Australian living cost indexes increased between 1.1% and 2.5% in the March 2026 quarter, the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) reported on 6 May 2026. The five household‑type indexes – Pensioner and Beneficiary, Employee, Age Pensioner, Other Government Transfer Recipient and Self‑Funded Retiree – all rose, with the largest quarterly increases for Pensioner and Beneficiary, Age Pensioner and Other Government Transfer Recipient households. Housing, health and transport were the main positive contributors, while recreation and culture offset the gains. In the twelve months to March, all indexes rose 2.6% to 5.2%, a higher increase than the 2.3% to 4.2% recorded for December 2025. The ABS re‑referenced the SLCI data, keeping percentage movements unchanged.
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This article is a summary of content originally published by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
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