- Credit Use for Essentials Signals Fresh Pressure on Mortgage Holders
Fresh cost-of-living data is a timely reminder that mortgage stress is not always visible in arrears figures alone. New research reported by Savings.com.au shows one in three Australians used credit to cover essential expenses over the past year, while 37% used one form of credit to manage another.
- Westpac’s August Rate Hike Warning Puts Refinancers on Notice
Westpac has sharpened its warning that the Reserve Bank of Australia could lift the cash rate again at its August meeting, adding another layer of uncertainty for mortgage holders already managing higher repayments.
- New-Customer Rate Cuts Put Refinancers Back in Play
The Reserve Bank of Australia’s June pause has not stopped lenders from competing for new mortgage business. While the cash rate remains at 4.
- What Softer House Price Forecasts Mean for Refinancers
Australia’s housing outlook has become more uneven, and that matters for anyone considering a mortgage refinance. Domain’s latest FY27 forecast points to a market shaped less by broad momentum and more by affordability, higher interest rates and local supply conditions.
- RBA Holds Rates, But Refinancers Should Stay Alert
The Reserve Bank of Australia’s June decision has given mortgage holders a moment of breathing space, with the cash rate target left unchanged at 4.35 per cent.
- CommBank's New Serviceability Buffer: What It Means for Refinancers
In a significant move aimed at facilitating the refinancing process for homeowners, Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CommBank) has announced a reduction in its serviceability buffer for eligible refinancers.
- Westpac's Fixed Home Loan Rate Hike: What Borrowers Need to Know
In response to recent inflation data and the potential for further interest rate hikes by the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA), Westpac has announced an increase in its fixed home loan rates. As of 25 February 2026, the bank has raised these rates by up to 0.
- NAB's Interest Rate Forecast: Potential Cuts on the Horizon
In a surprising shift, the National Australia Bank (NAB) has revised its interest rate forecast, now anticipating future cuts due to signs of a cooling economy. This change in outlook suggests potential relief for borrowers who have been facing rising mortgage rates.
- Heartland Bank Reduces Reverse Mortgage Rates Despite RBA Increase
In a notable move within the Australian financial sector, Heartland Bank has announced a reduction in its advertised interest rates for new reverse mortgage customers.
- AMP Bank Reintroduces SuperEdge Loans for SMSF Property Investment
After a seven-year absence, AMP Bank has announced the reintroduction of its SuperEdge loan product, marking a significant return to the Self-Managed Super Fund (SMSF) lending market.
- Surge in Mortgage Refinancing Reflects Australia's Competitive Home Loan Market
In 2025, Australia experienced a significant surge in mortgage refinancing, with 640,137 home loans refinanced—a 20% increase compared to 2024. This trend underscores the intensifying competition within the home loan market, as borrowers actively seek better deals and more favourable terms.
- Non-Bank Lenders Gain Popularity Among Australian Mortgage Refinancers
In February 2026, Australia's mortgage market witnessed a notable shift, with non-bank lenders experiencing a 44% year-on-year increase in refinancing customers. This trend indicates a growing preference among borrowers for alternative lending institutions offering competitive rates and flexible terms.
- Australian Borrowers Opt for Loan Upgrades to Secure Financial Certainty
In March 2026, Australian mortgage holders demonstrated a preference for financial stability by increasingly opting to upgrade their existing loans with current lenders. Data from Equifax revealed a 12.6% year-on-year rise in such mortgage upgrades, nearly double the growth rate of refinancing to new lenders, which stood at 6.9%.
- Understanding APRA's 6x DTI Cap and Its Impact on Borrowers
In an effort to mitigate financial stability risks, the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) has implemented a new policy effective from 1 February 2026, capping the proportion of new residential mortgages with a debt-to-income (DTI) ratio exceeding six times at 20% for authorised deposit-taking institutions (ADIs).
- Macquarie Bank's Strategic Alliance with Brokers Fuels 28% Mortgage Growth
In a notable development within the Australian banking sector, Macquarie Bank has reported a substantial 28% increase in its home loan portfolio, reaching $181.3 billion as of 31 March 2026.
