6401.0 - Consumer Price Index, Australia, Sep 2003  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 22/10/2003   
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1 ALL GROUPS, Index Numbers(a)
2 ALL GROUPS, Percentage Changes
CPI All Groups, Weighted Average of Eight Capital Cities, Index Numbers(a)



SEPTEMBER QTR KEY FIGURES


% change
% change
Jun Qtr 2003 to
Sep Qtr 2002 to
Weighted average of eight capital cities
Sep Qtr 2003
Sep Qtr 2003
Food
-0.3
3.0
Alcohol and tobacco
1.9
3.8
Clothing and footwear
-0.4
0.3
Housing
1.8
4.6
Household furnishings, supplies and services
0.1
0.8
Health
0.0
7.2
Transportation
1.4
1.8
Communication
0.7
1.7
Recreation
-1.1
-1.4
Education
0.1
4.9
Miscellaneous
1.4
2.7
All groups
0.6
2.6
All groups excluding Housing
0.3
2.1

Graph - All groups, quarterly change
Graph - Contribution to quarterly change, september quarter 2003


SEPTEMBER QTR KEY POINTS


THE ALL GROUPS CPI
  • rose 0.6% in the September quarter 2003, compared with no change in the June quarter 2003.
  • rose 2.6% between the September quarters 2002 and 2003.


OVERVIEW OF CPI MOVEMENTS
  • contributing most to the overall increase this quarter were rises in the cost of house purchase (+1.7%), automotive fuel (+3.0%), beer (+3.7%), property rates and charges (+6.1%), other motoring charges (+4.5%), tobacco (+1.5%), water and sewerage (+4.0%), take away and fast foods (+1.2%) and rents (+0.6%).
  • partially offsetting these increases were falls in the cost of vegetables (-7.8%), audio, visual and computing equipment (-7.3%), overseas holiday travel and accommodation (-2.9%), pharmaceuticals (-3.6%), motor vehicles (-0.5%) and domestic holiday travel and accommodation (-0.8%).
  • contributing most to the annual increase were rises in the cost of house purchase (+6.1%), hospital and medical services (+9.3%), beer (+5.4%), automotive fuel (+3.0%), tobacco (+4.4%), take away and fast foods (+3.9%), electricity (+6.0%) and rents (+1.9%). Partially offsetting these increases were falls in the cost of audio, visual and computing equipment (-20.8%), overseas holiday travel and accommodation (-2.6%) and motor vehicles (-0.9%).


NOTES

CHANGES IN THIS ISSUE

There are no changes in this issue.


ANALYTICAL LIVING COST INDEXES FOR SELECTED AUSTRALIAN HOUSEHOLD TYPES

Analytical Living Cost Indexes for Selected Australian Household Types are compiled once a year after each June quarter release of this publication. The latest update of these series, to June quarter 2003, was released in the October 2003 issue of the Australian Economic Indicators (cat. no. 1350.0). A link to this article can be found in Related Links at the CPI page of the ABS website.


ROUNDING

Any discrepancies between totals and sums of components in this publication are due to rounding.


INQUIRIES

For further information about these and related statistics, contact Steve Whennan on Canberra (02) 6252 6251 , or the National Information Service on 1300 135 070.


ANALYSES AND COMMENTS

Graph - CPI groups, weighted average of eight capital cities: percentage change from previous quarter



MAIN CONTRIBUTORS TO CHANGE

The discussion of the CPI groups below is ordered in terms of their significance to the change in All groups index points (see Tables 6 and 7).


HOUSING (+1.8%)

The rise in housing costs this quarter was mainly due to increases in house purchase (+1.7%), property rates and charges (+6.1%), water and sewerage (+4.0%), rents (+0.6%), electricity (+1.4%) and gas and other household fuels (+3.1%). There were no falls.

Over the twelve months to September quarter 2003, housing costs rose 4.6%.


