Australia’s Westpac–Melbourne Institute Consumer Sentiment Index plunged 12.5% mom to a 2-1/2-year low of 80.1 in April 2026, reversing a 1.2% rise in March. The sharp drop was driven by a surge in fuel prices amid the U.S.–Israel conflict with Iran, as well as a further 25bp rate hike by the Reserve Bank. Household finances weakened sharply, with assessments vs a year ago down 16.7% to 66.8, and expectations for the next 12 months fell 13.9% to 84.0. Meanwhile, views on economic conditions over the next year dropoed 12.4% to 75.3, and the five-year outlook eased 5.1% to 91.4. The “time to buy a major household item” index slid 15.0% to 83.3. Job loss fears climbed 9.7% to a 5-1/2-year high of 147.8. Westpac economist Matthew Hassan noted the current shock is weighing more heavily on labour market expectations than the 2022–24 'cost-of-living crisis'. He expects the central bank to stay focused on inflation, forecasting a 25bp hike in May, with further tightening later this year. source: Westpac Banking Corporation, Melbourne Institute

Consumer Confidence MoM in Australia decreased to -12.50 percent in April from 1.20 percent in March of 2026. Consumer Confidence MoM in Australia averaged 0.10 percent from 1974 until 2026, reaching an all time high of 18.00 percent in September of 2020 and a record low of -17.70 percent in April of 2020. This page includes a chart with historical data for Australia Consumer Confidence MoM. Australia Consumer Confidence MoM - data, historical chart, forecasts and calendar of releases - was last updated on April of 2026.



Calendar GMT Reference Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
2026-03-09 11:30 PM
Westpac Consumer Confidence Change
Mar 1.2% -2.6% -1.1%
2026-04-14 12:30 AM
Westpac Consumer Confidence Change
Apr -12.5% 1.2% -1.8%
2026-05-12 12:30 AM
Westpac Consumer Confidence Change
May -12.5% 1.1%


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Bank Lending Rate 10.51 10.26 percent Mar 2026
Westpac Consumer Confidence Index 80.10 91.60 points Apr 2026
Westpac Consumer Confidence Change -12.50 1.20 percent Apr 2026
Consumer Credit 2508.16 2497.93 AUD Billion Feb 2026
GDP Consumption 355694.00 354706.00 AUD Million Dec 2025
Disposable Personal Income 453531.00 445503.00 AUD Million Dec 2025
Gasoline Prices 1.74 1.22 USD/Liter Mar 2026
Households Debt to GDP 113.20 113.60 percent of GDP Sep 2025
Housing Credit MoM 0.60 0.60 percent Feb 2026
Personal Savings 6.90 6.10 percent Dec 2025
Private Sector Credit MoM 0.60 0.50 percent Feb 2026


Australia Consumer Confidence MoM
The Consumer Sentiment Index is based on a survey of over 1,200 Australian households. The Index is an average of five component indexes which reflect consumers' evaluations of their household financial situation over the past year and the coming year, anticipated economic conditions over the coming year and the next five years, and buying conditions for major household items. The index scores above 100 indicate that optimists outweigh pessimists.
Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
-12.50 1.20 18.00 -17.70 1974 - 2026 percent Monthly
SA

News Stream
Australian Consumer Mood Slumps to 2-1/2-Year Low
Australia’s Westpac–Melbourne Institute Consumer Sentiment Index plunged 12.5% mom to a 2-1/2-year low of 80.1 in April 2026, reversing a 1.2% rise in March. The sharp drop was driven by a surge in fuel prices amid the U.S.–Israel conflict with Iran, as well as a further 25bp rate hike by the Reserve Bank. Household finances weakened sharply, with assessments vs a year ago down 16.7% to 66.8, and expectations for the next 12 months fell 13.9% to 84.0. Meanwhile, views on economic conditions over the next year dropoed 12.4% to 75.3, and the five-year outlook eased 5.1% to 91.4. The “time to buy a major household item” index slid 15.0% to 83.3. Job loss fears climbed 9.7% to a 5-1/2-year high of 147.8. Westpac economist Matthew Hassan noted the current shock is weighing more heavily on labour market expectations than the 2022–24 'cost-of-living crisis'. He expects the central bank to stay focused on inflation, forecasting a 25bp hike in May, with further tightening later this year.
2026-04-14
Australia Consumer Sentiment Bounces Back
Australia’s Westpac–Melbourne Institute Consumer Sentiment Index rose 1.2% mom to 91.6 in March 2026, reversing a 2.6% drop in the prior month and marking the first rise since last November. Household finances were mixed, with assessments up 1.8% to 80.2 compared with a year earlier, but expectations for the next 12 months edged down 0.1% to 97.6. Views on economic conditions over the next year fell 2.9% to 85.9, but the five-year outlook gained 2.4% to 96.3. The “time to buy a major household item” index strengthened 4.9% to 98.0. Unemployment expectations added 3.8% to 134.7. Westpac economist Matthew Hassan said domestic developments have been mixed, with 2025 growth exceeding the central bank’s expectations, though the latest survey suggests consumer momentum is cooling. He also noted rising global uncertainty has disrupted energy supplies and clouded the growth outlook. On balance, Westpac expects the RBA to hold rates in March, with any potential hike likely pushed further out.
2026-03-09
Australia Consumer Sentiment Falls for 3rd Month
Australia’s Westpac–Melbourne Institute Consumer Sentiment Index dropped 2.6% mom in February 2026 to a ten-month low of 90.5, extending January’s 1.7% fall and marking the third straight monthly decline. The latest result highlighted inflation concerns and the impact of the central bank’s 25bp rate hike earlier this month, the first in over two years. Household finances weakened further, with assessments down 4.7% to 78.8 compared with a year earlier, and expectations for the next 12 months slipping 0.1% to 97.7. Meanwhile, views on economic conditions over the next year edged up 0.1% to 88.5, but the five-year outlook fell 2.5% to 94.1. The “time to buy a major household item” index shrank 5.6% to 93.5. Unemployment expectations added 0.3% to 129.8, in line with historical averages. Westpac’s Mathew Hassan said that while another RBA rate hike cannot be ruled out, the board is likely to wait for more data at the March 16–17 meeting, with the next 25bp move potentially coming in May.
2026-02-09