Australia: cost of living

How much have food prices gone up in Australia?

Food and non-alcoholic beverage prices rose 3.0% in the 12 months to August 2026, down from 3.2% in July, according to the monthly Consumer Price Index from the ABS, released on 30 September 2026. Meals out and takeaway food was the main contributor, rising 4.1%.

All-items CPI inflation was 4.0% over the same period, so food prices rose more slowly than prices overall. The CPI tracks the price of a fixed basket of goods and services, so it does not measure what any one household spends. The September CPI is due on 28 October 2026.

Official sources: ABS: Consumer Price Index, Australia, August 2026

How much have electricity prices gone up in Australia?

Electricity prices in the Consumer Price Index rose 13.2% in the 12 months to August 2026, up from 6.1% in the year to July, according to the ABS. The ABS attributes the rise largely to the ending of Commonwealth electricity rebates, with the timing of rebate payments in 2025 affecting the July figure.

The CPI measures what households pay after rebates, so the end of a rebate shows up as a price rise even if retail tariffs do not change. Electricity was one of the main contributors to the 5.7% annual rise in the housing group, along with new dwellings (5.4%) and rents (3.6%).

Official sources: ABS: Consumer Price Index, Australia, August 2026

How much have petrol prices gone up in Australia?

Automotive fuel prices rose 14.8% in August 2026 alone and 13.5% over the 12 months to August, according to the ABS Consumer Price Index. The ABS attributes the monthly rise to higher world oil prices and the unwinding of the remainder of the federal government's fuel excise relief measures in August.

Fuel was the main contributor to the 5.6% annual rise in transport prices. The CPI measures the change in average pump prices paid across capital cities, so it does not give a price per litre; daily prices by location are published by state fuel price monitoring schemes.

Official sources: ABS: Consumer Price Index, Australia, August 2026

How much has the cost of living gone up in Australia?

The ABS Selected Living Cost Indexes rose between 3.7% and 4.7% in the twelve months to the June quarter 2026, according to the ABS, released on 5 August 2026. The rise was 3.7% for employee households, 4.7% for age pensioner households and 3.8% for self-funded retirees.

Unlike the CPI, the living cost indexes include mortgage interest charges and are weighted by what each type of household spends, so they show how price changes affect different groups. Insurance and financial services, food and housing were the main contributors. The indexes are published quarterly.

Official sources: ABS: Selected Living Cost Indexes, June 2026

How much has child care gone up in Australia?

Child care prices rose 3.5% in the 12 months to August 2026, down from 7.3% in the year to July, according to the ABS Consumer Price Index. In August alone, child care out-of-pocket costs rose 0.6%, compared with a 4.3% monthly rise in August 2025.

The CPI measures out-of-pocket costs after the Child Care Subsidy, so changes to the subsidy affect the index. The ABS notes that the subsidy's income thresholds and hourly rate caps are indexed each year, which affects price movements around July and August. Fees charged by individual centres vary widely.

Official sources: ABS: Consumer Price Index, Australia, August 2026

How fast are prices rising in Australia?

The IMF puts consumer price inflation in Australia at 2.9% in 2025. The peak was 6.6% in 2022 and the low 0.8% in 2020. Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was 2.2%, and Australia placed 9th highest of 24. Worldwide: 85th of 165.

How much do people in Australia spend?

The latest figure from the World Bank, for 2025, is $33,634. The peak was $34,105 in 2023 and the low $27,821 in 2005. East Asia & Pacific median: $3,794; Australia is 1st highest of 12. World rank, highest first: 4th of 124.

How many people in Australia live on under $3 a day?

In 2020, the share of people living on less than $3.00 a day in Australia was 0.9%, according to the World Bank. That is the highest since at least 2008. Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was 0.9%, and Australia placed 4th highest of 7. Of 69 countries with 2020 data, 30th highest.

What is income inequality in Australia?

The World Bank puts the Gini index in Australia at 33.8 in 2020. Since 2008 it has ranged from 33.7 (2016) to 35.4 (2008). East Asia & Pacific median: 35.0; Australia is 5th highest of 7. Of 69 countries with 2020 data, 36th highest.

How many people in Australia face food insecurity?

According to the FAO, moderate or severe food insecurity in Australia was 15.1% in 2024. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2015. Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was 15.4%, and Australia placed 10th highest of 17. Of 135 countries with 2024 data, 80th highest.