TRANSPORTATION (+1.4%)

The rise in transportation costs was mainly due to an increase in the price of automotive fuel (+3.0%), other motoring charges (+4.5%), motor vehicle repair and servicing (+1.2%) and urban transport fares (+2.9%). Petrol prices fell in April (-9.4%), May (-5.6%) and June (-0.7%), rose in July (+2.9%) and August (+4.0%) and fell in September (-0.5%). Partially offsetting these increases was a fall in the price of motor vehicles (-0.5%).

Over the twelve months to September quarter 2003, transportation costs rose 1.8%.


ALCOHOL AND TOBACCO (+1.9%)

The increase in the cost of alcohol and tobacco was due to increases in the price of beer (+3.7%), tobacco (+1.5%), wine (+0.5%) and spirits (+1.0%).

Over the twelve months to September quarter 2003, the cost of alcohol and tobacco rose 3.8%.


RECREATION (-1.1%)

The fall in the cost of recreation was mainly due to decreases in audio, visual and computing equipment (-7.3%), overseas holiday travel and accommodation (-2.9%) and domestic holiday travel and accommodation (-0.8%).

Over the twelve months to September quarter 2003, the cost of recreation fell 1.4%.


FOOD (-0.3%)

The fall in food costs this quarter was mainly attributable to a decrease in the price of vegetables (-7.8%) and soft drinks, waters and juices (-1.1%). Partly offsetting these decreases were increases in the cost of take away and fast foods (+1.2%), lamb and mutton (+7.2%) and snacks and confectionery (+1.4%).

Over the twelve months to September quarter 2003, food costs rose 3.0%.


MISCELLANEOUS (+1.4%)

The rise in the cost of the miscellaneous group was mainly due to an increase in the cost of insurance services (+1.5%) and child care (+7.3%).

Over the twelve months to September quarter 2003, miscellaneous costs rose 2.7%.


COMMUNICATION (+0.7%)

The rise in communication costs was mainly due to an increase in the cost of telecommunication (+0.7%).

Over the twelve months to September quarter 2003, the cost of communication rose 1.7%.


CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR (-0.4%)

The fall in the cost of clothing and footwear was mainly due to decreases in women's outerwear (-0.9%), women's underwear, nightwear and hosiery (-0.7%), men's footwear (-1.9%), women's footwear (-1.5%) and children's footwear (-2.4%). Partly offsetting these decreases were increases in the cost of men's outerwear (+0.2%), clothing accessories and jewellery (+0.8%) and clothing services and shoe repair (+0.4%).

Over the twelve months to September quarter 2003, clothing and footwear costs rose 0.3%.


HOUSEHOLD FURNISHINGS, SUPPLIES AND SERVICES (+0.1%)

The rise in the cost of household furnishings, supplies and services was mainly due to an increase in floor and window coverings (+0.9%). Partially offsetting this increase was a fall in the cost of furniture (-0.6%).

Over the twelve months to September quarter 2003, household furnishings, supplies and services costs rose 0.8%.


HEALTH (0.0%)

There was no movement in health costs this quarter. An increase in the cost of hospital and medical services (+1.0%), dental services (+1.4%) and optical services (+0.8%) was offset by a decrease in pharmaceuticals (-3.6%).

Over the twelve months to September quarter 2003, health costs rose 7.2%.


CAPITAL CITIES COMPARISON

Graph - all groups: percentage change from previous quarter



At the All groups level, the September quarter 2003 CPI rose in all capital cities except Darwin where it fell 0.1%. The increases ranged from 0.1% in Sydney to 1.1% in Brisbane. The fall in Darwin was largely due to the removal of a temporary $90 levy applying to motor vehicle registration, which was introduced around the end of 2001.

Over the twelve months to September quarter 2003, the All groups CPI rose in each of the eight capital cities. The increases ranged from 1.8% in Darwin to 3.6% in Adelaide.


