RESEARCH BRIEFING Rates to move higher as inflation refuses to play ball in Australia Strong inflation and jobs data delay disinflation, keeping policy restrictive.
Shaista Shaista
Data centers are expanding beyond major cities as tech giants seek lower energy costs, reduced community pushback, and new power solutions for growing AI demand
This report examines the scale and drivers of Australia’s illicit tobacco market and its impact on consumption, government revenue, and public health. It highlights how a widening price gap is accelerating the shift to illicit products and outlines a coordinated policy response to address the issue.
Blog Construction’s Next Big Shift Rising costs, fiscal pressures, and the changing economics of construction. Market capacity to deliver is only part of the story. An equally important question is how the next wave of construction and infrastructure investment will be paid for. – Thomas Westrup Australian infrastructure has ridden a public investment boom… Australian construction work done – … Read more
Australia’s trade surplus increased recently, but softer export demand and rising capital goods imports may put pressure on the outlook.
Explore how slowing global trade growth, China’s export pressures, and accelerating AI investment could reshape world trade volumes through 2026.
US construction forecast highlights for 2025–2034, including infrastructure growth, housing outlook, spending trends, and price and rate projections.
Research Briefing How trade shapes the winners and losers of AI boom Why AI’s biggest trade impact comes from investment cycles, not just innovation leadership
Rising student demand and limited housing availability are pushing rents higher and reinforcing investor confidence in Australia’s student accommodation market.
Global trade is set for a stronger-than-expected rebound, supported by lower US tariffs, continued AI-driven investment, and China’s renewed export push. Our latest forecasts show upgrades to both nominal and volume trade growth in 2025–26, even as legal uncertainty surrounding US tariff mechanisms and evolving geopolitical dynamics pose risks to the outlook.
Wage growth held steady in Q3, reinforcing a still-tight labour market. But with conditions set to soften, we expect unemployment to rise and wage pressures to ease through next year.
To support Australia’s planning for cloud and AI growth, Oxford Economics worked with the market operator to assess future electricity demand from data centres. By combining industry data with insights from network providers, the analysis shows that current connection enquiries significantly overstate the grid demand likely to materialise.
Australia’s outlook is improving as household spending strengthens and property prices surge, though inflation keeps the RBA cautious.
This study demonstrates the economic importance of digital infrastructure by providing a comprehensive analysis of how high-capacity data connectivity underpins Australia’s future prosperity.
We analyse how Telstra InfraCo’s Aura Network -a $1.6 billion nation-building fibre investment supports productivity, innovation, and competitiveness across Australia’s digital economy, while strengthening the nation’s position within the Asia-Pacific region.
Trade disruptions spread across autos and pharma sectors, with EU tariff exemptions giving Europe a competitive edge amid global slowdown.
Australia is poised to become a global leader in green hydrogen, leveraging renewables and innovation to unlock major export and investment potential.
Australia’s unemployment hit 4.5% in September, the highest in nearly four years. As inflation stays elevated, the RBA faces pressure to cut rates in November.
Australia’s economy has strengthened in recent months. Alongside a rise in consumer confidence, household spending momentum has continued in July and August after a strong Q2.
Australia’s 2035 emission targets chart a strong path to net zero but overlook the physical risks of climate change. True resilience means treating climate action not just as an investment, but as insurance for Australia’s economy and way of life.
Global construction faces a near-term contraction as higher rates and tariffs bite, but growth returns in 2026.
