This Update contains a summary of cost of living changes for different households in the September Quarter showing that last quarter's anomalous deflation had disappeared, but payments to age pensioners and other social security recipients covered cost increases this quarter (although the cut to the Coronavirus Supplement would have significant impacts for many households). This report also contains a special feature summarising the South Australian telecommunications affordability data from the recently released Australian Digital Inclusion Index.
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Cost of Living Updates
No.44, September Quarter 2020 - Telecommunications
7 November 2020
No.43, June Quarter 2020 - COVID-19
5 August 2020
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.
No.42, March Quarter 2020 - COVID-19
6 May 2020
This report examines the impact of the summer’s bushfires and the coronavirus on SA households. The report shows how the coronavirus particularly has impacted differently on different households, including the fact that some households are likely to be financially better off.
Download Cost of Living Update No.42, March Qtr 2020 - COVID-19
No. 41, December Quarter 2019 - Insurance
23 February 2020
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
No. 40, September Quarter 2019 - Summary
7 January 2020
Update provides a summary of cost of living changes in the September Quarter. This is a summary only and there is no special feature in this report, but it does show (again - and in spite of a lift of the freeze on Family Tax Benefits) that Newstart income has not kept up with the cost of living.
No. 39, June Quarter 2019 - Summary
5 September 2019
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
No. 38, March Quarter 2019: Summary
13 May 2019
Update provides a summary of cost of living changes in the March Quarter. This is a summary only and there is no special feature in this report.
No.37, December Qtr 2018: Summary
11 February 2019
Update provides a summary of cost of living changes in the December Quarter. This is a summary only and there is no special feature in this report.
Download: Cost of Living Update, No. 37, December Qtr 2018: Summary
No. 36, September Qtr 2018: Petrol
22 November 2018
Summary of cost of living changes in the September Quarter 2018. This Update features an in-depth look at petrol costs. It also looks at affordability, particularly for low income households and regional consumers. CPI figures show that over the last year petrol prices went up by 19.2% in Adelaide, and by around 30% over the two years combined. However, the broader picture of petrol prices is more nuanced.
No. 35, June Qtr 2018: Newstart
6 August 2018
Summary of cost of living changes in the June Quarter 2018. This Update features an in depth look at the cost of living for those on Newstart and other base level social security payments, including budgets from 5 social security recipients. The statistical analysis shows the value of Newstart has declined over 20 years, both in real terms and in comparison with the income of most households in South Australia, while the budgets show how difficult (impossible) it is to make ends meets on Newstart.