CPI, All groups index numbers(a) and percentage changes
INDEX
NUMBER(a)
PERCENTAGE CHANGE BETWEEN
Jun Qtr 2003 and
Sep Qtr 2002 and
Sep Qtr 2003
Sep Qtr 2003
Sep Qtr 2003
Sydney
142.4
0.1
2.0
Melbourne
141.8
0.6
2.9
Brisbane
143.3
1.1
2.9
Adelaide
145.4
0.8
3.6
Perth
138.6
0.9
2.1
Hobart
141.1
0.2
2.6
Darwin
137.8
-0.1
1.8
Canberra
141.9
0.9
2.8
Weighted average of eight
capital cities
142.1
0.6
2.6
(a) Base of each index: 1989-90 = 100.0



SELECTED TABLES FROM CONSUMER PRICE INDEX, AUSTRALIA (CAT. NO. 6401.0)

1 ALL GROUPS, Index Numbers(a)
Weighted
average of
eight capital
Period
Sydney
Melbourne
Brisbane
Adelaide
Perth
Hobart
Darwin
Canberra
cities
1999-2000
125.4
124.1
125.0
126.3
122.9
124.8
124.2
124.2
124.7
2000-01
133.2
131.6
132.4
133.5
129.6
132.0
130.9
131.9
132.2
2001-02
137.2
135.3
136.3
137.2
133.1
134.7
133.7
135.2
136.0
2002-03
141.1
139.7
140.7
142.7
136.8
139.1
136.8
139.7
140.2
1999
September
124.1
122.7
124.0
125.1
121.9
123.3
122.9
122.4
123.4
December
124.7
123.5
124.1
125.7
122.7
124.0
123.6
123.7
124.1
2000
March
125.8
124.7
125.5
126.8
123.1
125.3
124.4
124.9
125.2
June
127.0
125.6
126.4
127.6
124.0
126.5
125.7
125.9
126.2
September
131.6
130.4
131.3
132.3
128.6
131.3
130.0
130.7
130.9
December
132.2
130.8
131.6
132.5
128.8
131.2
130.6
131.1
131.3
2001
March
134.0
132.2
132.7
134.1
129.6
132.1
130.7
132.2
132.7
June
135.0
133.0
134.0
135.1
131.4
133.4
132.2
133.4
133.8
September
135.4
133.6
134.2
135.3
131.5
132.8
132.5
133.2
134.2
December
136.6
134.8
135.8
136.6
132.6
133.9
133.5
134.9
135.4
2002
March
137.9
136.0
137.1
137.7
133.7
135.2
133.8
135.6
136.6
June
138.8
136.9
138.1
139.1
134.6
137.0
135.0
137.2
137.6
September
139.6
137.8
139.2
140.3
135.8
137.5
135.4
138.1
138.5
December
140.4
139.0
139.9
141.5
136.4
138.0
136.2
139.2
139.5
2003
March
142.1
140.9
141.8
144.6
137.4
140.0
137.5
140.7
141.3
June
142.2
140.9
141.8
144.3
137.4
140.8
137.9
140.7
141.3
September
142.4
141.8
143.3
145.4
138.6
141.1
137.8
141.9
142.1
(a) Base of each index: 1989–90 = 100.0


