Inflation Calculator Australia
Find out what money from one year is worth in another, using official Australian CPI figures from 1950 to 2026.
Uses calendar-year averages of the ABS Consumer Price Index (All groups, eight capital cities). 2026 uses the latest month, August 2026. Figures before about 1980 are rounded, so treat early results as approximate.
Printed from ClearCalc (clearcalc.com.au/inflation-calculator/). Estimates only, not financial advice.
How the inflation calculator works
Inflation is the rise in the general level of prices over time. In Australia it's measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI), published by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. The calculator divides the CPI in your end year by the CPI in your start year and multiplies your amount by the result. For example, the average CPI was 71.5 in 2000 and 142.6 in 2025, so $100 in 2000 is worth about $199 in 2025 dollars. Prices roughly doubled in 25 years, an average of about 2.8% a year.
Why use annual averages?
The CPI moves every month and quarter. Using the average of each calendar year smooths out short-term swings, such as the dip in mid-2020 when free childcare was introduced. If you need an exact match to a particular quarter or month, use the ABS figures directly.
What inflation means for your money
- Savings: if your savings rate is below inflation, your money loses buying power even as the balance grows. Compare rates with the compound interest calculator.
- Pay: a pay rise below inflation is a real pay cut. Use the pay calculator to see your take-home pay.
- Long-term plans: our super calculator and investment calculator show results in today's dollars for this reason.
Australian inflation since 1950
Inflation was highest in the 1970s and early 1980s, often over 10% a year. Since the Reserve Bank adopted its 2–3% target in the early 1990s, it has mostly stayed in that band, apart from the spike to 7.8% in 2022. In the 12 months to August 2026 the CPI rose 4.0%.
Show the annual CPI table (2011–12 = 100)
| Year | CPI (annual average) | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 4.4 | – |
| 1951 | 5.2 | +18.2% |
| 1952 | 6.1 | +17.3% |
| 1953 | 6.4 | +4.9% |
| 1954 | 6.5 | +1.6% |
| 1955 | 6.6 | +1.5% |
| 1956 | 7.0 | +6.1% |
| 1957 | 7.2 | +2.9% |
| 1958 | 7.2 | +0.0% |
| 1959 | 7.4 | +2.8% |
| 1960 | 7.7 | +4.1% |
| 1961 | 7.8 | +1.3% |
| 1962 | 7.8 | +0.0% |
| 1963 | 7.9 | +1.3% |
| 1964 | 8.1 | +2.5% |
| 1965 | 8.4 | +3.7% |
| 1966 | 8.6 | +2.4% |
| 1967 | 8.9 | +3.5% |
| 1968 | 9.2 | +3.4% |
| 1969 | 9.5 | +3.3% |
| 1970 | 9.8 | +3.2% |
| 1971 | 10.4 | +6.1% |
| 1972 | 11.0 | +5.8% |
| 1973 | 12.0 | +9.1% |
| 1974 | 13.9 | +15.8% |
| 1975 | 16.0 | +15.1% |
| 1976 | 18.1 | +13.1% |
| 1977 | 20.3 | +12.2% |
| 1978 | 21.9 | +7.9% |
| 1979 | 23.9 | +9.1% |
| 1980 | 26.4 | +10.5% |
| 1981 | 28.9 | +9.5% |
| 1982 | 32.1 | +11.1% |
| 1983 | 35.4 | +10.3% |
| 1984 | 36.8 | +4.0% |
| 1985 | 39.2 | +6.5% |
| 1986 | 42.8 | +9.2% |
| 1987 | 46.4 | +8.4% |
| 1988 | 49.8 | +7.3% |
| 1989 | 53.5 | +7.4% |
| 1990 | 57.5 | +7.5% |
| 1991 | 59.3 | +3.1% |
| 1992 | 59.9 | +1.0% |
| 1993 | 60.9 | +1.7% |
| 1994 | 62.1 | +2.0% |
| 1995 | 65.0 | +4.7% |
| 1996 | 66.7 | +2.6% |
| 1997 | 66.9 | +0.3% |
| 1998 | 67.4 | +0.7% |
| 1999 | 68.4 | +1.5% |
| 2000 | 71.5 | +4.5% |
| 2001 | 74.6 | +4.3% |
| 2002 | 76.9 | +3.1% |
| 2003 | 79.0 | +2.7% |
| 2004 | 80.8 | +2.3% |
| 2005 | 83.0 | +2.7% |
| 2006 | 85.9 | +3.5% |
| 2007 | 87.9 | +2.3% |
| 2008 | 91.8 | +4.4% |
| 2009 | 93.4 | +1.7% |
| 2010 | 96.1 | +2.9% |
| 2011 | 99.3 | +3.3% |
| 2012 | 101.0 | +1.7% |
| 2013 | 103.5 | +2.5% |
| 2014 | 106.1 | +2.5% |
| 2015 | 107.7 | +1.5% |
| 2016 | 109.0 | +1.3% |
| 2017 | 111.2 | +2.0% |
| 2018 | 113.3 | +1.9% |
| 2019 | 115.1 | +1.6% |
| 2020 | 116.1 | +0.8% |
| 2021 | 119.4 | +2.9% |
| 2022 | 127.3 | +6.6% |
| 2023 | 134.4 | +5.6% |
| 2024 | 138.7 | +3.2% |
| 2025 | 142.6 | +2.8% |
| 2026 (Aug) | 149.0 | latest month |
Index values are calendar-year averages of the ABS All groups CPI (weighted average of eight capital cities, catalogue 6401.0), on the 2011–12 = 100 basis. The ABS re-based the CPI to September 2025 = 100 in December 2025. The 2025 December quarter and August 2026 values were converted to the old basis using the ABS conversion factor, so they may differ from published figures by a rounding amount.
Sources: ABS – Consumer Price Index, Australia, ABS – Re-referencing the quarterly CPI, ABS – CPI, June Quarter 2025.
Frequently asked questions
How much is $100 in 1990 worth today?
Using annual averages, $100 in 1990 is worth about $248 in 2025 dollars. Prices rose about 148% over that time.
Where does the CPI data come from?
From the Australian Bureau of Statistics' Consumer Price Index (catalogue 6401.0), which tracks the prices of a basket of goods and services bought by households in the eight capital cities.
Why is my result different from the RBA's inflation calculator?
The RBA calculator can use quarterly figures, while this one uses calendar-year averages. Small differences are normal, especially for early years where the index is rounded.
What was inflation in 2025?
The average CPI for 2025 was about 2.8% higher than for 2024. Over the 12 months to December 2025, monthly CPI rose 3.8%.
Official sources used for this calculator include: ATO – Super for individuals, Moneysmart – How super works. See how we calculate.
Reviewed by the ClearCalc team. Last reviewed October 2026. This calculator gives an estimate for general information only. Check important figures with the relevant government agency or a licensed professional.