Inflation rises to 4.3%, with housing the biggest driver
Prices rose 4.3% in the year to September 2026, up from 4.0% in August, the Australian Bureau of Statistics reported on 28 October. Housing was the biggest contributor.
Where prices rose
Source: ABS, CPI September 2026.
| Housing | 5.2% |
| New homes | 4.7% |
| All prices | 4.3% |
| Trimmed mean | 3.6% |
Why it matters
Inflation above the Reserve Bank's 2–3% target is the main reason rates keep rising. Higher power bills also land on renters, which is why bills-included rooms are worth comparing closely.
What inflation means for renters
Inflation measures how fast everyday prices rise. When it runs above the Reserve Bank's 2–3% target, rates tend to go up, and household budgets get squeezed from both sides: higher prices and, for borrowers, higher repayments.
For renters, the biggest pressure points are usually rent, power and food. Electricity was named by the ABS as a key driver of the housing increase this time.
A simple monthly check
- Add up rent, power, internet, water and transport for a typical month.
- Compare that total against a room with bills included.
- If you share, agree how bills are split before you move in.
- Review your plans every few months, as power prices can change quickly.
Ways to ease the pressure
- Ask whether bills are included, and which ones.
- Split power and internet with housemates.
- Compare the total weekly cost, not just the rent.
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Figures are from the sources above at the time of writing. This article is general information, not financial or legal advice.