National Australia Bank Says Cost-of-Living Stress Hits 12-Year High as Australians Switch and Spend Less
National Australia Bank’s Consumer Stress Index rose to 59.1 in the March quarter, its highest in over a decade, as cost-of-living pressures hit 71.8, the worst since 2014. The survey, conducted before a recent fuel price spike, found 57% of Australians switched at least one provider due to rising costs. Major banks raised variable mortgage rates after the Reserve Bank’s March rate hike. Job-security stress eased to its lowest since 2021.