Inflation emerged as the single most pressing concern for Australians across the three waves of a new survey by the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA), with around two-thirds of respondents citing it as one of their top three economic concerns, according to a Wednesday report.

Inflation was also identified as the most prominent concern across all key demographic groups. Respondents who cited inflation as one of their top concerns were more likely to expect both economic conditions and their own household financial situation to worsen over the next 12 months.

The survey was designed to be nationally representative, with respondents selected to reflect the Australian population across a range of demographic characteristics, including age, income, location, and

gender. It began in February 2025, was repeated in September 2025, and then again in February and March.

Employment and wages concerns were more prominent among younger respondents between the ages of 18 and 44, while housing was another frequently cited concern, particularly among renters and younger cohorts.

The survey identified relatively high levels of public understanding of how interest rates affect economic activity and employment, but revealed a gap in respondents' understanding of how interest rates impact inflation, with only 25% assessing correctly that higher interest rates would ultimately lead to lower inflation.

It also showed that awareness of the RBA and its price stability mandate was high, but other responsibilities were less visible. Most respondents reported moderate-to-high levels of trust in the central bank, with a median score of six out of 10 in all three survey waves, with 0 representing "no trust at all" and 10 "trust completely."

The central bank will use the findings to aid its communication and engagement with the public.