Fears about job security are weighing on Australians but cheap petrol should help to lift spirits.

Consumer confidence picked up a little last week but it still remains below levels seen in November, figures on Tuesday show.

Confidence rose 1.4 per cent to 111.7, according to ANZ/Roy Morgan’s first weekly consumer confidence survey for 2015.

The figures were disappointing, ANZ chief economist, Warren Hogan said.

He said cheap petrol prices should give confidence a boost although sentiment wasn’t likely to improve until the jobs market picked up.

“The lack of a more solid rebound in consumer confidence is disappointing given anecdotes of decent retail spending over the Christmas period and a significant drop in the price of petrol,” Hogan said.

“We still expect lower fuel prices to filter through to confidence in coming weeks.

“Ultimately, confidence is unlikely to rise without a stabilisation in the unemployment rate.”

AAP