2 ALL GROUPS, Percentage Changes
Weighted
average of
eight capital
Period
Sydney
Melbourne
Brisbane
Adelaide
Perth
Hobart
Darwin
Canberra
cities
PERCENTAGE CHANGE (from previous financial year)
1999-2000
2.4
2.6
1.7
2.5
2.3
1.9
1.5
2.2
2.4
2000-01
6.2
6.0
5.9
5.7
5.5
5.8
5.4
6.2
6.0
2001-02
3.0
2.8
2.9
2.8
2.7
2.0
2.1
2.5
2.9
2002-03
2.8
3.3
3.2
4.0
2.8
3.3
2.3
3.3
3.1
PERCENTAGE CHANGE (from corresponding quarter of previous year)
1999
September
1.8
1.9
1.2
1.7
1.9
0.4
0.7
0.9
1.7
December
1.9
2.2
0.9
1.7
2.1
1.1
0.7
1.6
1.8
2000
March
2.6
3.1
2.2
3.3
2.8
2.6
1.9
2.9
2.8
June
3.3
3.4
2.7
3.2
2.6
3.3
2.4
3.6
3.2
September
6.0
6.3
5.9
5.8
5.5
6.5
5.8
6.8
6.1
December
6.0
5.9
6.0
5.4
5.0
5.8
5.7
6.0
5.8
2001
March
6.5
6.0
5.7
5.8
5.3
5.4
5.1
5.8
6.0
June
6.3
5.9
6.0
5.9
6.0
5.5
5.2
6.0
6.0
September
2.9
2.5
2.2
2.3
2.3
1.1
1.9
1.9
2.5
December
3.3
3.1
3.2
3.1
3.0
2.1
2.2
2.9
3.1
2002
March
2.9
2.9
3.3
2.7
3.2
2.3
2.4
2.6
2.9
June
2.8
2.9
3.1
3.0
2.4
2.7
2.1
2.8
2.8
September
3.1
3.1
3.7
3.7
3.3
3.5
2.2
3.7
3.2
December
2.8
3.1
3.0
3.6
2.9
3.1
2.0
3.2
3.0
2003
March
3.0
3.6
3.4
5.0
2.8
3.6
2.8
3.8
3.4
June
2.4
2.9
2.7
3.7
2.1
2.8
2.1
2.6
2.7
September
2.0
2.9
2.9
3.6
2.1
2.6
1.8
2.8
2.6
PERCENTAGE CHANGE (from previous quarter)
1999
September
0.9
1.0
0.7
1.2
0.9
0.7
0.2
0.7
0.9
December
0.5
0.7
0.1
0.5
0.7
0.6
0.6
1.1
0.6
2000
March
0.9
1.0
1.1
0.9
0.3
1.0
0.6
1.0
0.9
June
1.0
0.7
0.7
0.6
0.7
1.0
1.0
0.8
0.8
September
3.6
3.8
3.9
3.7
3.7
3.8
3.4
3.8
3.7
December
0.5
0.3
0.2
0.2
0.2
-0.1
0.5
0.3
0.3
2001
March
1.4
1.1
0.8
1.2
0.6
0.7
0.1
0.8
1.1
June
0.7
0.6
1.0
0.7
1.4
1.0
1.1
0.9
0.8
September
0.3
0.5
0.1
0.1
0.1
-0.4
0.2
-0.1
0.3
December
0.9
0.9
1.2
1.0
0.8
0.8
0.8
1.3
0.9
2002
March
1.0
0.9
1.0
0.8
0.8
1.0
0.2
0.5
0.9
June
0.7
0.7
0.7
1.0
0.7
1.3
0.9
1.2
0.7
September
0.6
0.7
0.8
0.9
0.9
0.4
0.3
0.7
0.7
December
0.6
0.9
0.5
0.9
0.4
0.4
0.6
0.8
0.7
2003
March
1.2
1.4
1.4
2.2
0.7
1.4
1.0
1.1
1.3
June
0.1
0.0
0.0
-0.2
0.0
0.6
0.3
0.0
0.0
September
0.1
0.6
1.1
0.8
0.9
0.2
-0.1
0.9
0.6


LONGER TERM SERIES:
CPI All Groups, Weighted Average of Eight Capital Cities, Index Numbers(a)
Quarter ending
Year
31 March
30 June
30 September
31 December
1985
68.1
69.7
71.3
72.7
1986
74.4
75.6
77.6
79.8
1987
81.4
82.6
84.0
85.5
1988
87.0
88.5
90.2
92.0
1989
92.9
95.2
97.4
99.2
1990
100.9
102.5
103.3
106.0
1991
105.8
106.0
106.6
107.6
1992
107.6
107.3
107.4
107.9
1993
108.9
109.3
109.8
110.0
1994
110.4
111.2
111.9
112.8
1995
114.7
116.2
117.6
118.5
1996
119.0
119.8
120.1
120.3
1997
120.5
120.2
119.7
120.0
1998
120.3
121.0
121.3
121.9
1999
121.8
122.3
123.4
124.1
2000
125.2
126.2
130.9
131.3
2001
132.7
133.8
134.2
135.4
2002
136.6
137.6
138.5
139.5
2003
141.3
141.3
142.1
(a) Base of each index:1989-90 = 100.0