Australia’s inflation still stubbornly high

The latest inflation data will offer little comfort for Australians right now, particularly with February’s rate hike still fresh in their minds, writes Terry Rawnsley.

Headline inflation has remained steady at 3.8 percent in January, unchanged from December. While core inflation, which is the Reserve Bank of Australia's (RBA) preferred measure, rose to 3.4 percent, up from 3.3 percent in December - and is still well above the RBA's target band. The largest contributor, housing, up 6.8 percent, followed by food and non-alcoholic beverages, up 3.1 percent, and recreation and culture, up 3.7 percent. This is not the news households will be wanting to hear, ...

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Authors: Terry Rawnsley

Published Date: 26 February 2026