Australians got numerical proof yesterday of the cost pressures they're feeling across the economy.

Headline inflation accelerated dramatically in March, with consumer prices increasing at an annual pace of 4.6% - up from 3.7% in February.

Transport costs were the biggest driver, with petrol prices jumping more than 30% in March.

But trimmed mean inflation - which is the Reserve Bank's preferred measure - remained steady at 3.3% ahead of an interest rates decision next Tuesday.

• Guest: Sally Auld, NAB Chief Economist