Cost of Living Updates

This Update contains a summary of cost of living changes for different households in the December Quarter showing that last quarter's low inflation flowed through to only minor increases in the cost of living for age pensioners (in particular) and other social security recipients - although the situation may have been different for renters. There was no special issue focus in this Update.

This Update contains a summary of cost of living changes for different households in the June Quarter as the COVID-19 crisis hit. With a rare deflationary quarter, the cost of living story was entirely about income. Those who maintained their income would have found themselves better off financially, while those whose jobs disappeared or had hours reduced would obviously have struggled despite lower prices and ongoing consumer protections.

In the wake of this summer's fires, hail storms and floods, the December 2019 report highlights the importance of insurance costs in household budgets, points to a long term trend of fast rising prices and raises concerns about the implications of lack of insurance for vulnerable households.

Download Cost of Living Update No. 41, December Qtr 2019 - Insurance
 

Update provides a summary of cost of living changes in the June Quarter. This is a summary only and there is no special feature in this report, but it does note that this is the third financial year in a row where the Newstart income has not kept up with the cost of living.

Download: Cost of Living Update, No. 39, June Qtr 2019: Summary