Each week, we scan major outlets for the biggest stories in property, interest rates, regulation and the economy. Expect a clear, no-nonsense recap, context you can trust, and what it may mean for households across the country. Designed for time-poor Australians, it keeps you across market moves, RBA decisions and practical shifts that could impact your budget — all in under ten minutes.
This Week:
This week: one major bank strengthens its call for an RBA cash rate hike in August, with CPI on 29 July likely to decide it. Rents hit fresh records in the June quarter despite a softer housing market, driven by tight vacancies and investor tax changes. Australias biggest bank lifts six‑month term deposit rates but trims longer terms, hinting at shifting rate expectations that can affect fixed‑rate home loans. Action points: compare options now, stress‑test repayments, and consider fixed, variable or split choices with broker support.
Hello and welcome to Mortgage Refinance Weekly Podcast, Im Paige Estritori, its Friday 17 July 2026.
First, one of the big four has doubled down on a call for the Reserve Bank of Australia, the RBA, to lift the cash rate in August. Theyve flagged recent RBA communications and the next Consumer Price Index, or CPI, due 29 July, as the swing factors. The meeting is set for 10 to 11 August. If youre on a variable loan, nows a good time to compare options, run a quick eligibility check, and make sure your repayments still fit comfortably if rates do rise.
Next up, rents re‑accelerated over the June quarter despite the broader housing slowdown. Reports show record highs across capitals, with Sydney house rents around eight‑hundred‑and‑fifty dollars a week and Darwin posting the strongest annual growth. Low vacancy and recent changes to investor tax settings are in the mix. For homeowners with investment properties, review your loan structure and features like offset accounts; for anyone eyeing a first purchase, factor tighter rental conditions into your savings plan and talk to a broker about pathways.
Meanwhile, Australias largest bank boosted six‑month term deposit rates but cut some longer terms. Markets are nudging shorter‑dated rates up while pricing in lower rates further out. That can feed into fixed‑rate home loan pricing. If your fixed term ends soon, consider comparing fixed, variable and split options side‑by‑side to balance certainty with flexibility.
Thats it for this week. For a free comparison and an eligibility check with independent broker support, head to mortgage‑refinance.com.au.
The information on this website is general in nature and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. Consider seeking personal advice from a licensed adviser before acting on any information.
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Knowledgebase
Securities: Financial instruments that represent ownership in a corporation (stocks), a creditor relationship with a corporation or government (bonds), or rights to ownership (options).
