Australian consumer confidence weakened in October, with the Thomson Reuters IPSOS Primary Consumer Sentiment Index (PCSI) slipping to 45.62, down from 48.50 in September 2026. The latest reading, updated on 16 October 2026, signals a month‑over‑month deterioration in sentiment as households grow more cautious.
The October figure marks a clear step down from September’s level, which had previously held at 48.50. On a month‑over‑month basis, the “actual” October reading reflects a fresh decline versus September, while the “previous” comparison relates to how September’s indicator had changed against August. The move below the late‑third‑quarter reading underscores a softening backdrop for spending and economic confidence heading into the final months of the year.
With the index now firmly below the 50-point threshold that typically separates pessimism from optimism, the October data highlight a more guarded mood among Australian consumers compared with the prior month, pointing to potential headwinds for domestic demand if the trend persists.