Consumer confidence has taken a dip, with worries about household finances emerging despite a more optimistic outlook for the economy.
The ANZ-Roy Morgan consumer confidence index fell 0.3 per cent in the week ending March 20, bringing an end to the strong gains made in the previous fortnight.
But while the index slipped to 116.0, confidence levels remain above their long-range average.
ANZ chief economist Felicity Emmett says confidence still looks quite healthy, aided by last week's data showing a drop in the unemployment rate to 5.8 per cent in February.
Recovering equity markets and lower petrol prices were also keep confidence above the long-run average.
"Looking forward, the government's decision to bring forward the budget has brought it into the spotlight, along with the prospect of a double dissolution election," Ms Emmett said.
"The news flow around both these events over the next few months is likely to play an important role in shaping consumer confidence."
Ms Emmett said Australians' confidence in the economic outlook had been steadily improving over the past six weeks.
The sub-index covering views about the economy over the next 12 months rose 3.3 per cent, while the outlook on the next five years climbed 2.7 per cent.
However households' views of their finances fell three per cent last week, with confidence in the 12 month outlook down 5.7 per cent.
People surveyed were a little more confident in their current personal finances compared to a year ago, with that measure rising 0.4 per cent.
