This data cube, which can be found in the "Downloads" tab above, is a spreadsheet that contains the historical weighting patterns for the Consumer Price Index (CPI), from the first series which was compiled from the September quarter 1946 to the sixteenth series in the June quarter 2011. Prior to 1990, the information included has been consolidated from available ABS archive material, mostly paper material.
This data cube contains 20 Tables. Tables 1 to 16 contain the expenditure weights for each of the CPI series. Tables 17–20 contain the correspondences between the CPI Commodity Classifications from the 12th series onwards.
The CPI is an important economic indicator. It provides a general measure of changes in prices of consumer goods and services acquired by Australian households. Since 1960, the ABS has maintained a program of periodic reviews of the CPI to ensure that it continues to meet community needs. The 16th series CPI was introduced in respect of the September quarter 2011 and linked to the 15th series at the June quarter 2011. For more information regarding the 16th series CPI please refer to Information Paper: Introduction of the 16th Series Australian Consumer Price Index, 2011 (cat. no. 6470.0).