6401.0 - Consumer Price Index, Australia, Mar 2018 Quality Declaration 
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 24/04/2018   
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CAPITAL CITIES COMPARISON

ALL GROUPS CPI

All Groups CPI, Percentage change from previous quarter
Graph: All Groups CPI, Percentage change from previous quarter


At the All groups level, the CPI rose in seven out of the eight capital cities, with Melbourne recording the largest movement and Darwin recording no movement.

The housing group (+0.7%) is the most significant positive contributor to the All groups quarterly movement, with rises in five out of the eight capital cities. The rise is driven by gas and other household fuels (+6.0%), due to increases in wholesale prices, and new-dwelling purchase by owner-occupiers (+0.5%).

The transport group (+1.1%) is the second most significant positive contributor to the All groups quarterly movement, with rises in all eight capital cities. This rise is driven by motor vehicles (+1.4%) and automotive fuel (+0.9%).

The education group (+2.6%) is the third most significant positive contributor to All groups quarterly movement, with rises in all eight capital cities. The rise this March quarter is weaker than previous March quarters.

The most significant offsetting negative contributor to the All groups quarterly movement is the recreation and culture group (-0.7%), with falls in seven out of the eight capital cities. The fall is driven by international holiday travel and accommodation (-2.4%), due to the winter off-peak seasons in Europe and America.

The second most significant offsetting negative contributor to the All groups quarterly movement is clothing and footwear group (-2.0%), with falls in all eight capital cities. The fall is driven by garments for women (-2.5%), due to ongoing competition and discounting activity in the retail industry.

Over the last twelve months to March quarter 2018, the All groups CPI (+1.9%) has risen in all eight capital cities, with Canberra (+2.4%), Adelaide (+2.3%), Melbourne (+2.2%) and Sydney (+2.1%) recording the largest positive movements.

All Groups CPI, All groups index numbers and percentage changes

Index number(a)
Percentage change
Mar Qtr 2018
Dec Qtr 2017 to Mar Qtr 2018
Mar Qtr 2017 to Mar Qtr 2018

Sydney
113.6
0.3
2.1
Melbourne
113.3
0.9
2.2
Brisbane
112.4
0.1
1.7
Adelaide
111.6
0.4
2.3
Perth
110.0
0.1
0.9
Hobart
111.1
0.7
2.0
Darwin
109.7
0.0
1.1
Canberra
111.2
0.8
2.4
Weighted average of eight capital cities
112.6
0.4
1.9

(a) Index reference period: 2011-12 = 100.0.



SYDNEY (+0.3%)

The main contributors to the rise in Sydney this quarter are new dwelling purchase by owner-occupiers (+1.4%), waters, soft drinks and juices (+7.5%) and motor vehicles (+2.0%). The rises are partially offset by falls in international holiday travel and accommodation (-2.3%), electricity (-2.2%) and sports participation (-3.8%). The fall in sports participation is due to the introduction of the $100 Active Kids sports voucher for school aged children in New South Wales.


MELBOURNE (+0.9%)

The main contributors to the rise in Melbourne this quarter are electricity (+13.1%), gas and other household fuels (+13.0%) and secondary education (+3.4%). Rises in Melbourne's utility prices are due to annual increases in wholesale prices being passed onto consumers. The rises are partially offset by falls in audio, visual and computing media and services (-6.9%) and international holiday travel and accommodation (-2.1%).


BRISBANE (+0.1%)

The main contributors to the rise in Brisbane this quarter are maintenance and repair of motor vehicles (+3.8%), new dwelling purchase by owner-occupiers (+0.8%) and pharmaceutical products (+6.2%). The rises are partially offset by falls in electricity (-4.8%) and international holiday travel and accommodation (-3.6%). The fall in electricity prices is due to discounting by energy retailers.


ADELAIDE (+0.4%)

The main contributors to the rise in Adelaide this quarter are new dwelling purchase by owner-occupiers (+1.7%), pharmaceutical products (+5.3%) and maintenance and repair of motor vehicles (+3.1%). The rises are partially offset by falls in international holiday travel and accommodation (-2.8%), and audio, visual and computing media and services (-5.3%).


PERTH (+0.1%)

The main contributors to the rise in Perth this quarter are automotive fuel (+2.7%), medical and hospital services (+1.5%) and pharmaceutical products (+4.7%). The rises are partially offset by falls in new dwelling purchase by owner-occupiers (-1.8%) and rents (-1.6%). The fall in rents is due to a continuation of excess housing stock leading to high vacancy rates.


HOBART (+0.7%)

The main contributors to the rise in Hobart this quarter are domestic holiday travel and accommodation (+4.3%), automotive fuel (+3.6%) and rents (+1.6%). The rise in domestic holiday travel and accommodation is due to Tasmania's continued popularity as a holiday destination for both international and domestic travellers. The rise is partially offset by falls in audio, visual and computing media and services (-6.9%) and international holiday travel and accommodation (-2.2%).


DARWIN (+0.0%)

Darwin recorded no movement this quarter. Rises in automotive fuel (+6.2%), secondary education (+6.9%) and pharmaceutical products (+5.8%) are offset by falls in rents (-1.7%) and sports participation (-19.0%). The fall in rents is due to a continuation of excess housing stock leading to high vacancy rates. The fall in sports participation is due to the biannual $100 sport voucher provided to school aged children in the Northern Territory.


CANBERRA (+0.8%)

The main contributors to the rise in Canberra this quarter are automotive fuel (+6.1%), medical and hospital services (+2.5%) and secondary education (+4.6%). The rise is partially offset by falls in international holiday travel and accommodation (-2.4%) and audio, visual and computing equipment (-3.5%).