Australian consumer confidence rose last week, but global uncertainties cloud households' financial outlook, according to a survey by ANZ Research and Roy Morgan Research published Tuesday.

The ANZ-Roy Morgan Consumer Confidence Index rose to 84.2 in the week of March 17 to 23 from 83.8 in the prior week.

The gain was driven by the "time to buy a major household item" sub-index, which rose to 83.4 from 81 on the back of sales events during the survey period.

The year-ahead financial situation sub-index improved to 99.2 from 98.4.

However, the four-week moving average fell to 85.7 from 87.1, its lowest level since October 2024.

"Global uncertainty may be weighing on confidence," said ANZ economist Sophia Angala. "Households are feeling less confident in their financial and economic conditions, with all financial and economic outlook subindices now sitting below their H2 2024 averages," Angala added.

Meanwhile, inflation expectations over the next two years rose to 4.9% from 4.8%.