Inflation hits 4.6% high as economist warns homeowners to budget for 'more rate hikes'

Inflation has hit its highest point since 2023, rising from 3.7 per cent to 4.6 per cent in March. New data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) released on 29 April 2026, shows the Consumer Price Index (CPI) climbed 0.9 per cent, mostly driven by higher fuel prices linked to ongoing conflict in the Middle East. In this podcast, SBS Hindi speaks with economist Devika Shivadekar about what this means for consumers and which key signals they should be watching to get a sense of where inflation is heading next.

Representative image of inflation growth in Australia. (The latest inflation hike is expected to trigger a rate rise from the Reserve Bank of Australia next week. (Right top image: Economist Devika Shivadekar) Credit: AAP images/Devika Shivadekar

(Disclaimer: The information given in this interview is of general nature. This information may not be appropriate for your personal circumstances.)

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