Microsoft cuts Australian cloud prices 4% and lifts NZ and India from January

Microsoft will reduce commercial cloud prices charged in Australian dollars by 4 per cent from 1 January 2027, according to a notice it published on 10 November 2026. The notice lifts rupee pricing by 15.7 per cent and New Zealand dollar pricing by 10 per cent, and lowers Norwegian krone pricing by 5.9 per cent and Chinese yuan pricing by up to 8.5 per cent. Microsoft says the goal is to realign local prices with its global levels.

On-premises prices do not change in Australian dollars, Chinese yuan or Norwegian krone. In New Zealand, on-premises prices go up 10 per cent, while Indian on-premises prices rise by up to 20 per cent. Microsoft cautions that the figure for any single SKU might differ slightly because of its pricing calculations and rounding rules. The yuan cut applies to Microsoft's global cloud services and to the Microsoft Cloud operated by 21Vianet, but excludes Microsoft Azure operated by 21Vianet.

The more significant change is when prices move. Microsoft announced in July that it would review local currency prices once a year and set them each January, instead of adjusting whenever exchange rates shifted enough, and this is the first round under that approach. Microsoft describes the aim as prices that are "competitive and regionally consistent". TrustList observed that in practice a currency that has weakened against the US dollar pays more, and one that has held up pays less. The Register flagged a downside: a currency that is weak against the dollar on 1 January could leave prices elevated for the whole year.

Two currencies fall outside the January cycle. Brazilian real prices will be reviewed once Brazil's tax reform takes effect, and the yen remains on an April schedule, with April 2027 details due in February 2027. Microsoft says it will issue guidance on the following year's prices every November.

Tbreak Media noted that Microsoft's post does not list the products affected or provide new list prices. TrustList said the post is also silent on how existing agreements are treated, so customers must check their contracts. It suggested that buyers billed in rupees or New Zealand dollars ask their partner whether renewals, seat expansions or Azure commitments due early in 2027 can be placed in December.