Australian Consumer Confidence Holds Steady at 67.7
The latest national sentiment index remains unchanged as regional variations in economic confidence emerge across the country.
Updated on Oct. 19, 2026 in Spending
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The ANZ-Roy Morgan Consumer Confidence index stayed at 67.7 in mid-October 2026. This figure marks a significant decline from the same period last year.
Why it matters
The index provides a window into the financial health of Australian families, with over half of respondents reporting they are worse off than a year ago. The data highlights a disconnect between slight improvements in buying sentiment and ongoing concerns regarding the performance of the national economy.
The index score of 67.7 sits 4.3 points below the 2026 weekly average of 72.0. While 17% of respondents consider it a good time to buy major household items, 49% of Australians expect bad economic times in the coming year.
The players
ANZ
ANZ is a major multinational banking and financial services company headquartered in Australia.
Roy Morgan
Roy Morgan is a prominent Australian market research company that specialises in public opinion and consumer sentiment data.
The details
Regional trends were split, as confidence levels dipped in New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia but trended upward in Queensland and Western Australia. Despite an overall flat index, net buying intentions saw a 3 percentage point increase.
Timeline
The reporting period for the current index took place from 13-19 October 2026.
The annual comparison was measured against the period of 13-19 October 2025.
Market Dynamics
The current index of 67.7 marks a continued deviation from the 2026 weekly average index of 72.0, underscoring persistent national economic uncertainty. This trend reflects the broader struggle of Australian households to maintain financial stability amid ongoing shifts in the national economic landscape.
The persistent low confidence score suggests that many Australian households may remain cautious with discretionary spending. Investors should note that the majority of Australians do not expect an improvement in their personal financial status in the coming year.
The takeaway
With 56% of families feeling worse off than a year ago, households appear to be prioritising essential expenditures. Readers may benefit from reviewing their own long-term budget projections given the widespread pessimistic outlook regarding the national economy.
Further reading
For more information on national financial trends, visit the Australia Spending section.
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