FX.co ★ Australia Inflation Gauge Jumps to Record High

Australia’s Monthly Inflation Gauge, compiled by the Melbourne Institute, rose 1.3% month-on-month in March 2026, reversing a 0.2% decline in February and marking the steepest increase on record. The sharp rebound indicates renewed price pressures emerging since the second half of 2025, driven in part by higher fuel and transport costs and persistent supply-side disruptions. Elevated uncertainty surrounding the Middle East conflict has also pushed up global energy prices, heightening the risk of imported inflation for Australia. On an annual basis, inflation registered 3.7% in February, only slightly below January’s 3.8% and still above the Reserve Bank of Australia’s 2–3% target band, underscoring the persistence of underlying price pressures despite earlier signs of moderation.