This data cube, which can be found in the Data downloads section, is a spreadsheet that contains the Consumer Price Index Commodity Classification (CPICC), the 2015-16 Household Expenditure Classification (HEC) and the correspondences between them. Both the HEC and the Consumer Price Index Commodity Classification have a hierarchical structure; only the lowest levels of these structures are shown in this data cube (expenditure class for the CPICC and the 10 digit level for the HEC) as this is the level at which correspondences were established.
A full listing of the 2015-16 HEC is published in Household Expenditure Survey and Survey of Income and Housing, User Guide, Australia, 2015-16 (cat. no. 6503.0), released on 10 October 2017. The CPI commodity structure and weighting pattern is available in Information Paper: Introduction of the 17th Series Australian Consumer Price Index (cat. no. 6470.0.55.001), and A Guide to the Consumer Price Index: 17th Series (cat. no. 6440.0).
Some HEC codes could not be considered unique to a CPI expenditure class and were split (or partitioned) over relevant CPI expenditure classes. Partitioning is indicated by either a "p" (proportional prorate) or an "f" (fixed split) between the HEC code and the descriptor.
While the CPI weights are largely based on information from the Household Expenditure Survey (HES), the weights also include adjustments to allow for the following factors:
- under-reporting of alcohol and tobacco expenditures in the HES;
- scope, coverage and measurement differences. Other data sources were used where HES data did not cover collection information required for CPI purposes. For example, expenditure on new dwelling purchases (excluding land) by owner-occupiers; Higher Education Loan Program (HELP) expenditures, and financial services expenditures;
- significant changes in volumes between the time the HES was undertaken (2015-16) and the link period for the CPI (September quarter 2017). In the 17th series, volume adjustments have been made for Audio, visual and computing equipment;
- price movements between the 2015-16 financial year and the link period for the CPI (September quarter 2017). This process involved revaluing HES expenditures to CPI link period prices to maintain the underlying quantities;
- price movements between time of purchase and reporting in the HES for items collected in HES with a recall period of more than 3 months; and
- HES expenditures within particular capital cities which appeared "abnormal" due to a single large sample observation (excessively high or low).
For further information regarding the adjustments made to the HES data, please refer to Information Paper: Introduction of the 17th Series Australian Consumer Price Index(cat. no. 6470.0.55.001).
Inquiries
For more information regarding the 17th series CPI, please contact the National Information and Referral Service on 1300 135 070.