The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) released the Consumer Price Index (CPI) figures for the December 2025 quarter on 28 January 2026 (for the period 1 October 2025 to 31 December 2025).
Both landlords and tenants may wish to:
- check their leases to see whether a CPI rent review is due using the December 2025 quarter CPI number; and
- if a CPI rent review is due, apply the correct CPI 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 CPI number for Brisbane for the December 2025 quarter is 100.98. The CPI number for the December 2024 quarter was a higher number, as the index reference period is now September 2025, where the CPI number was adjusted to 100.00. This represents an increase of 5.2% over the corresponding quarter for the previous year.
All groups - Perth
The new All Groups CPI number for Perth for the December 2025 quarter is 100.29. Again, the CPI number for the December 2024 quarter was a higher number, as the index reference period is now September 2025, where the CPI number was adjusted to 100.00. This represents an increase of 4.4% over the corresponding quarter for the previous year.
All groups – Weighted average of the eight capital cities
The new All Groups weighted average CPI number for the eight capital cities for the December 2025 quarter is 100.97. By reference to the index reference period of the September 2025 quarter, this equates to an increase of 3.8% over the corresponding quarter for the previous year.
All groups – Capital cities comparison
In relation to All Groups CPI for each capital city, Brisbane has recorded the largest increase (5.2%) over the corresponding quarter for the previous year, followed by Perth (4.4%) and Hobart (3.8%). Melbourne and Darwin recorded the lowest increase (3.1%). The other capital cities ranged from a 3.3% increase (Adelaide and Canberra) to a 3.7% increase (Sydney).
In the month of December 2025, the CPI rose 1.0% in original terms and rose 0.2% in seasonally adjusted terms. As noted above, over the last twelve months to the December 2025 quarter, the Consumer Price Index rose 3.8%.
The previously published quarterly data has been re-referenced and aligned to a new monthly CPI series. September 2025 serves as the link period where the index equals 100.00. While the level of the quarterly indexes has changed due to re-referencing, the percentage movements of the index have not been revised.
A summary of the percentage increases for the eight capital cities is provided below:
| City | CPI for December 2025 | Annual percentage increase |
|---|---|---|
| Sydney | 101.19 | 3.7% |
| Melbourne | 100.98 | 3.1% |
| Brisbane | 100.98 | 5.2% |
| Adelaide | 101.00 | 3.3% |
| Perth | 100.29 | 4.4% |
| Hobart | 101.17 | 3.8% |
| Darwin | 100.71 | 3.1% |
| Canberra | 100.97 | 3.3% |
A detailed breakdown of the CPI figures is available on the Australian Bureau of Statistics website.