You might have thought you won't notice carbon tax fuelled price increases until your first electricity bill arrives, but we're being told to think again.

According to Innes Willox, chief executive of the Australian Industry Group, "it's not just utilities, but retail, manufacturing, service industries – 42 per cent of businesses have said they will put up their prices because of the carbon tax."

The family Sunday roast test is telling. A leg of lamb has risen by fifteen cents; the vegetables by ten cents; and a six-pack of beer, or a bottle of wine- seven cents.

• Carbon tax guide
• National power price investigation
• Power price hikes

An overall increase of 32 cents might not stop the weekly roast, but industry groups are saying it all adds up.

"Other than fresh produce, manufacturing, anything you can think of that requires metals and plastics, these costs are rising," Willox said.

The Australian dream has just become a little more distant. The tax has added $3,667 to the cost of an average home, with labour, bricks, and concrete all on the rise.

• Average increase overall - $3667
• Labour cost s- $613
• Bricks - $505
• Concrete - $501

All are legitimate increases but the Government's consumer watchdog warns consumers and businesses to question and report dubious price hikes.

“We've set up a Carbon Claims hotline on 1300 303 609 and businesses and consumers can ring in if they've got queries on either how carbon price works for their business, their rights in regards to that, or secondly if they've got a complaint or a query about a particular business,” Michael Schaper from the ACCC said.

Today Tonight's latest tax stories