Australia Inflation 3.8%: Energy Bills, RBA Rates and What It Means for You

Australia’s annual inflation has risen to 3.8% in the year to October, with higher electricity prices and fading power bill rebates driving much of the increase. In this video, we break down what the new inflation figures mean for Australian households, mortgage holders, renters and small businesses.
First, you’ll see a clear explanation of how inflation climbed from 3.6% to 3.8% and why electricity prices are around 37% higher after state government rebates wound back. Then we look at underlying inflation, which has ticked up to about 3.3%, and why that matters more to the Reserve Bank of Australia than one-off price spikes.
Next, we unpack how this unexpected rise in price pressures is reducing hopes for interest rate cuts and even raising the risk that the next RBA move could be up rather than down. You’ll hear what this could mean for your mortgage repayments, credit card interest, and the broader housing market.
We also cover the government’s response: Treasurer Jim Chalmers has signalled that further energy bill subsidies and extensions of the energy relief fund are on the table in the upcoming midyear budget, even while saying they won’t be a permanent feature. You’ll learn who might qualify for extra electricity bill relief, how much support has been offered so far, and the political debate over whether subsidies should continue.
Finally, the video ends with practical tips on how to adapt your budget to higher power bills and persistent inflation, plus what to watch for in the next RBA meetings and inflation releases. If you want clear, Australia-focused analysis on inflation, interest rates and energy bills, this video is for you.