Company gross operating profits defied the COVID-19 delta variant in the September quarter by rising 4 per cent, led by construction and professional services and bolstered by $10 billion in government support.

Households had a tougher time. Wages paid fell 0.8 per cent, and last week the average price of petrol rose 4.2¢ to a record high 170.4¢ a litre, with bowser records broken in Brisbane, Melbourne and Hobart.