The Australian Bureau of Statistics released the Consumer Price Index figures for the March 2019 quarter today (for the period 1 January 2019 to 31 March 2019).
Both landlords and tenants may wish to:
- check their leases to see whether a CPI rent review is due using the March quarter CPI; and
- if a rent review is due, apply the correct Index number for that review.
We highlight the key areas of interest for landlords and tenants.
Key areas of interest
All Groups - Brisbane
The new All Groups Index number for Brisbane for the March 2019 quarter is 114.1. The Index number for the March 2018 quarter was 112.4, so the new Index number represents an increase of 1.5% over the corresponding quarter for the previous year.
All Groups – Perth
The new All Groups Index number for Perth for the March 2019 quarter is 111.2. The Index number for the March 2018 quarter was 110.0, so the new Index number represents an increase of 1.1% over the corresponding quarter for the previous year.
All Groups – Weighted average of eight capital cities
The new All Groups weighted average Index number for the eight capital cities for the March 2019 quarter is 114.1. The weighted average Index number for the March 2018 quarter was 112.6, so the new Index number represents an increase of 1.3% over the corresponding quarter for the previous year.
All Groups – Capital cities comparison
At the All Groups level, the CPI rose in all capital cities during the March 2019 quarter when compared to the March 2018 quarter. Hobart recorded the largest increase in that regard (2.1%) followed by Canberra (1.8%) and Brisbane (1.5%) while the increases for the other capital cities ranged between 0.4% to 1.3%.
A summary of the percentage changes for the capital cities is listed below:
| City | Index for December 2017 | Index for December 2018 | Percent change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sydney | 113.6 | 115.1 | 1.3 |
| Melbourne | 113.3 | 114.7 | 1.2 |
| Brisbane | 112.4 | 114.1 | 1.5 |
| Adelaide | 111.6 | 113.1 | 1.3 |
| Perth | 110.0 | 111.2 | 1.1 |
| Hobart | 111.1 | 113.4 | 2.1 |
| Darwin | 109.7 | 110.1 | 0.4 |
| Canberra | 111.2 | 113.2 | 1.8 |
A detailed breakdown of CPI figures is available at the Australian Bureau of Statistics website.
For more information about applying CPI figures to your leases, please contact HopgoodGanim Lawyers' Property team.