Cost and standard of living
Alternative labels
Cost of living
Household expenses
Living standards
Standard of living
Report
Queensland Budget 2026–27: Budget strategy and outlook
The Budget strategy and outlook provides the context and background of the Queensland Budget. This includes the Government’s fiscal and economic plan, key priorities, an overview of revenue and expenses and the financial statements for the Queensland Government as a whole.
Report
NSW Budget 2026–27: Overview
The New South Wales (NSW) 2026–27 Budget outlines economic priorities and major investments in health, education, housing, transport and regional recovery. It aims to provide relief now for immediate cost-of-living pressures and long-term reform to make NSW more secure.
Report
WA State Budget overview: 2026–27
The overview outlines the economic and fiscal outlook, and key initiatives for the 2026-27 Budget year. The Budget delivers cost of living relief for Western Australians, and continues to deliver on the priorities of housing, health and jobs. Despite geopolitical and economic uncertainty across the world, Western Australia's economy remains the strongest in the nation.
Report
Victorian Budget 2026/27: Overview
The Budget overview summarises the state’s economic and fiscal outlook, and the Victorian Government’s strategic priorities and objectives. The Strategy and outlook paper outlines the state's current and expected economic and financial performance and outlines the Government's fiscal and economic strategy. The Budget is focused on making life easier, safer and more affordable.
Briefing paper
Budget betrayal: how young people are getting ripped off
This year, the Australian Government is saying the budget will restore 'intergenerational equity'. This analysis argues that policies presented as promoting ‘intergenerational equity’ are failing to address the structural drivers of inequality. It presents recent polling indicating that young Australians are worried about burgeoning public debt. The paper proposes alternative policies to deliver intergenerational fairness.