The Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 4.6 per cent in the 12 months to March 2026, according to the latest data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).
Sue-Ellen Luke, ABS head of prices statistics, said: ‘March CPI inflation of 4.6 per cent is up from the 3.7 per cent annual inflation to February.
‘Annual CPI inflation is the highest it’s been since September 2023.’
Housing, which is the highest weighted group in the CPI, was the largest contributor to annual inflation in March, with a rise of 6.5 per cent. This was followed by an 8.9 per cent rise in Transport.
The CPI monthly movement for March was 1.1 per cent, driven by Transport which rose 9.2 per cent, due primarily to a 32.8 per cent monthly increase in automotive fuel prices.
All groups CPI, Australia, monthly and annual movement (%)
Combination chart with 2 data series.View as data table, All groups CPI, Australia, monthly and annual movement (%)
The chart has 1 X axis displaying .
The chart has 1 Y axis displaying Percentage change (%). Data ranges from -0.5 to 4.6.
End of interactive chart.
When prices for some items change significantly, such as automotive fuel, measures of underlying inflation like the Trimmed mean can give more insights into how inflation is trending.
Trimmed mean annual inflation was unchanged at 3.3 per cent in the 12 months to March 2026.
All groups CPI and Trimmed mean, Australia, annual movement (%)
All groups CPI and Trimmed mean, Australia, annual movement (%)
Line chart with 2 lines.View as data table, All groups CPI and Trimmed mean, Australia, annual movement (%)
The chart has 1 X axis displaying .
The chart has 1 Y axis displaying Percentage change (%). Data ranges from 1.9 to 7.9.
Chart annotations summary
- (a)
End of interactive chart.
- Annual movements prior to April 2025 are calculated by comparing each quarter to the same quarter in the previous year. From April 2025 these movements are calculated by comparing each month to the same month in the previous year.
Transport rose 8.9 per cent in the 12 months to March, compared to a small fall in the 12 months to February.
All groups CPI and Groups, Australia, annual movement (%)
All groups CPI and Groups, Australia, annual movement (%)
Bar chart with 2 data series.View as data table, All groups CPI and Groups, Australia, annual movement (%)
The chart has 1 X axis displaying .
The chart has 1 Y axis displaying Percentage change (%). Data ranges from -0.2 to 8.9.
End of interactive chart.
‘Automotive fuel prices rose 32.8 per cent from February to March, which pre-dates the halving of the fuel excise on 1 April. The increase in March is the largest monthly increase since the series began in 2017, reflecting the impact of the conflict in the Middle East on fuel prices.’ Ms Luke said.
Automotive Fuel, Australia, monthly and annual movement (%)
Automotive Fuel, Australia, monthly and annual movement (%)
Combination chart with 2 data series.View as data table, Automotive Fuel, Australia, monthly and annual movement (%)
The chart has 1 X axis displaying .
The chart has 1 Y axis displaying Percentage change (%). Data ranges from -26.1 to 43.3.
End of interactive chart.
Average prices for regular unleaded petrol rose 33 per cent, increasing from 171 cents per litre in February to an average price of 228 cents per litre in March. Premium unleaded rose 30 per cent between February and March, with average prices rising to 250 cents per litre.
Diesel, which contributes ten per cent of the automotive fuel expenditure class, had a 41 per cent rise in average price, increasing from 181 cents per litre in February to 256 cents per litre in March.
Weighted average price of automotive fuel, cents per litre
Weighted average price of automotive fuel, cents per litre
Bar chart with 2 data series.View as data table, Weighted average price of automotive fuel, cents per litre
The chart has 1 X axis displaying .
The chart has 1 Y axis displaying cents per litre. Data ranges from 171 to 256.
Annual Housing inflation was 6.5 per cent in the 12 months to March. Electricity costs are 25.4 per cent higher than 12 months ago as Commonwealth and State government rebates that reduced electricity costs for households are no longer in place.
March quarter 2026 CPI data
This month’s publication includes quarterly indexes and movements for the March quarter 2026. The quarterly rise for the CPI was 1.4 per cent and for the Trimmed mean (pre-October 2025 basis) 0.8 per cent.
Subscribe to our free mailing list and always be the first to receive the latest news and updates.