Westpac Consumer Confidence Change
A monthly Australian consumer-confidence indicator showing how household sentiment has changed from the previous month.
Full explanation
Westpac Consumer Confidence Change tracks the monthly percentage change in the Westpac–Melbourne Institute Consumer Sentiment Index, a survey-based gauge of how Australian households feel about their finances and the wider economy. The index is intended to show whether consumers are becoming more or less confident, which can influence saving and spending behaviour. It is produced through the long-running Westpac and Melbourne Institute partnership and covers consumer views on current conditions, expectations and related issues such as unemployment, interest rates and housing. A level around 100 is often treated as a dividing line between more optimists than pessimists and more pessimists than optimists, while the “change” figure highlights the move from the previous month.
Why traders watch it
Traders watch this release because consumer confidence can affect expectations for Australian household spending, growth momentum and Reserve Bank of Australia policy risks. Large surprises may influence AUD, local rates and equity-index sentiment, especially when the move is linked to interest-rate, labour-market or housing expectations.
Stronger vs weaker outcomes
A stronger-than-expected change may suggest households are becoming less cautious and could support a firmer view of consumption and growth. A weaker-than-expected change may suggest more caution among consumers, particularly if expectations for family finances, employment or major purchases deteriorate at the same time.
Typical volatility
Moderate. Consumer sentiment is a survey indicator, so it can move with news headlines, political events, petrol prices, rate-decision timing or one-off shocks. It should be read alongside hard spending, labour-market and inflation data, and the index level may matter as much as the monthly percentage change.
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