPI Education 104.58 104.54 points Mar 2026
CPI Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages 101.96 101.28 points Mar 2026
CPI Housing Utilities 103.13 102.89 points Mar 2026
CPI Recreation and Culture 98.74 99.44 points Mar 2026
CPI Transportation 108.37 99.28 points Mar 2026
Export Prices 158.60 157.80 points Mar 2026
GDP Deflator 105.40 104.40 points Dec 2025
Import Prices 135.50 135.40 points Mar 2026
Inflation Rate YoY 4.60 3.70 percent Mar 2026
Inflation Rate MoM 1.10 0.00 percent Mar 2026
Producer Prices 138.20 137.70 points Mar 2026
PPI YoY 3.00 3.50 percent Mar 2026
Quarterly CPI 101.70 100.32 points Mar 2026
Quarterly Inflation Rate QoQ 1.40 0.60 percent Mar 2026
Quarterly Inflation Rate YoY 4.10 3.60 percent Mar 2026
RBA Trimmed Mean CPI MoM 0.30 0.20 percent Mar 2026
RBA Trimmed Mean CPI QoQ 0.80 0.90 percent Mar 2026
Quarterly RBA Trimmed Mean CPI YoY 3.50 3.40 percent Mar 2026
RBA Weighted Median CPI 0.30 0.20 percent Mar 2026
RBA Weighted Median CPI YoY 3.50 3.50 percent Mar 2026


Australia Inflation Rate
In Australia, the most important categories in the consumer price index are housing (23 percent of the total weight), food and non–alcoholic beverages (17 percent), transport (11 percent), furnishings, household equipment and services (9 percent), alcohol and tobacco (9 percent), recreation and culture (9 percent), health (7 percent) and insurance and financial services (6 percent). Clothing and footwear, education and communication account for remaining 10 percent of total weight.
Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
4.60 3.70 4.60 1.90 2025 - 2026 percent Monthly
NSA

News Stream
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%.
2026-04-29
Australia Inflation Rate Eases Slightly
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.
2026-03-25
Australia Inflation Rate Slightly Above Estimates
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.
2026-02-25