1 Introduction
Aim of this publication
Other sources of CPI information
2 Historical background
Introduction
C series index
Interim Retail Price Index
Consumer Price Index
Long-term linked series
3 Price index theory
Overview
The concept of a price index
Refining the concept
Major index formulas
Decomposing expenditure aggregates
Some practical issues in price index construction
Choosing an index number formula
Handling changes in goods and services
Bias in price indexes
Conclusion
4 Consumer price indexes
Introduction to a consumer price index
Defining a consumer price index
Household accounts and a consumer price index
Principal purpose of a consumer price index
Comparing index outcomes by purpose of index
Conceptual approaches to constructing a CPI
Comparison of the conceptual approaches
CPI item coverage
Weighting the index
5 The Australian CPI
Introduction
Principal purpose and uses
Main features of the Australian CPI
Structure of the Australian CPI
Weighting the index
6 Estimating weights
Introduction
Fixed level weights
Lower level weights
7 Areas for special consideration
Introduction
Taxes, levies, concessions and subsidies
Seasonal goods
Second-hand goods
Services
Quality
Insurance services (non-life)
8 Collection methodology
Introduction
Sampling
Selecting the goods and services
New goods and services
Selecting the sample of outlets for pricing
Changes to outlet samples
Price collection procedures
Missing observations
Editing by field officers
Quality adjustment by field officers
Checking by compiling staff
Pricing basis
Price collection frequency
Food
Alcohol and tobacco
Clothing and footwear
Housing
Household furnishings, supplies and services
Health
Transportation
Communication
Recreation
Education
Miscellaneous
9 Compiling the CPI
Introduction
Subdividing the basket
Collecting price data
Estimation of price movements for elementary aggregates
Calculating the current cost of the basket
Calculating index numbers and points contributions
Secondary indexes
Tertiary indexes
ABS rounding conventions
10 Using the CPI
Introduction
Interpreting index numbers
Practical considerations
Other price indexes produced by ABS
Using the 14th series CPI
APPENDIX
Appendix 1: Weighting pattern for the CPI – June quarter 2000
Appendix 2: Price indexes and contract price indexation
Glossary
Bibliography
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