- AFG Achieves Record $31.6 Billion in Home Loan Lodgements
The Australian Finance Group (AFG) has reported a record-breaking $31.6 billion in home loan lodgements during the second quarter of the 2026 financial year, marking a 25% increase over the previous best second-quarter result.
- Understanding the RBA's Latest Cash Rate Hike to 4.35%
The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has announced a 0.25% increase in the cash rate, bringing it to 4.35%. This marks the third consecutive rate hike in 2026, a move aimed at curbing rising inflation pressures.
- Navigating the Upcoming Mortgage Rate Increases Across Australian Lenders
In the wake of the Reserve Bank of Australia's (RBA) recent cash rate increase to 4.35%, a significant number of lenders are set to raise their mortgage rates. Data indicates that over 36 lenders, including major banks and smaller institutions, will implement these increases over the next five weeks.
- How the RBA's Rate Increase to 4.35% May Affect New Mortgage Applications
The Reserve Bank of Australia's (RBA) recent decision to raise the cash rate to 4.35% is expected to have a cooling effect on new mortgage demand. As borrowing costs increase, potential homebuyers may reconsider or delay their property purchase plans.
- Surge in Home Loan Refinancing Among Australians in 2025
In 2025, Australia witnessed an unprecedented surge in home loan refinancing, with over 640,000 homeowners opting to renegotiate or switch their mortgages. This represents a 20% increase compared to the previous year, highlighting a significant shift in borrower behaviour.
- Australian Banks Adjust Home Loan Rates in Response to RBA's Cash Rate Increase
Following the Reserve Bank of Australia's (RBA) decision to raise the official cash rate to 4.10%, major banks including Commonwealth Bank (CBA), ANZ, and National Australia Bank (NAB) have announced increases to their variable home loan interest rates. Effective from 27 March 2026, these banks will implement a 0.
- Westpac Lowers Variable Home Loan Rates to Attract Borrowers
In a strategic move to enhance its competitiveness in the mortgage market, Westpac has announced a reduction in its variable home loan rates.
- Surge in Investor Refinancing Hits Record Levels in Australia
Recent data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) reveals a significant surge in investor refinancing activities, reaching unprecedented levels in the final quarter of 2025. This trend underscores a growing inclination among property investors to restructure their mortgage arrangements to capitalise on favourable market conditions.
- ANZ Adjusts Variable Home Loan Rates in Response to RBA's Cash Rate Increase
ANZ Bank has announced an increase in its variable home loan interest rates, following the Reserve Bank of Australia's (RBA) recent decision to raise the official cash rate. Effective from 13 February 2026, ANZ's variable interest rates will rise by 0.25% per annum.
- Australian Homeowners Rush to Refinance Amidst Rising Interest Rates
In the wake of the Reserve Bank of Australia's (RBA) recent interest rate hikes, there has been a notable surge in home loan refinancing across the country. Homeowners are proactively seeking better mortgage deals to mitigate the impact of rising rates on their financial commitments.
- Great Southern Bank's 40-Year Mortgage: A New Path for First-Time Buyers
In a move aimed at addressing the challenges faced by first-time home buyers, Great Southern Bank has introduced a 40-year home loan. This extended mortgage term is designed to provide more affordable monthly repayments, potentially making homeownership more accessible for younger Australians.
- Westpac's 5.84% Home Loan Rate: A Strategic Move to Attract Refinancers
In a bid to capture a larger share of the refinancing market, Westpac has unveiled a special online refinance rate of 5.84% per annum. This offer is available to new customers with at least 30% equity in their properties, signaling a strategic move to attract borrowers seeking better deals.
- Macquarie Bank's Rate Reduction: A Boost for Home Loan Borrowers
Macquarie Bank has announced a reduction in its variable home loan rates, bringing them down to 5.34% per annum. This move is part of the bank's strategy to offer more competitive products and attract a broader range of borrowers.
