The Essentials Strain: Can Australians Still Afford to Live and Eat?
Hong Jie Kok
2025-06-04
Why Does Everything Feel More Expensive?
Over the past few years, prices in Australia have gone up across
housing, groceries, services, nearly everything.
Even though inflation is easing overall, key everyday costs remain
high.
This story explores:
- How inflation in Australia has changed over time
- Why rent has stayed stubbornly high
- How grocery prices continue to strain household budgets
Goal:
To show how essential living costs especially rent and food, are shaping
the Australian cost-of-living crisis in 2025.
Why Did Prices Peak?
Why did this happen?
- COVID disrupted supply chains
- Energy prices surged
- People started spending again after lockdowns
Inflation is going down… but are our lives really getting cheaper?
How This Feels in Real Life
Life is getting harder for everyone.
Behind the numbers are real people still feeling the pressure.
- Families are spending more just to get the same groceries
- Renters are staying longer in shared housing to save money
- Some are cutting out meat or skipping meals
- Others are dipping into savings or going into debt
“We’re spending more and getting less. It’s like we’re stuck.”
– Young renter, Melbourne
So What’s Next?
- Current policies must do more to ease pressure on households
- CPI reporting should highlight essentials like rent and food
- More support is needed for Australians still struggling every day
Slowing inflation is good news —
but it doesn’t mean the crisis is over.
